Tonbridge 1 Oxford United 0

Match 39/07/656 - Tuesday, 19th December 2007 - FA Trophy 1st Rd Replay

Tonbridge (1) 1 Barr 30
Oxford United (0) 0
Att. 642

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,423

Match Report

A magical night a Longmead. A Conference (in old money) team beaten and over the two games it was no more than Tonbridge deserved. A Hamid Barr goal after half an hour ultimately settled the game that produced a tense and dramatic conclusion.

Tonbridge were further weakened by the suspensions of Ray Powell and Anthony Storey to add to the cup-tied Rook, Edusei and Westcott. Oxford themselves had the experienced keeper, Billy Turley suspended to be replaced by a 16-year-old, who in fairness did OK.

The game itself followed a similar pattern to the first encounter at the Kassam on Saturday. Tonbridge having the best of the first half, but this time having a goal to reward their efforts. Barr driving in from the edge of the box. Second half was a different story with Oxford exerting even more pressure than they were able to in the first match. Chance after chance went begging as Tonbridge rode their luck and the time slowly ebbed away. The small contingent of Oxford supporters were becoming more irate with their forwards profligacy.

Time was moving towards the 90 when Tonbridge seemingly decided that it might just be the moment to either self-destruct or, at the very least, ratchet up the tension. First, Scott Kinch, who had been a man on a mission in the centre of midfield, got involved in a pushing and shoving match with an opponent and the resultant yellow saw him sent off, having been booked earlier. If that was bad enough, Hamid Barr needlessly rounded the keeper after the whistle had blown for offside and was also sent off for a second yellow. Now down to nine men, thankfully Tonbridge had to survive for no more than a minute to seal a memorable victory.

Tonbridge’s message board hummed until well after midnight with celebrating fans all wanting to add their opinions and congratulations.

Singling players out on the night is not entirely fair, but special mentions should go to John Beales, nobody would wish him to leave Longmead but the lad deserves to be playing at a much higher level. He has trialled at Gillingham and seemingly nothing has come of it. Also worthy of mention is goalkeeper Matt Reed, who endured a shaky spell a couple of months ago but is now developing into a fine prospect.

Tommy Warrilow is being hailed as something of a Messiah and he is certainly doing everything right at this moment in time. One defeat in eleven since he arrived is impressive in itself and now he has perhaps the greatest giant-killing in Tonbridge’s history to put on his CV.

The disappointment on the night, apart from the sending-offs, was the 642 attendance. There was very little support from Oxford, reported at only 57, but my guess is that was about 30 short, but on a night when it wasn’t particularly cold and there was no Champions League football on the television, I think the club deserved a better turn-out. For those that could not be bothered to exit their armchairs, you missed a historic night at the Longmead Stadium.