Greenwich Borough U18 0 Margate U18 4

Match 38/17/1488 - Wednesday, 4th October 2017 - FA Youth Cup 2QR

Greenwich Borough (0) 0
Margate (0) 4 Bray 19, Ikeije 40, 90+4, Richards 89
Attendance: 81

Entrance: £5
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 60/2,646

Match Report

A year ago, to the day, the FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round featured Tonbridge Angels progressing with a memorable performance that disposed of Dover Athletic. If that was a evening to remember, then the next round’s encounter with Maidstone United, a 5-5 draw after extra-time with the Stones winning the penalty shoot-out, was probably the best match I saw all season at any level.

Sadly, one year on, I’m drawn to Cray Valley to renew acquaintances with the parents of that Tonbridge side that I wholeheartedly embraced and enjoyed for a season, but playing now in the blue of Margate Football Club.

The rhymes and reasons for the mass defection are well known to Tonbridge supporters and is not something that I wish to recycle, but with 10 of the Margate’s starting eleven having been part of that Tonbridge squad, the Angels loss is most certainly Margate’s gain.

On the night, Margate progressed in the end quite comfortably, but it was the ongoing development of some of those players that was most pleasing. Jack Bray was imposing; Henry Ikeije was exciting; Jardell Conteh was impressive and Lewis Mitchell, between the sticks, did everything that was asked of him.

Greenwich Borough put up a decent fight of their own. Their number seven was a livewire and their big number 10 a handful.

An opening 20 minutes, that was evenly contested, ended with a powerful Bray header from a Jack Fenton cross giving the east Kent side the lead.

Ziyad Ghali saw a shot blocked and then another effort cleared from the line before the visitors doubled their advantage five minutes before the break. A short free kick played by Conteh caught out the Greenwich defence as it found Ikeije whose angled shot from 10 yards was only helped into the goal by the goalkeeper.

Margate had enough possession to put the tie to bed long before substitute Josh Richards, who had an explosive turn of pace, intercepted a clearance to run on and touch the ball past the advancing keeper with a minute remaining.

On a evening that had turned distinctly chilly, I decided I could pass on the couple of minutes of added time, so I missed Ikeije’s gloss-adding fourth goal.

It was a good to see familiar faces and pleasing to see the lads progression, even if it made me feel just a little sad.

Greenwich Borough U18 2 Tonbridge Angels U18 3

Match 63/16/1370 - Thursday, 8th December 2016 - Ryman Youth League

Greenwich Borough (1) 2 Mochine 40, Spurling 75
Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 Sollis 12,35,70
Played at Meridian VP
New ground: 299
Attendance: 43

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: Free
Mileage: 86/4,790

Tonbridge Under-18s were made to fight hard to retain the three points won in a good first half performance as the exploits of Monday night’s extra-time victory over Lordswood took their toll.

Manager Jay Stubberfield was able to welcome back Tommy Chapman and Sid Sollis, who marked his return with an energetic performance, a hat-trick and a yellow card that rules him out of the next fixture. All in a day’s work for the irrepressible Sid!

Greenwich Borough who play their Under-18 games at Meridian Sports and Social, Charlton on an immaculate pitch began the evening just a single place behind Tonbridge on goal difference, so an evenly contested game was expected.

Tonbridge started much the brighter and in the first eight minutes carved out chances for Jardell Conteh, two efforts from Sollis, who was taking a shoot on sight approach and a cross that just eluded Guy Taylor. So it came as no surprise when the visitors went ahead after 12 minutes when Sollis’ shot from the edge of the box sailed past the rooted Greenwich goalkeeper.

Tonbridge were in absolute control of the game and chances came and went before they increased their advantage on 35 minutes when a shot from Sollis from all of 30 yards skimmed across the turf and under the diving body of the goalkeeper.

It took until five minutes before the break for the home side to make a meaningful attack on the Tonbridge goal. Richard Frempong needlessly gave away a free kick on the edge of the box and the resultant kick was curled into the top corner by Chris Mochine with Lewis Mitchell getting a hand to the ball but unable to push it to safety.

As the second half wore on it was noticeable that Tonbridge were physically beginning to wilt as their opponents were able to play higher up the field than they had during the first period. Nevertheless, it continued to be the Angels that created the chances.

Chapman’s return lasted an hour before being replaced by Harvey Killick in a double substitution that also saw Alex Bishop coming on for Taylor.

Adam Riley, who had shown up well for the Borough from left back, brought a smart save out of Mitchell at his near post before Tonbridge re-established their two goal lead after 70 minutes. A free kick from Liam Smith into the danger area saw Sollis get the final touch to complete his hat trick.

Jack Fenton took a heavy knock 15 minutes from time and needed to be replaced by James Tansil.

Tonbridge fell foul of being undone by a set piece a second time when a free kick into the box was hooked on by Greenwich’s Jack Spurling to reduce the deficit but they saw out the final 10 minutes with relative comfort to seal the points.

Jay Stubberfield commented after the match that his side had started to feel the effects of Monday’s encounter after 20 minutes but was pleased overall. He felt that the two goals conceded, from set pieces, were poor but he didn’t think that anyone could say that they didn’t deserve the win. He added that his job was to develop players and supply them to the first team and if they can win games along the way that is a bonus. “At the moment we’re doing both so I have to be pleased.” Replying to my comment that as a supporter, I would love to see them chase down Maidstone at the top, he said that after developing players, chasing down Maidstone was a close second!

I have a personal accolade for Liam Smith, who performed admirably for the first team on Tuesday evening and turned out on Thursday for the 18s with the same enthusiasm, a smashing attitude.

Tonbridge moved into fourth position, six points adrift of leaders Maidstone but with two games in hand.