Welling United (1) 3 Pires 45, 75 Pugh 70
Tonbridge (2) 2 Collin 6,20
Att. 545
Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 94/777
Match Report
Despite moving into a two goal lead at Park View Road, Tonbridge were offered another lesson as to the difference between Conference and Ryman football. As the teams lined up for kick off, it was visibly apparent just how big this Welling side were. They were big and they were strong, I don’t subscribe to the viewpoint that Tonbridge were outclassed but I certainly would consider them outmuscled.
Tonbridge were given an early shot across the bows when Lee Clarke put an unchallenged header over the bar from close range after just a couple of minutes. Tonbridge moved into the lead soon after, Frannie Collin won the ball in midfield, moved inside and let fly a shot from 25 yards that sped its way across the damp turf past the outstretched hands of Dan Thomas.
For the remainder of the half the game took the course that would ensue for the entire match. Welling were so much stronger, they overran the Angels in midfield and this put unrelenting pressure on Tonbridge’s back line. Lee Worgan was forced into several saves and Jon Heath cleared from the line after ex-Gillingham striker Andy Pugh had poked the ball goalwards.
Five minutes remained of the half when Tonbridge delivered a real sucker punch. In a rare attack, Ade Olorunda fired in a shot that was parried by Thomas but only into the path of Collin who tucked the ball home from close range. Any Tonbridge supporter present, and plenty of them had made the journey to South London, could hardly have believed their eyes.
Tonbridge needed to see their lead to the break and as the clock had ticked past the minute added time it appeared that they had done so. Unfortunately the referee’s watch didn’t tick as fast as mine and he awarded a free kick on the box following a foul by Anthony Storey. The free kick from Clarke was saved by Worgan but Loick Pires was able to knock in the rebound to send the Wings to the dressing room with renewed vigour.
A second half equaliser was only a matter of time as the home side pressed continuously and it eventually came on 70 minutes when Ben Andrews slipped on the wet turf allowing Pugh a clear run and a cool finish. The Tonbridge resistance was now broken and within five minutes Welling were in front when a Pires header found the bottom corner from a Lou Fazackerley corner. The comeback was complete and it was no more than the Wings deserved.
Tommy Warrilow introduced Jon Main from the bench but he was not allowed to make any impression as Welling continued to the finish with their dominance.
Tonbridge will be stronger, especially in midfield, once Lewis Taylor and Scott Kinch are fit to return (both were involved in the pre-match warm up). It remains to be seen whether the squad that took the club from the Ryman is going to be strong enough for this Division. The quality is almost certainly there, the muscle is not.
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