Thamesmead 0 Tonbridge 1

Match 01/07/618 - Saturday, 14th July 2007 - Pre-season Friendly

Thamesmead (0) 0
Tonbridge (1) 1 Main 22
Att. 70-ish

Entrance: £5
Programme: Free with entry
Mileage 75/75

Pre-season is always a welcome arrival, but this July it has come when summer frustration, borne out of poor weather and a Test Series against the West Indies that was one-sided and consequently lacking in interest was setting in. There is still a series against India that might redeem the cricket season, but in a summer that doesn’t have a major tournament to focus on, albeit that the U21 Euros proved a distraction, I was ready to hit the road again.

Tonbridge’s initial pre-season game at Kent League Thamesmead Town provided the first game of my 2007-08 season. This was my second visit to Bayliss Avenue, having visited five or six years ago when Tonbridge were themselves in the Kent League. The ground has not changed at all in that time, still just the one stand (pictured). But big change is expected in the very near future as Thamesmead have submitted plans to build a new stadium for the beginning of next season. The south London side have a large catchment area that should provide more than an average attendance of just 65, but the competition is fierce not only from the major London clubs, but several non-league clubs are also parked on their doorstep. The one thing that has improved is signage directing visitors to the ground. I vividly remember last time driving around in circles, but this time with the aid of the signs I found the ground with ease.

Without a tannoy system, the first 20 minutes are spent are spent working out who’s who of the Tonbridge new boys. The game itself was usual pre-season, lacking any sort of competitive edge and Tonbridge won more comfortably than the one goal scoreline suggests. Jon Main, who else, scored the only goal after a mid-half drinks break latching on to a punt forward that could not have been dealt with any more poorly by the Thamesmead defence. The second half fell away with multiple substitutions and banter between the portly Richard Dimmock and the Tonbridge bench provided the best entertainment. Over the years I’ve seen quite a few of the likes of Dimmo, players that have obviously had something about them in their day and whilst the years might have added a few pounds there is still that bit of quality that catches the eye.

Fan-style pre-season training will continue next week at Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover.