Tonbridge 2 Chelmsford City 1

Match 19/13/1046 - Monday, 26th August 2013 - Conference South

Tonbridge (1) 2 Muggeridge 39, Browning 83
Chelmsford City (0) 1 Brayley (pen) 90+3
Att. 510

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,395

Match Report

After viewing a couple of encouraging pre-season games, my first league visit to Tonbridge this season had been preceded by a three defeats, the third of which was a 5-1 hammering at early season pacemakers, Bromley. My companions at Longmead told me of woeful performances and overweight, unfit players leaving me fearing the worst from the visit of Chelmsford City, a club, who in my recent memory always seem to give the Angels a bit of a tonking.

In the Chelmsford side there was Tommy Forecast, last season's back-up goalkeeper to Stuart Nelson at Gillingham, Tom Derry, a youngster that was brought to Gillingham from Charlton in the summer and loaned out to the Essex side and Tom Davis, the midfielder that had an inauspicious season at Tonbridge last term.

Following the Bromley debacle, Nathaniel Pinney and Phillip Appiah were dropped to the bench with Luke Blewden pairing up with Mikel Suarez in attack. Chris Piper was asked to play right back allowing Henry Muggeridge to player further forward.

Blewden played with the enthusiasm that endears players to supporters even if they do lack a little quality. In the middle of the defence, Sonny Miles and Gary Borrowdale snuffed out the considerable threat of Derry and Jeff Goulding.

Both sides created a couple of chances in a first half that was evenly balanced, Tonbridge's best efforts came from two Jon Heath headers whilst Clark Masters did well to turn away a Goulding header. The breakthrough came on 39 minutes when Muggeridge cut inside from the right and struck from 20 yards into the bottom corner.

Chelmsford obviously took a flea in the ear during the half time break from Dean Holdsworth and put the Tonbridge back line under pressure from the outset, but the home side stood firm with Piper a revelation in his new role.

Seven minutes remained when Tonbridge extended their lead. Blewden hit a cross beyond the far post from where Nathan Green did exceptionally well to keep the move alive with a header back across goal to Lee Browning who shot low into the net.

It was deep into time added when the final piece of drama unfolded. Masters did well to save an initial effort from Mark Hughes but the follow-up shot was thwarted by the hands of Miles, who conceded the penalty and earned a red card for his trouble. The spot kick was successfully converted by Bertie Brayley, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.

So, pulling away from the Longmead car park, I was unexpectedly reflecting on very satisfactory Bank Holiday Monday entertainment and how fortunes can change with the fickle finger of fate. An injury to Garry Elphick forced Tommy Warrilow to play Miles in his best position in the centre of defence and Piper slotted into Miles' vacated position with great effect. Upfront, Blewden showed with whole-hearted endeavour that he is not at Longmead to understudy Pinney or anybody else whilst the reshuffle also pushed Green and Muggeridge further forward. Out of a difficult start, Warrilow might just have stumbled on the right formula.