Lowestoft Town (0) 0
Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 80
Attendance: 521
Entrance: £8 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 320/2,087
New Ground: 294
Match Report
It's a long old trot up to Lowestoft from Kent and various hold-ups along the way, the Dartford Tunnel on this occasion being not guilty, took the journey time to 3.5 hours, thus scuppering our plans for a fish and chip lunch on the seafront.
There was a pleasant welcome at Crown Meadow and inside a good looking football ground that housed a main grandstand seating 466 with a terraced covered enclosure alongside. Behind one goal, there is the smallest of covered areas, it was so low that I doubt if I could have actually stood upright underneath. The length of the pitch on the dug-outs side was uncovered.
In the background behind the main stand a wind turbine was visible, spinning at a rate that was testament to the stiff breeze. Tonbridge played with the wind in the first period and consequently had the majority of the attacking play. Steve McKimm made two enforced changes, James Folkes returning to replace Ugo Udoji and Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson (BFT) in for Damian Scannell.
Nicky Wheeler was the first to test a giant goalkeeper, Jake Jessup, with a low shot that he fumbled between his legs. With the super-heavyweight boxing final at the Olympics imminent, I imagined a match between him and Canvey's goalkeeper, Connor Gough, might make for a good contest.
Tonbridge were exerting a good deal of pressure, BFT had a couple of half-chances, Nathan Elder shot over and when a clearance from Anthony Di Bernardo caught the wind, Luke Blewden was in the clear and rounded the goalkeeper only for the angle to be just too acute.
Lowestoft's best chance of the half came just prior to the break when a cross from the right alluded the head of the onrushing striker.
Having failed to gain an advantage during the wind-assisted half, it was expected that there would be a reversal in domination, but, in truth, Tonbridge remained comfortable and an early chance went begging when Wheeler's corner found the head of Elder, but the big striker's effort cleared the bar.
The half did progress more evenly, but it continued to be the visitors that created the clearer chances and Jessup needed to be alert to save Sonny Miles' downward header.
Lowestoft created their best chance of the match after 78 minutes when a cross into the box evaded everyone and landed at the feet of Jake Reed whose snatched shot failed to test Di Bernardo.
The only goal came with 10 minutes remaining. A beautifully cushioned pass from substitute Tommy Whitnell gave space for BFT to pin-point a cross onto the head of Elder who buried it into the corner powerfully.
The visiting supporters hearts were in their mouths when a minute of added time remained, the home side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but that was only guided into the safe hands of Di Bernardo. One final act remained when the Trawlerboys were offered one last shooting chance but Ryan Jarvis dragged his shot wide to the relief of the travelling faithful who greeted both the final whistle and their team joyously.
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