Tonbridge (2) 4 Rook 17 Edusei 27, 48, 85
Hendon (0) 0
Att. 389
Entrance: £8
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 26/5,514
Match Report
A month ago I left Longmead after a cruise against no-hopers Leyton that made it more four wins on the trot. Relegation fears had been left behind for mid-table safety and there were a few optimistic fools about making noises of play-off places.
One month on and having been completely tied up with Gillingham’s relegation fight I returned with the club having put together a seven match winning sequence sadly ended by a ridiculously late injury time goal against champions-elect Chelmsford. A win on Saturday restored the upwardly mobile momentum and this re-arranged fixture had offered myself the opportunity to witness this surge towards the play-offs.
Hendon, themselves play-off contenders, quickly showed their intention to go for the three points. They had a couple of early chances, one of which was well saved by Matt Reed, and the two lads leading the line looked as if they were going to be a real handful.
On 17 minutes a corner is flicked on and Carl Rook is at the far post to head the Angels in front. Twenty minutes later and the act is repeated, this time John Beales flicking on for twice-rejected ex-Gill Akwasi Edusei to meet and touch in from close range. Before half-time there was concern as Beales was stretchered off following a tackle that was caught on camera and didn’t look very pretty. Thankfully, Bealesy was later seen walking around the perimeters and might even be fit for Saturday. Tommy Tyne had also limped out of the game earlier and there was a general anxiety that the two goal half time lead might be tested.
Hendon pressed early in the second half and had an early chance but after just three minutes Tonbridge all but tied the game up with Edusei adding his second of the night from close range. With the game having been put out of their reach, unfortunately Hendon’s discipline went with it and their booking tally quickly rose to five and a couple of on-pitch scuffles kept the referee busy. With five minutes to go Edusei tied up his hat-trick when he collected a loose ball won by a extremely high Scott Kinch foot to spin and plant the ball beyond the Hendon keeper.
Tonbridge had made it into the play-off places with this superb display. There are some tough encounters to come and the Angels will do well to get maximum points from tricky away games at Billericay and Carshalton and a home match with play-off certs AFC Hornchurch.
On a cold night, a healthy 389 turned their back on Liverpool v Arsenal in Champions League action on terrestrial television and were well rewarded for their effort.
I could not resist nicking this off the Tonbridge Forum, thanks to cubsur51 for posting it, not often Tonbridge get such prominence on Sky Sports.
No comments:
Post a Comment