Doncaster Rovers 2 Gillingham 2

Match 60/15/1265 - Saturday, 16th January 2016 - League One

Doncaster Rovers (0) 2 Stewart 75, Williams 88
Gillingham (2) 2 Donnelly 10,46
Attendance: 4,876

Entrance: £17 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 434/4,657
New Ground: 285

Match Report

We may be just the paying public, but surely when so many people are thinking the same thing, they can't all be wrong? At 2-0, Gillingham were coasting this match; could and should have been further ahead. In midfield Josh Wright and Jake Hessenthaler were dominating the centre of the pitch, leaving Aaron Morris a relatively easy job as the holding player and allowing Bradley Dack the luxury of performing all his magic further forward. And then, after 72 minutes, Justin Edinburgh made the strange decision to break the partnership and replace Wright with Jermaine McGlashen. A dodgy refereeing decision only clouds the issue that with that substitution, Doncaster Rovers found a way back into the game and left Gillingham holding on for dear life for nine minutes of added time. McGlashen's contribution in his time on the field was one cross into the goalkeeper's hands.

Holding my own hands up, I would have taken a draw from the outset, but two goals to the good, levels of expectation rise and when that lead was ultimately lost, the disappointment is so much the greater. This is the second successive game, third overall where two goal leads have been surrendered. Edinburgh's young team assertion cannot tell the whole story. It's a pointless exercise in "what ifs" but if those leads had been translated into wins, Gillingham would have been five points clear at the top of the table.

Gillingham looked a little shaky down their right hand side in the opening minutes when, on a couple of occasions, Andy Williams had an acre of space to exploit but ended with hopelessly overhit crosses.

After 10 minutes the visitors were in front. Ryan Jackson's long throw were returned to him and his cross found Rory Donnelly at the far post who executed an exquisite volley from the angle of the six yard box into the opposite corner of the net.

Overhit became a watchword for Rovers as time and again they emulated their Rugby League groundsharers with shots that sailed blissfully over the bar by some considerable distance.

Gillingham might have doubled their advantage prior to the break. A Rovers attack was broken down and Dack from well inside his own half set Bradley Garmston free down the left hand side. The full back made a lot of ground before crossing into the box where it was met with a header from Dack that rebounded off the crossbar.

Visiting supporters who had taken an extra half minute to sup their half-time Bovril failed to return to their seats in time to see their side's second goal. A 30-yard run from Dack from the centre circle culminated with a straight pass into the path of Donnelly who slipped it past the advancing Thorsten Stuckmann with an assured finish.

On 72 minutes came the head-scratching moment that left Gillingham fans bewildered and Josh Wright frustrated as he threw a water bottle to the floor and, within three mminutes, Doncaster had a foothold back in the match. A dubious foul on Williams by Max Ehmer gave Rovers a free kick just inside the D and Cameron Stewart stepped up to drive a shot into the top corner.

Ten minutes later, Stewart was involved in a hideous incident when he tumbled over McGlashen landing on his head. Stewart was hospitalised but thankfully was released later that evening.

A couple of minutes before the game entered into nine minutes of time added due to Stewart's injury, the home side were level. Morris was caught in possession and a pass found Williams taking the ball between Gillingham's two central defenders and firing into the bottom corner.

In the second minute of time added, Gillingham were spared the blushes of a third 3-2 defeat after being two-up when a fine save from Nelson denied Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. Somehow, Gillingham survived those long nine minutes, before the supporters inquest began with a loud, long rant from one supporter in the gents!

This was third time lucky for me in regards to a visit to the Keepmoat Stadium. I actually liked the ground more from the outside than inside. A walk alongside a lake in a nicely terraced park with childen feeding the ducks was very pleasant leading up to a statue that, I presume, was a nod towards the local steel industry.

With no tickets available prior to the day, the selling of them by one person in a makeshift room was far from ideal leading to long queues and once inside the ground, food stocks were close to running out and expensive to boot.

For some reason, the visiting support was allocated a couple of blocks in a corner from where the view wasn't the best. The ground was bland in a sterile, modern way that lacked any sort of interesting feature. On the plus side, it did retain a good atmosphere generated by a noisy home following complete with continuous drumming.

At third in the table, Gillingham fans have little right to complain, but we pay our money and are entitled to our opinion and social media on Saturday night was full of fans questioning Edinburgh's judgement on that substitution. Can we all be wrong?

Hollands & Blair 4 Ashford United 0

Match 59/15/1264 - Wednesday, 13th January 2016 - SCEL League Cup QF

Hollands & Blair (2) 4 McDonald 10, Greenfield (pen) 32, West 48, 58
Ashford United (0) 0
Attendance: 88

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 56/4,213
New Ground: 284

Match Report

With no midweek fixtures scheduled for my usual suspects, there was an opportunity for a groundhop to take in Gillingham's "other team".

Hollands and Blair, once a factory team, are one of Kent's success stories. Just a dozen years ago, they were still playing their football in the Rochester and District League before winning the two lower divisions of the Kent County League back-to-back and going on to win the Premier League in 2008 and 2011. This led to their promotion to the Kent Invicta League on its formation; they were runners-up to Phoenix Spoorts in 2013 before winning successive titles that led to their elevation to the Southern Counties East League.

Anybody expecting their momentum to stall at the higher level have been proved wrong as they have opened up a five point lead on the well-heeled Greenwich Borough at the head of the table.

At the present time, I would guess that Star Meadow is some way from getting a suitable ground grading for Isthmian League status and, but from reports work is in progress to upgrade the facilities as necessary. The small seated stand with a capacity of no more than 150 is the only covered enclosure which falls short of the requirements. But, on the whole, it is a nice little facility, with room to put into place the necessary improvements.

As I left Star Meadow, a couple of minutes early, not exactly to beat the rush but because the bitterly cold wind was eating into the bones, I bumped into an old friend who had adopted Hollands as his team. Not wishing to burst his bubble, I passed comment that whilst his side had been good, that was the worst Ashford team I'd ever seen. On reflection that was pretty unfair, failing to take into account Ashford's FA Vase encounter coming up at Newport, Isle of Wight on Saturday coupled with suspensions to key players.

Nevertheless, nothing should be taken away from Paul Piggott's team. A mixture of youth and experience, they were quick on the counter attack with a couple of raiding full backs with a goalscorer in prime form alongside an older head up front. When they were forced to defend, the visitors found a goalkeeper in good form and defenders willing to put their bodies on the line.

Hollands took the lead after 10 minutes when a cross from the impressive Justin Ascheri was nodded back across the face of goal to the unerring head of the Southern Counties East leading goalscorer, James McDonald.

Just past the half-hour, Shaun Welford inexplicably hand-balled a cross from the left and Bryan Greenfield scored from the spot.

Two goals early in the second half left Ashford waving the white flag. Hollands' skipper, Stuart West got on the end of a free kick from Greenfield to score with a diving header and 10 minutes later, when Ashford tried and failed to clear their lines following a corner, West was on hand again to poke the ball in.

Ashford sacrificed the experienced Michael Phillips and Shaun Welford to save their legs for the trip to the Isle of Wight and the home side took their foot off the gas to save any further embarrassment.

Where can you get a decent evening's entertainment for a fiver? Certainly this would have been great value on a night when it wasn't quite so cold.

Canvey Island 1 Tonbridge 1

Match 58/15/1263 - Saturday, 9th January 2016 - Ryman Premier

Canvey Island (1) 1 James-Lewis 20
Tonbridge (1) 1 Parkinson 28
Attendance: 361

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 107/4,157

There cannot be a Saturday gone by, ever, when within earshot, somebody has verbally abused a referee for what they consider has been a wrong decision made against their team. I might even have directed said abuse myself on the odd occasion.

Most right-minded supporters understand that the man-in-the-middle's job is difficult and at times thankless, regardless of the fact that they are paid, and some would argue, paid well.

A curious incident, late in the second half of this game provided a heavily debated discussion on social media with, in my opinion, no definitive answer, but also proof that despite years of watching the game, I still don't know the rules!

I can play Arsene Wenger's card as having not seen the incident in the first instance. A ball was played to around the penalty box and a couple of players made a challenge for it. At that point there were loud appeals from Tonbridge supporters behind the goal. The referee immediately brought the game to a halt and appeared to be pointing at the penalty spot. Slightly bemused, I thought he had given a handball, but it was for dangerous play on behalf of the Canvey Island defender, but the referee had not given a penalty but an indirect free kick.

This is where my lack of knowledge of the rules surfaced, but it seems I was far from alone. Around me, Tonbridge fans were incensed that a penalty was the only option available to the referee, but seemingly not. I have two ex-referees among my friends and they concurred with the decision, whilst in the stands, a Tonbridge forum member was being told by the referee's assessor that he didn't know what he was talking about.

The decision centres around intent. In the referee's opinion there was no contact or intent, so although the foot was dangerously high, no penalty. Sonny Miles later tweeted about the mud down Tom Parkinson's face indicating, in his opinion, contact had been made. Chris Varney, from the Tonbridge bench, also posted that was what the official had told them as they left the pitch.

Dave Couldridge's photograph appears to clearly show contact, but even this brought alternative viewpoints.

I think my greatest gripe, whilst accepting the referee's decision, is that anywhere else on the pitch it would have been seen as dangerous play with intent. Several other qualified referee's joined in the debate on social media and they pretty much stood by each other.

As usual, a stiff wind blew from behind the sea wall making playing conditions difficult for both sides. Meanwhile, on a another day of local postponements through waterlogged pitches, there was no inspection required at Canvey Island.

Tonbridge started brightly with Charlie Webster bringing a comfortable save out of the towering Connor Gough. The visitors also had the ball in the net within the opening five minutes when Nathan Elder converted after being sent through by James Folkes, but a linesman's flag ruled it out in a very tight call.

Canvey Island grew into the game and, after quarter of an hour, Tambeson Eyong was sent clear but was denied by firstly a blocking save from Anthony Di Bernardo and then a further block from Laurence Ball.

The home side took the lead after 20 minutes. A corner from the left was only cleared by an upward header that was knocked back to the edge of the box to the waiting Merrick James-Lewis, whose first touch flicked the ball in the air and his second that was a very sweet volley that took a heavy deflection off Miles, wrong footing Di Barnardo.

Canvey had a spell in the ascendancy whilst Tonbridge were struggling to get Nicky Wheeler into the game. Wheeler's value came to the fore after 27 minutes when his corner was met at the far post with a Parkinson header that found the bottom corner for an equaliser.

Tonbridge, with the wind at their backs, created a number of chances in the last quarter hour of the half. Wheeler shot wide; a Webster cross offered another heading opportunity for Parkinson, but this one drifted wide and similarly Elder headed wide in the final throes of the half.

After Contactgate, Tonbridge made a wasted a host of chances that should have made that particular decision irrelevant. Elder's radar wasn't quite on beam, a Webster cross was steered wide and another from Whitnell saw his header clip the top of the bar. With seven minutes remaining Luke Blewden set Elder up with a golden opportunity but once more his header was wide.

With a couple of minutes remaining, it looked like those wasted chances would come back to bite the visitors when Di Barnardo suffered a rush of blood racing from his goal and robbed at the left hand corner flag. His blushes were spared by two fine blocks, firstly by Ball and then by a combination of Miles and Ball before the ball was ballooned over the bar.

A nick off the left hand post in the final act of the afternoon proved it just wasn't to be Nathan Elder's day as Tonbridge had to accept a share of the points for the umpteenth time in the last 10 games. It is a run of draws that is becoming damaging to their hopes of automatic promotion.

Tonbridge 1 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Match 57/15/1262 - Saturday, 3rd January 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 90+1
Dulwich Hamlet (0) 1 Nelson 74
Attendance: 1,095

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,050

Match Report

What a great start to 2016! Arguably the best game I've seen this season in the worst of conditions. Great credit to the groundstaff at Longmead for getting the game on; both sets of supporters for creating an atmosphere worthy of the occasion; the referee who kept the game flowing and to the teams who contributed to an outstanding tussle with very little complaint of the conditions imposed upon them.

Ultimately, a draw (which personally I was ready to take at kick-off) was a fair result, although the supporters of Dulwich Hamlet might well have gone back to south London disappointed to have lost the points at such a late stage of the game.

This was the first time this season (I'm not expecting it to be the last) that I've chosen to, in effect, waste my Gillingham season ticket for what I perceived to be the better match. Despite Gillingham's fine 3-0 win over Bradford City, I wasn't to be disappointed. But the weather was causing a real headache. Pictures had appeared on Facebook on Friday of the pitch being vertidrained, but as the morning's light rain turned heavier, I began to fear sitting in the car park at Longmead at 2:30 p.m. with the postponed signs going up and knowing that Priestfield was a good hour away. Nevertheless, the season ticket was put into the pocket as a precautionary measure.

Tonbridge were quick out of the blocks and Luke Blewden brought an early save out of Phil Wilson in the Dulwich goal, who turned the ball away for a corner, from which Nathan Elder's header was cleared from the line.

It's easy to see why Steve McKimm is the Tonbridge manager and I'm a humble blogger as I didn't really understand Blewden's role, not being used to seeing him chasing back and often finding himself behind James Folkes making last ditch challenges. McKimm's interview later made it crystal clear and I'm now able to appreciate the sheer endeavour of Blewden.

Nick Wheeler was causing real problems for the Londoners down the left hand side and cutting in, first saw a shot just edge past the post before bringing another save from Wilson.

Chances were few and far between for the visitors although Damian Scannell looked dangerous, Sonny Miles, who it was revealed afterwards popped a shoulder out (again) in the opening minutes, was more than his equal.

Miles produced a raking cross field pass to Wheeler who laid back for Luke Allen to drag a shot wide as the Angels' continued to dominate.

Dulwich created just one clear opportunity in the first half when Ryan Moss' header needed to be hacked to safety by Laurence Ball.

Tonbridge deserved something for their first half efforts but it wasn't to come. Allen brought a comfortable save out of Wilson and a corner saw Blewden's header drift wide.

Gavin Rose is well respected in Ryman circles and his half-time team talk and tactical tinkering brought a different Hamlet side out of the dressing room for the second period. Now it was the Pink and Blues that were calling the tune and exerting continued pressure on the Tonbridge defence. Anthony Di Barnardo made his first real save of the match blocking an effort from Jack Dixon and a magnificent block from Tom Parkinson denied Scannell after 50 minutes.

The opening goal had been coming for much of the second period when it arrived after 74 minutes. A corner from Scannell to the far post was met with a looping header from full back Mitchell Nelson that didn't appear to have enough pace to beat the Tonbridge goalkeeper, but the ball bounced right in front of his hands and nestled in the far corner.

With the confidence borne out of the goal, Dulwich began to open up the Tonbridge defence and when Scannell sent Moss clear, the ex-Margate striker dragged his shot wide with a poor effort.

As the game neared its end, Tonbridge threw caution to the wind in hope of finding an equaliser. Wheeler, who had been starved of the ball during the second half, put a cross onto the head of Parkinson, who could only direct it into the welcoming hands of Wilson. Wilson's handling in the conditions was exceptional throughout the game.

Tonbridge fans thought their goose was cooked with no time left on the clock when Rhys Murrell-Williamson, cutting in from the left, hit a shot towards the near post, but Di Barnardo clawed it away with a top drawer save that, in its own way, saved the point that was about to be gained.

Entering into the time added on, Tonbridge won a free kick on the left-hand side, 18 yards out. Sam Rents touched it to Wheeler, who sent in the most pin-point of crosses that Elder read perfectly, getting across the face of his markers to glance the ball into the net.

Hampton and Richmond are proving that the title race is not a two horse race and they are certainly going to have their say, as will two or three others. But, I cannot wait to see these two clubs go head-to-head once again at Champion Hill on Easter Monday, when the game will be a true six-pointer that could decide the destination of the title, whilst leaving one club with the drama of the play-offs.

Picture courtesy of David Couldridge

Tunbridge Wells 5 Rusthall 0

Match 56/15/1261 - Tuesday, 30th December 2015 - Friendly

Tunbridge Wells (3) 5 Nwoko 2,5,30 Parsons 55, Baz 89
Rusthall (0) 0
Attendance: Estimated: 150

Entrance: Free
Programme: None Produced
Mileage: 36/4,012

Unless it has been weathered-enforced, I've never known a football club without a fixture over the Christmas period. Although the scheduled Boxing Day fixture was an unappealing away trip, the playing of the game on a free Saturday earlier in the month left Tunbridge Wells' supporters starved of football over the festive period.

To give the players game time, two friendly fixtues were arranged and although the first against Guru Nanak prior to Christmas fell foul of the weather, the second against neighbours Rusthall satisfied the fans' craving and, even allowing for the free entry, a very decent attendance assembled.

Unfortunately, with no team sheet either printed or written up, who was who in an experimental Tunbridge Wells side was guesswork apart from the regulars such as Joe Fuller and Perry Spackman.

If it wasn't clear who was who, this was no fault of the new floodlights that shone impressively brightly. Jason Bourne is overhauling the squad quickly with some returning names and some youngsters brought in from senior clubs' youth teams. Rory Head and Bradley Large have returned from University, Tom Davey has been pursuaded to return to the game and Tolly Beaton helped out on the night.

Added to those were mystery men, a left winger who we can only refer to as Baz (or even Buzz!) and a striker called Alwyn. Both of these players impressed and it would be good to get to know a little bit more about them whilst they are wearing the red of the Wells.

After five minutes, the Rusthall defence looked like they were drunken guests at a particularly raucous New Year's Eve party as they found themselves two behind to Joe Nwoko goals. His first after two minutes was from close range and his second came courtesy of the fleet-footed Baz before the striker side-stepped a couple of challenges to fire home.

All credit to Rusthall that they recovered their composure and for half-an-hour more than held their own. After some magnificent defending had denied the Wells a third, Rusthall hit the post with a far post header but then conceded on the counter attack with Nwoko completing his first half hat trick.

Large hit the bar, cutting in from the right, just prior to the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ian Parsons, a first half substitute, scored from close range to add a fourth.

Sadly, I have to admit to missing the final goal from Baz as a warming cup of tea became more enticing than the final five minutes, shame on me!

With very little to play for in terms of challenging for silverware (Tunbridge Wells will not go down, of that I'm sure), Jason Bourne has time on his side to allow a young side to evolve from the ashes of a poor opening four months of the season. How the young players on show in this non-competitive match transfer to men's senior football is going to make for interesting viewing for the Culverden faithful.

As a postscript I would like to thank my followers for continuing to log-in to That'll Be The Day, as it has now received its 50,000th page viewing.

Gillingham 1 Colchester United 0

Match 55/15/1260 - Monday, 29th December 2015 - League One

Gillingham (0) 1 Samuel 70
Colchester United (0) 0
Attendance: 7,109

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 56/3,976

Match Report

As the stadium announcer was declaring Max Ehmer as the sponsors' man of the match, Stuart Nelson made the second of three point blank saves that won this hard fought encounter for Gillingham. Seconds before the final whistle, he made his third and there wasn't a person inside Priestfield Stadium that didn't realise that the goalkeeper was the true recipient of the sponsors' award.

Coming into the game on the back of outstanding performances at Millwall and Swindon, this was a scratchy performance. But make no mistake, when the prizes are handed out in May, to whoever they are awarded, it won't be the three-nils and four-nil games that have won the league or promotion, it will be games like this one that might, and perhaps should, have been lost.

Gillingham made one change from their last game, Ehmer coming in for Deji Oshilaja, but Bradley Dack caused some concerns during the warm up when he appeared to turn an ankle, so it was a relief when he emerged from the tunnel fit and ready to play just before 3 o'clock.

The first half was a truly forgettable affair for all but the travelling 345 supporters who had made the trip from Essex to urge on their bottom of the table side. By half-time, they had watched on as their team had amassed 11 shots on goal, four on target whereas the home side's tally amounted to a paltry four efforts, none of which had troubled Elliott Parrish in the Colchester goal.

Marvin Sordell had an early effort that whistled just over the bar and this set the tone for the first period, one in which Dominic Samuel and Rory Donnelly fed off the barest scraps upfront.

Gillingham's best, in fact only, chance of the first half came after ten minutes when a cross from Ryan Jackson found its way to the far post where Jake Hessenthaler just failed to convert.

Justin Edinburgh made two changes during the half-time break, Donnelly was replaced by Luke Norris and Josh Wright, who took a first half knock to the head, was replaced by Doug Loft. The changes had the desired effect and the home side showed a far greater urgency from the outset of the second period.

In the 52nd minute, Norris wasted a golden opportunity when he was sent clear down the left hand side but his powered shot only found the side netting.

Colchester, looking far from a side on a run of eight consecutive defeats, hit a post through a Chris Porter header and Ehmer had to be sharp to block an attempt from Tom Eastman.

Gillingham finally took the lead with 20 minutes remaining. After Dack had an effort partially cleared, Ryan Jackson's cross was met by John Egan, who directed a header across the face of goal from where Dominic Samuel shot home from close range.

Egan produced a thunderous shot from 40 yards plus that crashed against the crossbar as Gillingham had their best passage of play in the match.

As the game drifted towards its end, Colchester made a whole-hearted attempt to rescue something from their visit and in so doing brought Nelson to the fore. Firstly, with a minute remaining, he spread himself to repel a close range from Sordell following a George Moncur cross and as clock ticked to 93 minutes, Sordell was sent clear only to be denied by the Gillingham keeper's feet as he narrowed the angle.

The season is now past its half-way mark and if results had gone their way (they didn't) Gillingham could have been sitting at the top of the table going into the New Year. I don't think I'm alone in my surprise at their position at this stage; if they can continue to scratch results when a game doesn't quite go according to plan, who is to say that we cannot continue to be surprised?

VCD Athletic 0 Tonbridge 3

Match 54/15/1259 - Saturday, 26th December 2015 - Ryman Premier

VCD Athletic (0) 0
Tonbridge (2) 3 Elder 34, Joseph (o.g.) 35, Blewden 50
Attendance: 267

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 74/3,920

Match Report

It is easy to see why the professionals within the game hold little store by "games in hand". At the beginning of December, Tonbridge were as many as four games adrift of other clubs at the top end of the table. But a dip in form, which has seen them go six games without a win, albeit that five of those were draws, has seen that perceived points gain dwindle. A bumper Boxing Day attendance for VCD Athletic, more than twice their average gate, was made up with a large following from Tonbridge hoping to see their favourites find some form against a home side entrenched in the bottom four. VCD's lowly league position had not been represented by recent victories at Grays Athletic and at their Oakwood ground against Wingate and Finchley.

The opening half-hour of the match saw Tonbridge apparently suffering from an over-indulgence of Christmas Pudding as they made a lethargic beginning to the game. But two goals in the space of a minute brought them to life and completely took the wind out of the sails of the hosts. A classic goal from Luke Blewden wrapped up the points as the Angels produced a fine second half performance on day when every one of the division's top five had victories.

The visitors survived an early scare when a cross to the far post was met with a towering header from Nigel Neita that went beyond Angels' goalkeeper Anthony Di Barnardo but was swept away from in front of the line by Laurence Ball. The hosts enjoyed some good possession and the pace of Michael Bakare was causing more than a few worrying moments.

After 15 minutes, Tonbridge's Simon Thomas was withdrawn with some sort of a leg injury to be replaced by Luke Blewden. This turned out to be significant as the Angels' leading goalscrorer was a constant threat.

Tonbridge's first effort on goal saw a Tommy Parkinson header saved by Tom Hadler, the Gillingham youngster that had two successful spells at Longmead last season.

The much-travelled Donovan Simmonds hooked an effort wide for VCD before Tonbridge opened the scoring after 34 minutes. Nicky Wheeler, who had switched from left to right wing, swung in a cross to Nathan Elder who was allowed time to take a touch before rifling a shot into the bottom corner.

Just 40 seconds elapsed and the scoreline was doubled. A cross from the left into the path of Elder was diverted into his own net by Ricardo Joseph, or was it? Elder was credited with the goal and, later, Elder declared that he had touched it. Who's going to argue with the big man?

That disastrous minute knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and Tonbridge were now in complete control of the game.

After five minutes of the second period, Elder played the ball into the path of Blewden, whose sublime first touch was to lob Hadler and into the top corner.

The second half became a one-way procession with only Hadler standing between Tonbridge and a cricket score as the hosts became visibly more and more dispirited.

James Folkes, marauding forward, had a couple of efforts saved and, my man of the match, Luke Allen saw a goalbound shot deflected wide.

With the top of the table clash against Dulwich Hamlet next Saturday no doubt in mind, Wheeler and Folkes were withdrawn allowing a welcome return for Jack Parter.

One final act saw a magnificent double save from Hadler to deny Allen and Blewden.

Back to winning ways for the Angels and with a performance to match. As said before in these postings, I'm not really a believer that there can be six-pointers in January, but next Saturday visit of Dulwich Hamlet to Longmead has all the hallmarks. The South Londoners will bring a large following and a four figure crowd is not an unreasonable expectation. As is often said, "Bring it On".