Tonbridge Angels 2 Chippenham Town 0

Match 109/21/1973 - Saturday, 19th March 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Wood 11 Coombes 58
Chippenham Town (0) 0
Attendance: 700
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/6,333

There wasn’t a Tonbridge supporter among the 700 attendance that was not aware of the importance of these three points deservedly won against play-off chasing Chippenham Town. But for those that hadn’t been busily checking their phones for 90 minutes the realisation that Billericay, Welling and Bath had also won gave an even greater sense of relief.

Steve McKimm restored Tommy Wood to the starting line-up, pairing him upfront from the outset with Adam Coombes for the first time and Jamie Fielding came back into the side with Jerry O’Sullivan taking his place on the bench.

A third minute warning was posted to the visitors when they conceded a free kick, to which they played a very high line and pushed forward looking for an offside. This particular set piece was cleared but the flaw in their plan was identified and when, in the 11th minute, another free kick was awarded, Wood made a run from deep whilst the Chippenham defence stood statuesque looking for the offside decision. In an acre of space, the Tonbridge striker took down the lofted free kick from Tom Beere and belted it past the exposed goalkeeper, Will Henry.

A six minute delay in play ensued after 16 minutes with Chippenham’s Callum Gunner requiring a stretcher for what looked a quite serious injury.

Tonbridge were the dominant side and Coombes headed over and a Joe Turner shot cleared the bar before the visitors were very nearly undone again by their offside trap plan as Wood got clear but this time the flag did come to their rescue, albeit that it was a very tight decision.

After 35 minutes, from a Beere corner, Sonny Miles saw his header plucked out of the air by Henry and in, time added, Chippenham substitute Oluwasegun Lawal broke clear but the home defence was quick to snuff out the threat.

There were half chances for both sides in the early part of the second period before the Angels doubled their advantage after 58 minutes. A perfectly flighted free kick from Beere from 35 yards out found the diving header of Coombes to direct into the bottom corner. A goal each for both strikers, a very sweet affirmation of McKimm’s decision to play them together for the first time.

Certainly, there was indecision from the visiting defence each time the ball was delivered and another Beere cross saw a desperate save from Henry followed a scramble in front of goal.

The game drifted almost without incident to its conclusion, for which the Tonbridge support would have been grateful, with Chippenham showing very little of the threat that put four goals past Dartford last Saturday.

Three welcome points that maintains that little bit of breathing space.

Pictures: Wes Filtness

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