East Thurrock 2 Tonbridge 1

Match 28/14/1137 - Tuesday, 30th September 2014 - Ryman Premier

East Thurrock (2) 2 Gilbey 33,45
Tonbridge (1) 1 Ball 38
Att. 196

Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 87/2,107
New Ground: 266

The thought of the Dartford Tunnel always leads to misgivings. Its vagaries make any amount of planning through Route Planner or SatNAV virtually pointless, you either allow the predicted time and arrive 45 minutes late or factor in that time and arrive hideously early.

The Tunnel was not my only cause for concern on this Tuesday evening. Tonbridge’s exit from the FA Cup on Saturday had brought bitter disappointment and their away form so far this season has hardly quickened the pulse.

Traffic reports indicated only minor delays, so armed with my 45 minute safety net, I set out to add East Thurrock as a new ground to the list, whilst seeking some redemption for the despair of Redhill.

Ultimately, it was the Tunnel that was the most rewarding. The minor delay was nothing at all and barring a bit of road works almost upon Rookery Hill, the drive was trouble free. Tonbridge, themselves, produced a much improved performance but sadly added another loss to their L column on their travels.

Just like Saturday, Tonbridge fans made up 50% of the evening’s attendance and their first reward of the evening was on the team sheet, where bolstered by new signing Laurence Ball and, returning from injury, Chris Piper, they were able to name five players on the bench.

The Angels started brightly and none of the long ball tactics that had been apparent at Redhill was being employed. Piper added both physicality and an ability to pass the ball and, as the midfield was not being bypassed, Dee Okojie was also more to the fore. But the quality of the final ball was lacking and Tonbridge had nothing to show for a good opening 30 minutes before East Thurrock opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.

One direct through ball was the undoing and Mitchell Gilbey confidently finished from the edge of the box.

Tonbridge responded well and five minutes later, following a fine save by the young Thurrock goalkeeper, Lee Carey’s corner was met with a powerful header from Ball to celebrate his debut with a goal.

Having enjoyed a good half and levelling the score line after going behind, Tonbridge needed to get to the break with at least that parity. A cross from the right was cleverly dummied and, with the space created, Gilbey swept the ball into the top corner with a very good finish to frustrate those hopes.

The second half didn’t bring about much to report. Tonbridge probably held the balance of play but lacked in any sort of creativity. Tommy Whitnell, who had looked their most effective player going forward, was substituted and the impetus went from their play.

Alex Teniola and Flavio Taveres were introduced to add something different but much of the same was delivered. Okojie fell into the trap of shooting every time he created a yard of space but it wasn’t his night for one of his 30 yard worldies.

I found Rookery Hill a pleasant, adequate stadium for Ryman League football. Two seating stands are positioned on both sides of the pitch accommodating around 150 each and behind the goal there are a pair of covered terrace areas that are rather small but serve their purpose. It did seem a little strange that two of these areas were built side-by-side and not one equivalent length covered terrace. The framework of another structure is in place towards the corner on the far side of the ground, but it was unclear whether this remains a work in progress.

So after the final whistle had blown on a another performance in which Tonbridge had just lacked the necessary quality to obtain a result, all that remained was a gentle run back to the Tunnel to ensure that arrival was after 10 p.m., thereby avoiding the toll charge.