Dover Athletic (1) 1 Higgs 7
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Walters
Attendance: 773
Admission: £14
Programme: None
Mileage: 78/1,317
It is a footballing cliche that nothing is won in August (number 22 in fact) but with Tonbridge Angels equal third (I’m not having any of this fourth on alphabetical order nonsense) and that, their highest-ever position in National League South, why not celebrate the moment?
Three successive away games before their return to the now hallowed 3G on Saturday has yielded seven points when most, if not all, would have bitten hands off for four.
This win at Dover Athletic, the first since David Ijaha’s 90th minute winner on New Year’s Day 2013 was satisfying on so many levels. The Crabble club were inhospitable hosts which included making the visiting chairman, Dave Netherstreet, pay on the gate to some pretty rough house tactics on the pitch that led to five bookings for the home side and (cliche 28) handbags at full time. Even the after match interviews ended up in darkness as a jobsworth steward ordered the floodlights to be turned off.
After the sweltering heat of Saturday, a Tuesday evening on the East Kent coast with a balmy 24degC brought to a halt the water breaks although several hefty challenges brought lengthy medical attention that served the same purpose.
Jay Saunders shuffled his pack after Saturday’s toils at Saharan Slough with Louis Collins, Manny Maja and Tushaun Walters coming into the side with Femi Akinwande and TQ Addy dropping to the bench whilst Tommy Parkinson was on crutches and in a protective boot following his injury at Slough.
Dover went in front after seven minutes with a stunning strike from Jordan Higgs from about 30 yards that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar past a helpless Jonny Henly.
James Taylor added to the Angels’ worryingly lengthening injury list when he limped out of the action after 11 minutes. All of sudden, what looked a top heavy midfield looks a little threadbare.
On 19 minutes, a foul on Jamie Fielding brought Dover’s first yellow card and a free kick on the right from which Walters curled a shot into the far corner with the Dover keeper, Sandford, stranded. After the game, Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler called it a fluke. No way. I was looking straight down the barrel and once the right hand member of a two man wall peeled off, there was a clear sight of goal and Walters shape as he took the free kick suggested he took aim for exactly where it finished.
There was more concern for the Tonbridge bench as Joe Turner went down injured on the half-hour mark and although he continued he looked distinctly uncomfortable.
In terms of half-chances, both sides had their moments but it should have been the Angels that went into the break in front when Mason Saunders-Henry put a clear headed opportunity over the bar from Craig Braham-Barrett’s cross.
Into the second half, it was the home side that carved out the early chances but it was Tonbridge that got their noses in front after 56 minutes when a ball forward saw Collins outsprint Dover’s backline to touch the ball past the goalkeeper who brought him down for a penalty award. Turner, now moving easier, powered his penalty past Sandford who had guessed correctly.
As would be expected, Dover threw everything forward to salvage the game but the Tonbridge back line, with makeshift central defender Tommie Fagg, heading just about every ball crossed into the danger area, was holding firm. But, with seven minutes remaining, it took a stupendous save from Henly to touch over the bar a wonderful piece of improvisation from Alfie Pavey who produced a perfect bicycle kick.
Akinwande might have spared the Angels supporters fingernails when he steered his shot agonisingly wide after being sent clear with only Sandford to beat.
A late, high malacious challenge from Pavey on Collins, that should have brought more than a yellow card, brought a melee that spilt over at the final whistle as Dover’s frustration boiled over.
And so to the big homecoming on Saturday and the green, green plastic of home.
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