Tonbridge Angels 3 Billericay Town 2

Match 11/08/695 - Tuesday, 9th September 2008 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 OG 18, Cade 33, Rook 55 (pen)
Billericay Town (2) 2 Bricknell 36, Shave 45
Att. 344

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,298

First trip to Longmead for a league game this season and was rewarded on a damp night with an entertaining game that was highlighted by some naïve defending from both sides in the first half.

Tonbridge have made a reasonable, but inconsistent start to the season. From two down they were 3-2 victors at Ramsgate and a week later experienced the exact opposite at Canvey Island. A good home win against Harlow was countered by what was by all accounts an horrendous display against Tooting. Consistently inconsistent.

Last Saturday saw the Angels win the grudge derby at Maidstone with an injury time winner. They took this result into tonight’s game against a club that have proved a bogey side too often.

Tonbridge went ahead in the 20th minute when Billericay's central defender turned a cross from Fraser Logan into his own net. Logan was also instrumental for the second goal when a cross eventually found its way to Jamie Cade to finish comfortably.

But two pieces of crass defending allowed Billericay back into the game before half time. Although ex-AFC Wimbledon man Steve Ferguson and Billy Bricknell were a handful, there was no accounting for an awful attempt to play offside from a free kick that left no fewer than four white shirts onside before it was side-footed home with ease.

The second half was defensively tighter but Tonbridge edged in front when on-loan striker Chamal Fenelon was hauled down by the goalkeeper for a penalty. Carl Rook drove home the kick straight down the middle. Fenelon looked a useful acquisition all evening and with Ade Olurunda out for up to six weeks, Tommy Warrilow must be hoping to extend his stay from Lewes beyond one month.

On the night, Tonbridge just about deserved to edge the game and now look forward to the big FA Cup tie against Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic, who tonight sit proudly at the top of the Ryman Premier and have just enlisted Gillingham’s Nicky Southall on loan. It is somewhat surprising that Gillingham have given permission for him to play in the cup tie.