Tonbridge 2 Farnborough 3

Match 48/12/1001 - Saturday, 2 February 2013 - Conference South

Tonbridge (1) 2 Collin 37, Lovell 73
Farnborough (2) 3 Connolly 20, 33 Tarpey 56
Att. 491

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/3,673

Match Report

As January’s weather continued to blight the non-league fixture list, its consequences were highlighted as some Kent clubs needed to make big decisions following a month in which they have struggled to make any income through the turnstiles. Tunbridge Wells’ long awaited FA Vase tie against Dunston UPS was postponed a third time and now face a deadline of next Saturday to complete the tie whilst Ebbsfleet United have asked their supporters to “lose a few of the Christmas poundage” in other words make a donation of £30 to help the club through this “lost” month to avoid dipping into their February earnings to make up the shortfall. Whilst, at Tonbridge, a couple of players have been released to balance the books following new arrivals, but doubtless they are also suffering from a lack of home income having had only six home fixtures in the past three months.

Rory Hill is the latest player to make way at Longmead, following Ben Judge’s departure, whilst Mikel Suarez will continue his rehabilitation from the head injury sustained in the reverse fixture in October on dual registration. It is a fact of life at this level that players have to be moved on when the manager wants to bring in new faces and while money is the principal governing factor, players want to play football rather than sit on the sidelines week after week.

Three games without defeat had propelled the Angels into the top half of the table and within spitting distance of a play-off place, but such is the compactness of this division that a similar run would almost certainly see them looking over their shoulders once more.

Farnborough arrived in Kent a club smarting from a four point deduction for use of a player without international clearance but also on the back of an impressive win against the league leaders, Salisbury Town.

Tonbridge will look back with regret at two golden chances at either end of the game as to why their Hampshire opponents departed with the three points in their pockets. With only four minutes on the clock Nathan Green spooned a close range chance over the bar following an effort from Lee Browning and right at the death of the game, George Purcell dragged a shot well wide when one on target would almost certainly have brought Tonbridge the point that their late rally might just have deserved.

In truth, Farnborough bossed a lot of the game and their swift movement was too much for a Tonbridge back four missing Olly Schulz. They were all over the place as the visitors were denied a goal by an offside flag and were as stationary as terracotta soldiers when Reece Connolly converted at the near post from a corner.

It was looking all too easy for the visitors as Nic Ciardini tip-toed his way through the Tonbridge defence only to see his first effort cleared from the line and his second hit a post before Connolly converted the rebound.

A touch of the Francis Collin magic was needed to get the Angels back into the game and it duly arrived on 37 minutes when a free kick from fully 30 yards bent its way past the substitute goalkeeper who had replaced Craig Bradshaw, who was stretchered off following a collision with Green with an injury that was later revealed as a broken leg.

Tonbridge’s hopes of getting back into the game in the second half were dealt a blow when Dave Tarpey angled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box on the hour. Tonbridge laid siege on the Farnborough goal and all was to play for 15 minutes from time when Mark Lovell glanced a Collin free kick into the net to reduce the arrears.

A succession of corners were forced and chances fell to Tonbridge, none better than Purcell’s last gasp miss that allowed the Farnborough side to celebrate a double over their hosts this season.

As January passes us by, hopefully the weather will relent and the turnstiles can be clicking on a regular basis and Tunbridge Wells can finally pursue their opportunity of a place in the last 16 of the FA Vase.