Ryman Premier Play-off Semi-Final
Tonbridge (0) 2 Rook (pen) 72, Booth 82
Carshalton Athletic (1) 3 Jolly 24, 83, Ide 49
Att. 1,249
Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/8,085
Match Report
Tonbridge’s season finished abruptly in disappointment at Longmead last night with a 3-2 defeat in the Ryman League Play Off Semi Final. They entered the game with the favourite tag by virtue of their higher league position thus earning the right to stage the game.But this did not work out as for long periods Carshalton Athletic were the better side and well-deserving of their two goal lead before Tonbridge hit back to draw level. Tonbridge’s home form throughout the season has been patchy and until they lost at Longmead in February, Carshalton had been unbeaten away from home, perhaps the home advantage was never to be a defining factor for the Angels.
Despite Champions League football on the television, a healthy crowd of 1,249 turned out on what ended up a chilly night, with a sizeable contingent from Surrey to support their own favourites.
Tonbridge had an early chance after eight minutes when Carl Rook headed against the bar following a Steve Ferguson long throw. But after 25 minutes of sparring when neither side managed to hold sway it was the visitors that gained the advantage. Simon Glover vacated his left back position to challenge for a ball in midfield, having lost out the ball was fed to Richard Jolly in the position that Glover had emptied. Jolly entered the box and finished immaculately with an angled shot from 12 yards.
After just four minutes of the second half Carshalton doubled their advantage. This time Anthony Storey was guilty of losing possession in midfield, Jolly was given a shooting opportunity from which Lee Worgan made a parrying save but Charlie Ide was on hand to side foot home the rebound.
On 72 minutes Tonbridge are given a lifeline as Ferguson is brought down in the box, Rook converts the penalty giving the home support further reason to up the noise levels, which had been encouraging all night, even at two goals down.
Eight minues remained when Storey found substitute Lee Minshull at the right side of the box. Minshull calmly crossed for Paul Booth to score the equaliser. With parity restored Tonbridge now had the momentum to go on and win the game, but within a minute they found themselves behind once more. In an adrenaline rush, they threw bodies forward in search of the winner, from one such attack the ball was heaved out of defence. Simon Glover was left in a foot race with Richard Jolly and there could be only one winner. Once clear the only question was can Jolly finish as clinically again, of course he could. You don’t score nearly forty goals in a season without being able to hold your nerve in those circumstances.
The Ryman League play-offs are harsh inasmuch that there are no second chances, no second legs, but the team finishing highest in the league are rewarded with home advantage, for Tonbridge this was a poisoned chalice. The best side won on the night and go on to meet Staines in the final.
Tonbridge must hope that without a runaway champions, as Dover were this season, that next season they continue their upward improvement in the Premier Division. Last season they finished just outside the play-offs, losing to none other than Carshalton on the last day, this season they have failed in the play-offs having finished third. Next time, they need to go one better once more and not require the play-off lottery.
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