Match 18/09/770 - Saturday, 12th September 2009 -
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying
Tonbridge (1) 1 Minshull 38
Metropolitan Police (0) 0
Att. 352
Entrance: Sneaked in late
Programme: None
Mileage: 26/2,473
Match Report
The keyboard warriors and the genuine hooligans of Gillingham, Millwall and West Ham did me a little favour in forcing a 12.30 kick off at Priestfield. The police had enforced the early start on Gillingham in the face of the potential for crowd trouble, especially as the West Ham element became involved.
As it happened, at least as far as I saw, the game went off peacefully but the early finish gave me the opportunity to hot foot it to Tonbridge for their FA Cup game against Metropolitan Police. I missed the opening 15 minutes and sheepishly took my place on the sidelines having not paid for entry, the turnstile operator having retired to watch the game.
Sadly my endeavours were not rewarded with sparkling entertainment but at least Tonbridge progressed to the next round with a single goal victory. A 38th minute Lee Minshull goal ultimately proved the difference in a game that Tonbridge deserved to win, but were less than impressive. Several chances for the home side went begging before a Jamie Cade miscue fell kindly to Minshull whose scuffed shot found the bottom corner.
Fussy refereeing, a hot afternoon and a misfiring Tonbridge strike force combined to make for a frustrating afternoon (and made me feel less guilty about not paying!). After half-an-hour of the second half Paul Booth laid on a sitter for Carl Rook, who somehow sidefooted wide, it was synonymous of the match in general.
The £3,000 prize money will be a welcome entry to Tonbridge’s credit column and a place in Monday’s draw for the Second Qualifying Round offers the opportunity for further riches.
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