Kings Hill suffer narrow cup defeat to Kent United
Kings Hill 1 v 2 Kent United
Kings Hill’s ambitions for cup success this season were ended as they were defeated by an impressive Kent United side in the Inter Regional Challenge Cup, despite a spirited second half effort. On a dull afternoon at the Sports Park, Kings Hill made two enforced changes to the starting eleven with Max Sutton and George Sibley replaced by Charlie Hatton and Eroms Amros, who were both returning from suspension. An energetic and technical visiting team started the brightest and made it difficult for Kings Hill to find their tempo. However, they could not make their dominance pay and gradually Kings Hill established a foothold in the match. This nearly paid dividends around the half hour mark when Will Seage got behind the visitors high defensive line and rattled a shot against the crossbar.
However, momentum shifted significantly back to the visitors when midfielder Keaton Courtman was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for dissent, making a tough match even tougher for the Spitfires. This was compounded with Kent United then scoring twice before half time, both goals from neat finishes after parries by the home goalkeeper, Harvey Mills. 2-0 down at the break and with ten men, the hosts were left with a mountain to climb.
Kings Hill changed shape at half time and also introduced Ollie Aston to the front line. To their credit the hosts showed great spirit and, with Aston and Charlie Hatton in tandem up front, they were starting to cause problems for the visitors. Morgan Williamson forced a smart save from the visiting goalkeeper with a long range effort before a precise through ball from Kieron Kennerley put Aston behind the visitors defence and he slotted home to give Kings Hill hope. Soon afterwards, Hatton glanced a header from a free kick past the post and then pulled a shot just wide of the right hand post from a tight angle. Kings Hill made changes, using all five substitutes, but this was the closest they came and, in truth, the visitors looked comfortable in the closing minutes. In the end, trying to come from behind being a man down proved too big an ask and the team is left to build on their solid league form to date.
