- FA CUP proper beckons

Suspended Ks midfield player Geoff Pitcher.Photopress

Kingstonian are just one game away from the First Round of the FA Cupand the chance to have a crack at Football League sides.

The Ks face a tricky away tie at Ryman Premier high fliers St AlbansCity in the final qualifying round after beating Maidenhead 4-2 onSaturday.

Geoff Chapple's side must fancy their chances after completing thedouble over St Albans last season - 5-0 at Kingsmeadow and 3-0 awayfrom home.

But he said: "That away game was a very difficult match because wewere only 1-0 up and hanging on before getting two in the last minute.

"They are a good side and they have scored a lot of goals thisseason."

Chapple, who claimed some notable scalps during his 13 years at Woking,has fond memories of a 4-2 win at West Brom followed by a narrow defeat atEverton in front of 35,000 fans as well as a draw at Premiership sideCoventry.

He said: "It would be lovely to rekindle some of those memories."

This weekend Ks, currently fourth in the Conference table, have a chanceto cement their strong position and exert pressure on the leaders whenthey take on Welling United at Kingsmeadow.

The Kent side have only won two league games all season but they will beno pushovers after recording eight draws in their 15 fixtures so far thisyear.

Chapple predicted a tough game on Saturday and he will be missingsuspended midfield dynamo Geoff Pitcher.

But Eddie Akuamoah, who had recovered sufficiently from his ankle injuryto sit on the bench at Maidenhead last week, should be fit.

Ks were guests of honour at Kingston's Guildhall on Wednesday tomeet the Mayor, Councillor David Cunningham.

Look out for our photographer at Kingsmeadow tomorrow. If he picks yourface from the crowd you could win £10. A picture of the winner willbe in next week's Comet.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.