FA Cup Preview - Brentford
By Ali Kazemi

Coming into the opening round of the FA Cup 'proper' Geoff Chapple's Kingstonian received a tough draw, yet one which seemed appreciated by the majority of fans of the club. Local league side Brentford are an ideal candidate to continue the good FA Cup form of the 90's shown by the Conference side. K's have enjoyed good performances and results against Brentford in recent friendlies, though that counts for nothing going into the game. In order to pull off a decent result, this seasons poor form will have to be swept cleanly away, and only then will Kingstonian have a chance of causing an upset.

There is no doubting the quality through the Kingstonian side, though they have flattered to deceive so far this season. Stuck in a poor run from early on in the campaign, K's have only recently threatened to break out of their sticky patch, though not enough good performances and results have come together yet. One hopes that things will come right sooner rather than later, and it seems as though Brentford will be the first time this season when all first team players will be available for selection.

Three key players can immediately be identified in England semi-pro international trio, Steve Farrelly, Gary Patterson and Geoff Pitcher. Big Steve in goal missed the start of the season with injury and is returning from a rather harsh three match suspension. His commanding presence in the air exudes confidence, and his agility and reflexes are excellent. Beating Steve is no mean feat, though with a defensive unit that has had to be chopped and changed by game, the lack of continuity as a unit this season may still prove to be a factor. Gary Patterson is now club captain, and commitment and battle best describe his key qualities in holding the team together. Working alongside him in the bet midfield in non-league football is Geoff Pitcher, the creative spirit in the side, though again, one not shy of working hard for the cause.

The passing game on which Kingstonian have become renowned for in the Conference has been a hallmark of Chapple's team, but there are variations available as required. The quick brains and quick feet of Phil Wingfield and Eddie Akuamoah offer outlets in wing and forward positions, and the Pitcher-Patterson midfield can take a game and dominate it. Since the departure of Dave Leworthy in the summer, goalscoring has not been prolific, and K's always seem to be more of a 'creating' rather than 'taking' kind of side.

The Kingstonian squad is small, but with seemingly everyone at last set to be available, the players should fit into Chapple's favoured 5-3-2 formation, thought don't rule out a 4-4-2. The key issues seem to be at the heart of defence and up front. At the back, the unit has been prone to lapses of concentration and a lack of speed, but when things go right, the centre backs are good enough to pull for one another. Up front, strikers have suddenly become somewhat of a rare commodity, though Akuamoah and Wingfield can fill in. Main striker Sammy Winston has performed well, though not yet weighed in much in terms of goals, and it has to be seen as to whether promising youngster Ronnie Green will be given a chance to show us his best.

Hopefully a sizeable crowd will be there to support the local sides in what may well be a closely fought game. What K's need to do is get the simple things right - tight at the back, and decisive up front. I'm sure that we'll get one of them right on the day, and enough to get a draw to bring the Bees back to Kingsmeadow.