Match 79/17/1529 - Tuesday, 9th January 2018 - SCEFL Challenge Cup R3
K Sports (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Kendall 16
Attendance: 65
Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 30/5,221
Jason Bourne’s 100th game in charge of Tunbridge Wells saw them secure a place in the quarter final draw of the SCEFL Challenge Cup. His side produced a good first half performance and followed this with a steadfast defensive second period that denied their promotion chasing hosts a scalp from the division to which they aspire.
A sweeping move from both Tunbridge Wells full backs saw Alfie Hall producing a devastating cross to the far post where his right-sided counterpart, Alexx Kendall was positioned for a simple tap-in.
The Wells dominated the half and should have entered the break more than the single goal to the good. Josh Biddlecombe sent the ball across the face of the goal that begged a touch that Jon Pilbeam just failed to make; John Shea brought a decent save out of Rhys Coates and when the exciting Franco Mici produced a mazy run and pass, Pilbeam’s shot struck a post.
K Sports may feel that their priorities are elsewhere this season but they gave it their best in the second half and Jack Bradshaw’s save from Sam Winch was as match winning as Kendall’s goal.
The neutrals alongside me in the seats thought it was a poor game, but for Tunbridge Wells supporters, starved of success, any victory is to be applauded and out of the debris of this season a cup final is now only a couple of games away.
Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Monday, 8 January 2018
Tonbridge Angels 2 Lowestoft Town 2
Match 78/17/1528 - Saturday, 6th January 2018 - Bostik Premier
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Vidal (pen) 3 Turner 12
Lowestoft Town (1) 2 Hodd 45 Cotton 73
Attendance: 438
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,191
Give it Away, a monotonous rap rock song from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (Google sourced) blasted out from the media tower as people, some disgruntled, filed away from Longmead Stadium. This was not a song that I was familiar with, or would want to be, but I realised that this was Dave Brown (the stadium announcer) indulging in a little irony. When I later pressed him on social media, he said “it went over most people’s head”, which I take as a complement that it didn’t go over mine.
Giving it away was the immediate cause for disgruntlement as Tonbridge surrendered a two goal lead they had built within the opening 12 minutes. But the threat, if not the reality, is that this season is in danger of petering out to mid-table mediocrity as early as January is the source of much greater consternation to those supporters.
The Angels could not have wished for a better start. The Suffolk-based visitors had barely got the long journey out of their legs when a Jack Parter throw-in was headed on by Dan Thompson into the path of Alex Akrofi who easily got clear of a sleeping Harry Barker to round the Lowestoft goalkeeper, Ben Dudzinski, who brought him down. Xavier Vidal stepped up to successfully convert the spot kick low to his left, with the keeper guessing wrong.
With the confidence of the early goal, Tonbridge played as well as at any time this season, slick passing movements cutting through the Trawlerboys with Akrofi just failing to double the advantage after being sent clear by Joe Turner.
The lead was doubled after 12 minutes when a long punt forward from Dan Bennett left Turner in a one-on-one chase with Daniel Humphries. Turner was too strong for the youngster, took the ball on a couple of paces and slotted past Dudzinski.
After 34 minutes a sickening clash of heads saw Humphries and Parter needing urgent attention with the Lowestoft player looking in serious trouble. Thankfully, after a long delay, Humphries was able to leave the field on his feet but was immediately despatched to hospital; Parter was able to continue with his head heavily bandaged.
The delay seemed to drain the momentum out of Tonbridge and it was no surprise when in the extended period of time-added, a challenge won in midfield saw the ball sent forward to Harvey Hodd who confidently steered the ball into the bottom corner past the advancing Jonny Henly.
Lowestoft could have been level a minute later when a superb move ended with Jake Reed acrobatically firing just over the crossbar.
Lowestoft continued to hold the upper hand into the second half despite chances falling to Akrofi who wildly shot high and wide and another chance headed over.
The Suffolk side’s equaliser after 73 minutes was richly deserved when Reed cushioned a header into the path of Nico Cotton to beat Henly from 12 yards.
The introduction of Nathan Elder stemmed the tide somewhat and the game could have gone either way in the final quarter-hour.
The game marked the debut as new club Chairman for Roger Maddams. Roger is a bit of a musical aficionado, so he will be hoping that the departure music in future games is a bit more uplifting than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Vidal (pen) 3 Turner 12
Lowestoft Town (1) 2 Hodd 45 Cotton 73
Attendance: 438
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,191
Give it Away, a monotonous rap rock song from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (Google sourced) blasted out from the media tower as people, some disgruntled, filed away from Longmead Stadium. This was not a song that I was familiar with, or would want to be, but I realised that this was Dave Brown (the stadium announcer) indulging in a little irony. When I later pressed him on social media, he said “it went over most people’s head”, which I take as a complement that it didn’t go over mine.
Giving it away was the immediate cause for disgruntlement as Tonbridge surrendered a two goal lead they had built within the opening 12 minutes. But the threat, if not the reality, is that this season is in danger of petering out to mid-table mediocrity as early as January is the source of much greater consternation to those supporters.
The Angels could not have wished for a better start. The Suffolk-based visitors had barely got the long journey out of their legs when a Jack Parter throw-in was headed on by Dan Thompson into the path of Alex Akrofi who easily got clear of a sleeping Harry Barker to round the Lowestoft goalkeeper, Ben Dudzinski, who brought him down. Xavier Vidal stepped up to successfully convert the spot kick low to his left, with the keeper guessing wrong.
With the confidence of the early goal, Tonbridge played as well as at any time this season, slick passing movements cutting through the Trawlerboys with Akrofi just failing to double the advantage after being sent clear by Joe Turner.
The lead was doubled after 12 minutes when a long punt forward from Dan Bennett left Turner in a one-on-one chase with Daniel Humphries. Turner was too strong for the youngster, took the ball on a couple of paces and slotted past Dudzinski.
After 34 minutes a sickening clash of heads saw Humphries and Parter needing urgent attention with the Lowestoft player looking in serious trouble. Thankfully, after a long delay, Humphries was able to leave the field on his feet but was immediately despatched to hospital; Parter was able to continue with his head heavily bandaged.
The delay seemed to drain the momentum out of Tonbridge and it was no surprise when in the extended period of time-added, a challenge won in midfield saw the ball sent forward to Harvey Hodd who confidently steered the ball into the bottom corner past the advancing Jonny Henly.
Lowestoft could have been level a minute later when a superb move ended with Jake Reed acrobatically firing just over the crossbar.
Lowestoft continued to hold the upper hand into the second half despite chances falling to Akrofi who wildly shot high and wide and another chance headed over.
The Suffolk side’s equaliser after 73 minutes was richly deserved when Reed cushioned a header into the path of Nico Cotton to beat Henly from 12 yards.
The introduction of Nathan Elder stemmed the tide somewhat and the game could have gone either way in the final quarter-hour.
The game marked the debut as new club Chairman for Roger Maddams. Roger is a bit of a musical aficionado, so he will be hoping that the departure music in future games is a bit more uplifting than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Monday, 1 January 2018
Greenwich Borough 0 Cray Wanderers 0
Match 77/17/1527 - Monday, 1st January 2018 - Bostik South
Greenwich Borough (0) 0
Cray Wanderers (0) 0
Attendance: 165
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 77/5,153
Match Report
It was the day that the humble townsfolk had awaited with eager anticipation for months, the day when the Greatest Show on Earth, The Billy’s Dicky Circus, rolled into town. Roll up, roll up. Come and see the roaring lions; Tamplin, the greatest ringmaster of the modern era and clowns, there will be clowns, plenty of clowns.
But, sadly for the humble townsfolk, it rained and it rained. Despite the best efforts of the Top Man, soon the Big Top was awash. No ringmaster of such standing could be expected to perform in such conditions, the humble townsfolk would have to wait until another day.
So, forewarned is forearmed and I hightailed it up the A21 to Greenwich Borough, a club that had pretentions of their own to be the Greatest Show on, well if not quite Earth, perhaps the South East. These days they ply their trade in the less lavish surroundings of Middle Park Road in Eltham and, before the start of play, sat handily in fourth place whilst their visitors, Cray Wanderers were second setting up what should have been a good game. A few extra people than expected by Greenwich officials obviously made similar detours to mine, so at 2.30 p.m., programmes had sold out.
The division’s leading goalscorer in Michael Power, Shaggy from his Longmead days, led the line for Cray but for the home side there was no Charlie McDonald. Most people would have expected to see goals in the game, but my record at this ground is sparse pickings apart from the play-off game against Corinthian Casuals last season.
Cray started well, had the ball in the net after nine minutes but ruled out for offside and Power had a shot from the edge of the box deflected over. But once Greenwich got a foothold in the game they held the balance for the rest of the half. After 25 minutes, Tom Beere, quite possibly the best player on the pitch, send Jack Barham clear down the right and collected the cross to fire in a shot that was blocked with the rebound falling to Barham who put it fractionally wide.
The second half saw Cray in the ascendancy with Lea Dawson planting a header against a post just past their hour and Power and Dawson failed to force the ball home as chaos reigned in the Greenwich box following a corner.
As nil-nils go, it was half-decent but this was par for the course for me and Middle Park Road.
Meanwhile, back at the Big Top, a late arrival for whom Tamplin’s favourite communications outlet, Twatter, had obviously passed him by, was bemoaning the lack of a show. “Where are the clowns, there ought to be clowns”, he lamented. Well, maybe next year.
Greenwich Borough (0) 0
Cray Wanderers (0) 0
Attendance: 165
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 77/5,153
Match Report
It was the day that the humble townsfolk had awaited with eager anticipation for months, the day when the Greatest Show on Earth, The Billy’s Dicky Circus, rolled into town. Roll up, roll up. Come and see the roaring lions; Tamplin, the greatest ringmaster of the modern era and clowns, there will be clowns, plenty of clowns.
But, sadly for the humble townsfolk, it rained and it rained. Despite the best efforts of the Top Man, soon the Big Top was awash. No ringmaster of such standing could be expected to perform in such conditions, the humble townsfolk would have to wait until another day.
So, forewarned is forearmed and I hightailed it up the A21 to Greenwich Borough, a club that had pretentions of their own to be the Greatest Show on, well if not quite Earth, perhaps the South East. These days they ply their trade in the less lavish surroundings of Middle Park Road in Eltham and, before the start of play, sat handily in fourth place whilst their visitors, Cray Wanderers were second setting up what should have been a good game. A few extra people than expected by Greenwich officials obviously made similar detours to mine, so at 2.30 p.m., programmes had sold out.
The division’s leading goalscorer in Michael Power, Shaggy from his Longmead days, led the line for Cray but for the home side there was no Charlie McDonald. Most people would have expected to see goals in the game, but my record at this ground is sparse pickings apart from the play-off game against Corinthian Casuals last season.
Cray started well, had the ball in the net after nine minutes but ruled out for offside and Power had a shot from the edge of the box deflected over. But once Greenwich got a foothold in the game they held the balance for the rest of the half. After 25 minutes, Tom Beere, quite possibly the best player on the pitch, send Jack Barham clear down the right and collected the cross to fire in a shot that was blocked with the rebound falling to Barham who put it fractionally wide.
The second half saw Cray in the ascendancy with Lea Dawson planting a header against a post just past their hour and Power and Dawson failed to force the ball home as chaos reigned in the Greenwich box following a corner.
As nil-nils go, it was half-decent but this was par for the course for me and Middle Park Road.
Meanwhile, back at the Big Top, a late arrival for whom Tamplin’s favourite communications outlet, Twatter, had obviously passed him by, was bemoaning the lack of a show. “Where are the clowns, there ought to be clowns”, he lamented. Well, maybe next year.
Saturday, 30 December 2017
Brightlingsea Regent 0 Tonbridge Angels 3
Match 76/17/1526 - Saturday, 30th December 2017 - Bostik Premier
Brightlingsea Regent (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Turner 35 Bennett 63 Bantick 67
Attendance: 261
New Ground: 321
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 190/5,076
I sense there is a general acceptance among Tonbridge supporters that we are where we are and, unless there is an unexpected reversal of the first half of season form, come the end of April we will find ourselves mired in the middle of the table. Inconsistency has been the watchword since August, seemingly unable to string together two performances of similar quality, good or bad.
Since we had endured a low point with the second half display at Folkestone perhaps the long trip to Brightlingsea would bear some fruit, but a first look at the team sheet didn’t really put hope into the heart.
As expected, both strikers, Nathan Elder and Alex Akrofi continued to nurse their hamstrings with Chris Kinnear’s name also being added to the long list of walking wounded.
Liam Smith returned to the starting line-up with Tom Jelley moving into the holding midfield spot vacated by Kinnear.
The visitors started on the front foot with Dan Bennett having an effort deflected over and Craig Stone seeing his header from a Joe Turner corner cleared from the line whilst Brightlingsea offered very little of note.
After 35 minutes the Angels finally got reward for their endeavour when a long cross from Smith on the right found the head of Turner who only needed to steer it back to the far post for the opener.
Tonbridge continued to dominate the half that ended with the home goalkeeper, Harry Palmer, saving low to his left to deny Xavier Vidal.
Fears of another second period following Folkestone were completely unfounded as Tonbridge produced a half of one-way traffic with Sam Bantick and Turner causing the home defence continuous problems from both flanks.
Just past the hour, the dividend was paid when Vidal fed Turner whose low cross was swept home from close range by Bennett.
Seven minutes later, another cross from Turner was almost comically dealt with by the Regent defence with the ball looping into the air for Bantick to volley it home.
Bantick hit a post as Tonbridge sought to add a little cream to their day at the Essex seaside.
This was a first visit to the Taydal Stadium, a ground that is going to find future development restricted to it being back onto by residential properties on all sides.
There was a nice clubhouse with a warm welcome and covered standing in three different positions. The main stand was rather oddly placed towards a corner flag and its scaffolding construction suggested temporary but probably wasn’t.
In the scheme of consistency, the New Year’s Day arrival of the Billericay Circus doesn’t herald well, but as it would have been considered a “free hit”, who knows.
Brightlingsea Regent (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Turner 35 Bennett 63 Bantick 67
Attendance: 261
New Ground: 321
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 190/5,076
Since we had endured a low point with the second half display at Folkestone perhaps the long trip to Brightlingsea would bear some fruit, but a first look at the team sheet didn’t really put hope into the heart.
As expected, both strikers, Nathan Elder and Alex Akrofi continued to nurse their hamstrings with Chris Kinnear’s name also being added to the long list of walking wounded.
Liam Smith returned to the starting line-up with Tom Jelley moving into the holding midfield spot vacated by Kinnear.
The visitors started on the front foot with Dan Bennett having an effort deflected over and Craig Stone seeing his header from a Joe Turner corner cleared from the line whilst Brightlingsea offered very little of note.
After 35 minutes the Angels finally got reward for their endeavour when a long cross from Smith on the right found the head of Turner who only needed to steer it back to the far post for the opener.
Tonbridge continued to dominate the half that ended with the home goalkeeper, Harry Palmer, saving low to his left to deny Xavier Vidal.
Fears of another second period following Folkestone were completely unfounded as Tonbridge produced a half of one-way traffic with Sam Bantick and Turner causing the home defence continuous problems from both flanks.
Just past the hour, the dividend was paid when Vidal fed Turner whose low cross was swept home from close range by Bennett.
Seven minutes later, another cross from Turner was almost comically dealt with by the Regent defence with the ball looping into the air for Bantick to volley it home.
Bantick hit a post as Tonbridge sought to add a little cream to their day at the Essex seaside.
This was a first visit to the Taydal Stadium, a ground that is going to find future development restricted to it being back onto by residential properties on all sides.
There was a nice clubhouse with a warm welcome and covered standing in three different positions. The main stand was rather oddly placed towards a corner flag and its scaffolding construction suggested temporary but probably wasn’t.
In the scheme of consistency, the New Year’s Day arrival of the Billericay Circus doesn’t herald well, but as it would have been considered a “free hit”, who knows.
Tuesday, 26 December 2017
Folkestone Invicta 3 Tonbridge Angels 1
Match 75/17/1525 - Tuesday, 26th December 2017 - Bostik Premier
Folkestone Invicta (0) 3 Hasler 58 Yusuff 65 Draycott 67
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Thompson 11
Attendance: 532
Entrance: £7 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 75/4,886
Tonbridge Angels failed to serve up any festive cheer for their travelling support as they slipped to defeat at Folkestone Invicta after going into the break a goal to the good.
Tonbridge’s wretched luck with injuries continued with Alex Akrofi failing a late fitness test and his strike partner Nathan Elder picking up a hamstring injury and needing to be substituted after just 15 minutes.
With Akrofi missing, into the side came Dan Thompson and Sam Bantick took his place in starting 11 with Dan Bennett dropping to the bench.
After a quiet opening ten minutes, it was the visitors who took the lead a minute later. Joe Turner won a challenge on the right of midfield and fed the ball forward to Bantick whose through ball sent Thompson clear on goal to slot the ball past Tim Roberts in the Invicta goal.
Elder’s substitution proved pivotal to the game. Following his departure, the ball failed to stick in the final third resulting in continuous pressure from the home side.
Jonny Henly made saves from Ian Draycott and the impressive Ade Yusuff before making a desperate stop in first half time-added with Sonny Miles completing the clearance.
Early in the half, Yusuff was allowed to run from midfield before firing in a shot that Henly dealt with comfortably.
But it was the writing on the wall and after 58 minutes the hosts were level when, once again, Scott Heard was allowed to cut in, unchallenged, from the right before shooting past Henly and into the bottom corner.
It was the start of a disastrous nine minutes for the Angels. After 65 minutes, Yusuff cut in from the right hand side and fired in a low shot between Henly and his near post from an acute angle to put Folkestone in front.
Two minutes later it became an uphill task for Tonbridge as a clearance from Henly struck Draycott with the rebound rolling into the unguarded net. It might be said that the scoreline was no more than Folkestone deserved but it was a cruel blow.
With Tonbridge barely threatening in the final third they were desperately holding on to save a heavier defeat. Henly saved from Yusuff and Hasler before Thompson steered a header wide from Turner for the Angels’ only effort of the second half, this coming in the first minute of added time.
Barry Moore said after the game: "I'm extremely disappointed. I thought we looked solid first half. We said (at half time) don't drop off but we didn't keep the ball well enough going forward."
Steve McKimm will be crossing fingers and toes that his front two are available for Saturday’s trip to Brightlingsea Regent.
Folkestone Invicta (0) 3 Hasler 58 Yusuff 65 Draycott 67
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Thompson 11
Attendance: 532
Entrance: £7 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 75/4,886
Tonbridge’s wretched luck with injuries continued with Alex Akrofi failing a late fitness test and his strike partner Nathan Elder picking up a hamstring injury and needing to be substituted after just 15 minutes.
With Akrofi missing, into the side came Dan Thompson and Sam Bantick took his place in starting 11 with Dan Bennett dropping to the bench.
After a quiet opening ten minutes, it was the visitors who took the lead a minute later. Joe Turner won a challenge on the right of midfield and fed the ball forward to Bantick whose through ball sent Thompson clear on goal to slot the ball past Tim Roberts in the Invicta goal.
Elder’s substitution proved pivotal to the game. Following his departure, the ball failed to stick in the final third resulting in continuous pressure from the home side.
Jonny Henly made saves from Ian Draycott and the impressive Ade Yusuff before making a desperate stop in first half time-added with Sonny Miles completing the clearance.
Early in the half, Yusuff was allowed to run from midfield before firing in a shot that Henly dealt with comfortably.
But it was the writing on the wall and after 58 minutes the hosts were level when, once again, Scott Heard was allowed to cut in, unchallenged, from the right before shooting past Henly and into the bottom corner.
It was the start of a disastrous nine minutes for the Angels. After 65 minutes, Yusuff cut in from the right hand side and fired in a low shot between Henly and his near post from an acute angle to put Folkestone in front.
Two minutes later it became an uphill task for Tonbridge as a clearance from Henly struck Draycott with the rebound rolling into the unguarded net. It might be said that the scoreline was no more than Folkestone deserved but it was a cruel blow.
With Tonbridge barely threatening in the final third they were desperately holding on to save a heavier defeat. Henly saved from Yusuff and Hasler before Thompson steered a header wide from Turner for the Angels’ only effort of the second half, this coming in the first minute of added time.
Barry Moore said after the game: "I'm extremely disappointed. I thought we looked solid first half. We said (at half time) don't drop off but we didn't keep the ball well enough going forward."
Steve McKimm will be crossing fingers and toes that his front two are available for Saturday’s trip to Brightlingsea Regent.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
Tonbridge Angels 2 Harrow Borough 1
Match 74/17/1524 - Saturday, 23rd December 2017 - Bostik Premier
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Akrofi 51 Elder 75
Harrow Borough (0) 1 Cumberbatch 72 (pen)
Attendance: 377
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,811
To get back into the play-off mix, it is felt that this Christmas period needs to yield a substantial haul of available points albeit that the Billericay circus comes to town on New Year’s Day.
So, following a first half as dull as any I’ve seen this season, the three points hard-earned in the second period were a welcome start to the festive season.
It took 28 minutes for me to make the first entry into my notebook, a tame header from Ryan Moss comfortably saved by Jonny Henly, an effort that I wouldn’t normally bother to record. Six minutes later following a Dan Bennett corner, Nathan Elder’s header was also comfortably dealt with by Melvin Minter and that was it for the first half “entertainment”.
The second period started brighter and Tonbridge went ahead six minutes into the half. Alex Akrofi was sent clear by Xavier Vidal, as he rounded the goalkeeper, he stumbled to the ground but bounced back up to roll the ball into the empty net.
The home side with their tails up created further chances with Tom Jelley flashing a cross across the face of goal; Akrofi brought a low save out of Minter before they were awarded a penalty after 63 minutes when substitute Sam Bantick was felled in the area. Joe Turner’s spot kick was well struck but too close to Minter who pushed the ball up onto the underside of the bar completing the save as the ball rebounded into his hands.
Ten minutes later the price was paid for the miss as Harrow were awarded a penalty of their own when Sahr Kabba was brought down. Kurtis Cumberbatch despatched his spot kick sending Henly the wrong way.
The visitor’s parity lasted just three minutes when Akrofi latched onto a woeful back pass and although forced wide rounding the keeper he had the presence of mind to stand up a cross for Elder to head home.
Lady Luck smiled on the Angels with five minutes remaining when a Harrow corner was headed against the right hand post with the rebound dropping into Henly’s welcoming hands.
Dan Thompson brought a low save out of Minter as Tonbridge saw out an extended period of time added to send their supporters home to their Christmas preparations in good spirits.
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Akrofi 51 Elder 75
Harrow Borough (0) 1 Cumberbatch 72 (pen)
Attendance: 377
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,811
So, following a first half as dull as any I’ve seen this season, the three points hard-earned in the second period were a welcome start to the festive season.
It took 28 minutes for me to make the first entry into my notebook, a tame header from Ryan Moss comfortably saved by Jonny Henly, an effort that I wouldn’t normally bother to record. Six minutes later following a Dan Bennett corner, Nathan Elder’s header was also comfortably dealt with by Melvin Minter and that was it for the first half “entertainment”.
The second period started brighter and Tonbridge went ahead six minutes into the half. Alex Akrofi was sent clear by Xavier Vidal, as he rounded the goalkeeper, he stumbled to the ground but bounced back up to roll the ball into the empty net.
The home side with their tails up created further chances with Tom Jelley flashing a cross across the face of goal; Akrofi brought a low save out of Minter before they were awarded a penalty after 63 minutes when substitute Sam Bantick was felled in the area. Joe Turner’s spot kick was well struck but too close to Minter who pushed the ball up onto the underside of the bar completing the save as the ball rebounded into his hands.
Ten minutes later the price was paid for the miss as Harrow were awarded a penalty of their own when Sahr Kabba was brought down. Kurtis Cumberbatch despatched his spot kick sending Henly the wrong way.
The visitor’s parity lasted just three minutes when Akrofi latched onto a woeful back pass and although forced wide rounding the keeper he had the presence of mind to stand up a cross for Elder to head home.
Lady Luck smiled on the Angels with five minutes remaining when a Harrow corner was headed against the right hand post with the rebound dropping into Henly’s welcoming hands.
Dan Thompson brought a low save out of Minter as Tonbridge saw out an extended period of time added to send their supporters home to their Christmas preparations in good spirits.
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Thamesmead Town 1 Corinthian Casuals 1
Match 73/17/1523 - Tuesday, 19th December 2017 - Isthmian League Cup Round 3
Thamesmead Town (0) 1 Vines 51
Corinthian Casuals (0) 1 Ottaway 78
Corinthian Casuals won 5-3 on penalties
At Dartford FC
|Attendance: 56
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 62/4,773
Kent’s last team standing in the Isthmian League cup fell by the wayside after a penalty shoot-out in a somewhat unfortunate manner.
A draw at the end of 90 minutes was probably about right and the meagre crowd of 56 on a night a bit milder than recently were not asked to endure extra-time.
It looked like traffic congestion was going to mean that I would miss the kick-off but Doris the Direction lady steered me down a couple of alternative routes to arrive in the car park with five minutes to spare, only to find that the start had been delayed by a quarter-hour!
Ex-Angels boss Tommy Warrilow does not appear to have aged a single day since his departure from Tonbridge four years ago and his skipper, Scott Kinch, for the most part was influential in midfield.
The best of the first half chances fell one per side. After 27 minutes, a punt forward saw Thamesmead’s goalkeeper, Max Ovenden, head clear from the edge of his penalty area to the feet of Josh Uzun whose lob towards the empty net drifted wide.
Thamesmead’s best chance of the half came a couple of minutes before the break when Paul Vines headed into the path of Bode Anidugbe who also pulled his shot wide.
In first half time added, the host's Tom O’Connor had a shooting opportunity but fired over.
Thamesmead went in front after 51 minutes when O’Connor found Vines at the left hand angle of the box and an audacious lob over the slightly advanced Danny Bracken found the far corner.
Ovenden made a fine save to make-up for some hesitancy that allowed Gabriel Odunaike a lobbed attempt after 73 minutes, but he had no chance five minutes later when a corner from the right was met with a powerful header from Harry Ottaway.
Casuals thought they had won the game when Odunaike had the ball in the net with two minutes remaining but it was ruled out by a linesman’s flag for offside.
The destiny of the penalty shoot-out was set with the very first kick. Ottaway’s effort was saved by Ovenden but the ball squirmed out of his hands to cross the line. Thamesmead’s opening penalty from Raphael Duyile was wide leaving Corinthian Casuals to safely dispatch each one of their remaining kicks to make their way into the Quarter-Finals.
Thamesmead Town (0) 1 Vines 51
Corinthian Casuals (0) 1 Ottaway 78
Corinthian Casuals won 5-3 on penalties
At Dartford FC
|Attendance: 56
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 62/4,773
A draw at the end of 90 minutes was probably about right and the meagre crowd of 56 on a night a bit milder than recently were not asked to endure extra-time.
It looked like traffic congestion was going to mean that I would miss the kick-off but Doris the Direction lady steered me down a couple of alternative routes to arrive in the car park with five minutes to spare, only to find that the start had been delayed by a quarter-hour!
Ex-Angels boss Tommy Warrilow does not appear to have aged a single day since his departure from Tonbridge four years ago and his skipper, Scott Kinch, for the most part was influential in midfield.
The best of the first half chances fell one per side. After 27 minutes, a punt forward saw Thamesmead’s goalkeeper, Max Ovenden, head clear from the edge of his penalty area to the feet of Josh Uzun whose lob towards the empty net drifted wide.
Thamesmead’s best chance of the half came a couple of minutes before the break when Paul Vines headed into the path of Bode Anidugbe who also pulled his shot wide.
In first half time added, the host's Tom O’Connor had a shooting opportunity but fired over.
Thamesmead went in front after 51 minutes when O’Connor found Vines at the left hand angle of the box and an audacious lob over the slightly advanced Danny Bracken found the far corner.
Ovenden made a fine save to make-up for some hesitancy that allowed Gabriel Odunaike a lobbed attempt after 73 minutes, but he had no chance five minutes later when a corner from the right was met with a powerful header from Harry Ottaway.
Casuals thought they had won the game when Odunaike had the ball in the net with two minutes remaining but it was ruled out by a linesman’s flag for offside.
The destiny of the penalty shoot-out was set with the very first kick. Ottaway’s effort was saved by Ovenden but the ball squirmed out of his hands to cross the line. Thamesmead’s opening penalty from Raphael Duyile was wide leaving Corinthian Casuals to safely dispatch each one of their remaining kicks to make their way into the Quarter-Finals.
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