Welling United U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 105/23/2228 - Tuesday, 16th April 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Welling United U18 (0) 1 Breece 68
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Fabimafobee 88 Mgbeze 90+4
Headcount: 60
Admission: Free
Mileage: 78/7,539

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s gatecrashed the party on a wet night at Holmesdale with two late goals to deny Welling United the league title on the night, leaving them sitting helplessly whilst Cray Valley complete their final two games with victory in both enough to snatch the title.

Manager Dom Welsh was justly proud of his team that had shown resilience, spirit and no small amount of skill in terms of the finishes that dampened the celebrations. “What a game to be involved in, 1-0 down with two minutes to play, to earn all three points epitomises the desire and determination this group showed tonight.”

The game was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Angels U18’s. Shorn of their commanding central defensive partnership of skipper Will Puffette and Ben Martin-Coward and the influential Sam Firman on a dreadful pitch that was not going to suit either side.

The storm clouds were gathering but at kick-off time the pitch was dry, the grass was long and the surface bumpy as the Angels fashioned the opening chance after two minutes when the ball fell to Cameron Honarvar in front of goal but there was too many bodies around him and his effort was blocked and eventually cleared to safety.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having spells in which the chances fell to them. After eight minutes a left-sided corner flashed across the face of the Angels goal with nobody to add the finishing touch and after 15 minutes a shot drifted narrowly wide.

The Angels, playing down the discernible hill, had their period from 20 minutes in when an Adam Larkin shot brought a save from the goalkeeper and successive shots from Felix Waring were not too far wide or high.

On 42 minutes, Welling were awarded a penalty when an attack saw a player brought down on the far right side of the box. But, Toby Edwards was equal to his penalty taker, diving low to his left to save.

The storm clouds had turned to heavy rain as the second half began and the bumpy surface now had an added slippery element. Tonbridge had to repel an almighty scramble in front of their own goal after 10 minutes and whilst Tolu Fabimafobee stretched the Welling goalkeeper, a goal had been coming when Welling took the lead on 68 minutes when Breece found himself as the man over on the left to drive home and spark ridiculously over-the-top celebrations, considering there were 20 minutes (that actually turned in 30 minutes) remaining.

Tonbridge dug deep as emotions ran high and weathered the storm, literally, and with just two minutes remaining Fabimafobee ran from deep through a stretched Welling defence before despatching his shot into the bottom corner.

With the title now out of their hands, Welling threw bodies forward in search of the winner but the Angels stood firm and when Honarvar cleared from defence, Ethan Mgbeze strode clear before striking his shot cleanly into the bottom corner.

The Angels had to survive a final free kick that eventually came back off the bar to preserve a memorable win.

There’s a famous old saying; “It ain’t over 'til the fat lady sings” and with 20 minutes to go she wasn’t even clearing her throat.

With one game remaining, at Glebe next Wednesday, a top three finish is secure for Dom Welsh’s lads and of that they can rightly celebrate.

Holmesdale 2 Tunbridge Wells 7

Match 48/15/1253 - Wednesday, 2nd December 2015 - Southern Counties East

Holmesdale (0) 2 Akers 52, 63
Tunbridge Wells (5) 7 Nwoko 7,31,77 Cable 11, Seenan 19 (pen), 29,48
Attendance: 88

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: Free
Mileage: 78/3,518
New Ground: 283

Match Report

Crisis, what crisis? Jason Bourne might justifiably have exclaimed, as on a windy evening, Tunbridge Wells literally blew their hosts away in a devastating first half-hour.

The winds of change have blown through Tunbridge Wells Football Club through the course of this turbulent season. Since my last time at a Tunbridge Wells game, the manager, Keith Bird, has departed and the revolving door of players has continued apace. Jason Bourne has brought some old faces back to the club alongside some youngsters, one of which was to really catch the eye on this evening.

My first visit to Holmesdale’s Oakley Road ground left an impression of darkness. An unlit walk down an un-made drive was hazardous and once inside the ground the stand on the far side with its black background was invisible, at least to my eyes, until set against the red shirts of the Wells players in the foreground.

Several of the Tunbridge Wells players were on view for the first time for myself and Joe Nwoko was quick to announce himself with the opening goal after seven minutes. A 30 yard shot at goal found the bottom corner past a very young goalkeeper.

Nwoko turned provider three minutes later when his run down the right hand side and pass across the face of goal left Rikki Cable with a tap-in from a couple of feet.

An isolated foray on the visitor’s goal should have brought a goal for Holmesdale but a weak shot allowed Steve Lawrence a comfortable save. Moments later, they were three behind. A run from KJ McFarlane was ended with a trip just inside the penalty area and Chris Seenan converted from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.

After 25 minutes, Seenan doubled his tally when a pass from Nwoko sent Seenan through and his aim was unerring as he found the bottom corner past the bewildered keeper.

After 32 minutes, one really had to be fearful for Holmesdale and a potential cricket score as the Wells added a fifth. A perfect through pass from Stephen Ikpeme found Nwoko who rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.

It was that through ball that really focused the attention on Ikpeme. Until then, in his role as defensive midfielder, he had gone about his business quietly and efficiently, but now with the scoreline so one-sided he had the licence to express himself. On-loan from Maidstone United’s Ryman Under-18 side, he is built like no 18 year-old from my day. Powerful, he dominated to the point that he appeared to frighten most of the hosts’ midfield.

The second half looked to be taking on the same pattern as Seenan completed his hat trick just two minutes into the period. Laid on by Nwoko, who had an impressive night, the Scottish striker found the top corner from around the penalty spot.

Then, completely out of context with the rest of the contest, Holmesdale’s Danny Atkins produced two pieces of fine striking to reduce the deficit and perhaps add a little respectability. After 52 minutes, Atkins found the top corner, past the despairing hand of Lawrence, with a 25 yard free kick and ten minutes later, a shot from even further out rifled into the bottom corner.

There could be little concern with such a decisive scoreline, but any lingering doubts were put to bed with 13 minutes remaining when a punt forward from Ollie Cooke sent Nwoko beyond the Holmesdale back four with the striker coolly lobbing the advancing keeper for his hat trick goal.

Hopefully, this was a sign that the recovery of Tunbridge Wells is underway. Their holy grail of a Vase run ended with the disappointment of an exit at their opening stage of the competition at Knaphill and there is little left in the season but to fight for a respectable finishing league position. This can be easily achieved with a bit of stability in the remaining months, Bourne has the best wishes of the Wells’ support earned by his longevity as a player and if a few more gems in the likeness of Ikpeme come his way, then his task will be made that much easier.