Havant & Waterlooville (0) 1 Nanetti 69
Tonbridge (1) 1 Browning 90+2
Att. 708
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 202/4,388
New Ground: 248
Match Report
The sun shone down on Tonbridge Angels at Havant, and many would say that the sun has shone on them for the most part of their inaugural season in Conference South. This hard-earned point at Westleigh Park takes their total to 52, retains their position at eighth place, both of which were beyond most people’s expectations back in August.This wasn’t one of Tonbridge’s better performances and it took a 25-yard strike from Lee Browning in time added-on to rescue a point against relegation-threatened Havant and Waterlooville who had been reduced to 10 men with the sending off of Oliver Palmer on 63 minutes.
There was a strong Tonbridge presence enjoying the spring sunshine outside the home club’s Westleigh pub before the game and they were the set of supporter’s that celebrated the draw at the end of the match. The Havant support was infuriated by a refereeing decision that turned away a penalty appeal in the dying seconds, from a distance it was certainly a shout that I have seen given, but the referee chose to book Christian Nanetti for diving.
Tonbridge started brightly, a Chris Piper shot clipped the bar on its way over and Miguel Suarez headed wide when he had time to bring the ball under control and shoot. The visitors suffered a setback on 11 minutes when Jon Heath had to be withdrawn following a knock in the opening minutes, Robbie Kember replacing him at full back.
The game settled into an even contest before Tonbridge had an assault on the Havant goal on 25 minutes that should have yielded the opening goal. Frannie Collin shot low and hard forcing Hawks’ goalkeeper, Lyall Beasely into a parrying save into the path of Suarez. As the giant centre forward closed in, the keeper dived at his feet to smother his toe-poked effort.
Havant finished the half with greater attacking intention with, firstly, Scott Jones making the most of an Ollie Schultz error to cross across the face of goal, Palmer failing narrowly to get a touch and Lee Worgan gathered a well struck shot from Scott Ramsey. In between Palmer picked up an unnecessary yellow card for petulantly throwing the ball into the ground after not getting a decision to his liking.
The first half had been one in which Tonbridge had failed to utilise the width that is offered by Rory Hill and Nathan Korantang and far too often resorted to the long high ball to Suarez, of which he won most but the understanding between him and Collin seemed off colour. The start of the second half saw Tonbridge get the lively Korantang more on the ball and his pace was often too much for the Hawks’ back line.
The game appeared to turn in the visitors’ favour when Palmer was sent off for a late challenge on Danny Walder after 73 minutes. The Havant youngster has apparently attracted the attention of Chelsea, unfortunately he will need to adjust his temperament to find his way into their ranks as this was a completely senseless sending off. Walder had long since hooked the ball back to his goalkeeper before Palmer clattered in to earn a second yellow to add to his needless first half card.
Havant’s 10 men fought their way back into the game and when Chris Arthur seized on a mistake from Kember, he powered forward, rounded Worgan and crossed for Nanetti to poke home from close range, it was a classic counter attack that had left the Angels short at the back. Tonbridge suffered at the hands of Havant’s renewed confidence and Worgan had to be at his best to save with his legs from Jones.
With 15 minutes to go, Tommy Warrilow went for broke, substituting Kember for Joe Benjamin and going three at the back. It eventually paid dividends in time added-on. Collin’s free kick was only cleared to the edge of the box from where Browning fired into the top corner to the delight of the visiting support.
Time added-on proved to be the most dramatic period of the game. Havant had the penalty appeal that much infuriated their fans when Nanetti took his tumble in the box and Tonbridge might well have stolen the points in the very last attack of the game when Schultz crashed a header against the bar from a corner kick. The game ended honours even and fairly so.
Westleigh Park is a nice stadium with cover on all four sides. There is a main stand that I would estimate holds around the 500 mark seated and there is fairly shallow terracing on the other three sides. It is aesthetically not pleasing on the eye, but very functional at this level, in fact I would say it is precisely what Tonbridge require along their uncovered, unterraced side at Longmead.
Tonbridge’s ambitions for the season are chasing seventh place and perhaps overhauling old foes Dover, one might happen, one probably will not. The Hawks continue their relegation tussle and I wish them well, as my day in the Hampshire sunshine was most enjoyable.
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