Tonbridge 2 Hendon 1

Match 42/10/860 - Tuesday, 11 January 2011 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 2 Olorunda 38, Collin (pen) 73
Hendon (1) 1 Aite-Ouakrim 8
Att. 267

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/6,452

Match Report

Tonbridge inched themselves to within one place of the play-off places with a second come-from-behind win in four days against a lively Hendon side.

The shine was taken off the victory by an injury to Scott Gooding, who only recently returned to fitness following a long lay-off. Gooding was prostrate on the floor as Hendon’s Belal Aite-Ouakrim collected a pass after Chris Piper had been dispossessed and scored with ease. Nobody was actually near the defender as he went down, appearing to catch his studs in the turf. The game was stopped for a good five minutes as the unfortunate defender was stretchered off.

Aite-Ouakrim proved to be a handful throughout the first half showing great pace and this was the hallmark of the visitors who moved the ball about with great purpose. Ben Judge came on for Gooding and slowly the home side regained an element of the control of the match.

Five minutes from half time Tonbridge were helped back into the match. Lee Browning passed forward towards Ade Olorunda. The Hendon goalkeeper, James Readings, charged from his goal without a hope of reaching it before the striker. Olorunda took it past the keeper and slotted into the empty net from the edge of the box. It was a well-taken goal, but the keeper should never have been so far from home.

Tonbridge enjoyed much the better of the second period but it was the aforementioned striker with the impossible name who went closest firing into the side netting from a good position.

The home side eventually took the lead with 17 minutes remaining following a soft penalty award. Frannie Collin attempted to turn away from a Hendon defender and was hauled to the ground. Collin despatched the penalty himself sending the keeper the wrong way.

Readings redeemed himself for his first half error with an excellent double save denying Piper and Lewis Taylor before saving once more from Browning.

On a chilly night, only 267 attended and although there was Carling Cup football live on BBC2, I’m more inclined to think that doubt surrounding whether the match would go ahead following heavy rain was a greater contributory factor. A late postponement of the last home fixture would have played on some people’s minds. Those that decided that the risk was worthwhile were treated to a good night’s entertainment.