AFC Wimbledon 2 Tonbridge 2

Match 49/07/666 - Saturday, 26th January 2008 - Ryman Premier

AFC Wimbledon (2) 2 Main 4,39
Tonbridge (0) 2 Rook 47, 63
Att. 2,732

Entrance: £9
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 128/4,080

Match Report

A game of the inevitable, the unforgivable and the unlikely. This is the third AFC Wimbledon v Tonbridge game this season, each time from the start AFC have looked to be superior but on two of these occasions they have failed to convert that superiority into three points. The exception being the Trophy tie when a weakened Tonbridge were simply not competitive on the day.

It was, of course, inevitable that Jon Main would score against his old employers but within four minutes and in front of the fans who had adored him for so long? Credit to the man that there was no celebration to rub salt into the wound, but rubbing salt he was 25 minutes later when he sharply turned in a cross to double the Dons advantage.

At this point another drubbing looked the likely outcome, despite Beales hitting a post, Tonbridge were probably glad to hear the half time whistle with just a two goal deficit. But like the first game in November a different set of Angels emerged for the second half. They quickly got a goal back through a Carl Rook header after good wing play from Kirk Watts. The ability to get the ball to the wingers Watts and Westcott that had been lacking in the first half was now reaping rich dividends as Watts in particular was running his full back ragged. It was probably the frustration of the chasing he was getting that led to an unforgivable tackle from the defender that clattered his tormentor into the advertising hoardings. It was an absolutely disgraceful challenge that has no place on a football pitch. It was equally unforgivable that the referee saw only fit to issue a yellow card.

In fairness Watts recovered to continue his tormenting and it was from his cross in the 63rd minute that Rook converted to draw the Angels level. Tonbridge were now the team calling the tune and going into time added on had an effort cleared off the line to deny them another famous victory at Kingsmeadow.

It was unfortunate that Jon Main needed to be substituted midway through the second half with a suspected broken metatarsal. Good luck to him, his respect for the Tonbridge faithful after his goals is noted and well received.

First time at Kingsmeadow for a AFC Wimbledon game, but have been on a couple of occasions for Kingstonian fixtures. It is a functional rather than attractive stadium that is obviously good quality for Ryman Premier level and plans are in the pipeline for it to be improved in the coming months.