Tonbridge 1 Welling United 1

Match 06/13/1033 - Tuesday, 16th July 2013 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge (0) 1 Blewden 60
Welling United (1) 1 Lafayette 30
Att. 171

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 26/228

Match Report

Drawing conclusions from pre-season friendlies can be a dangerous game, but Tommy Warrilow may well be feeling quite content that his summer's business in player recruitment has gone rather well. After next Thursday's fixture against Maidstone United, this blog and its readers can put behind them Messrs Worgan and Collin and look forward with Pinney, Appiah, Masters and Watts, because they are the present and, on the evidence of this game against the Conference South champions, Welling United, the future is a whole lot brighter.

Apart from the irritating habit, continuing on from last season, of giving away sloppy goals, it was both pleasing and surprising just how dominant Tonbridge were in this pre-season game that attracted a disappointing crowd of just 171.

Phillip Appiah, on Saturday, was deployed in front of the back four, which against lesser opposition in the shape of neighbours Tunbridge Wells; he tidied up the loose ends and passed the ball out of defence with an easy style. For this game, he was asked to pair up with David Ijaha in the centre of midfield and gave a performance that suggested that he might be wasted in the deeper lying areas. But whatever job he is asked to do in the coming months, he exudes a confidence that he is going to be able to fulfil it.

Leading the line, Nathaniel Pinney displays a good touch, but might just be a little rusty when it comes to the finishing department, whilst Luke Blewden added a third goal in two halves of football to press home the point that he is not at Longmead to make up the numbers.

Pinney's finishing had eluded him twice in the opening half hour before a single through pass saw Ross Lafayette rounding Masters to tap into an empty net for an undeserved half-time lead.

Blewden, Chris Piper and Nathan Green were among the five half time changes made by Warrilow and Sam Beales was also introduced when Ryan Watts went down injured. On the hour, a superb through pass from Piper saw Blewden scoring from an acute angle.

Tonbridge looked to have denied themselves a worthy draw at the very least when they conceded a penalty with ten minutes remaining but Joe Healey hit the bar with his spot kick.

Whether the warm glow in July turns cold in November, we can only wait and see, but just for the present, everybody at Longmead can look forward to the new season with renewed optimism.