Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Luchford 41
Greenwich Borough (1) 2 Clark 26 Joe Vines 69
Played at Welling United FC
Att. 537
Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 76/6,536
Match Report
Two closely fought League encounters suggested that this League Cup Final would be of a similar nature and in that respect it did not disappoint. However, Tunbridge Wells, and their manager in particular, will bemoan that two sloppy goals handed the trophy to Greenwich Borough and left their season potless.
It wasn’t so many years ago that a season in which Tunbridge Wells finished fifth in the table and a reached a cup final would have been one to celebrate but to many this would be a season where the Wells have failed to meet raised expectations.
Greenwich started the game on the front foot and had two early chances to open the scoring with a pass across the face of the goal failing to find a finish and a shot from distance going wide of the post. Jack Clark, from a left back position, was causing the Wells’ defence all sorts of problems with his sorties forward.
The competitiveness of the game produced a series of fouls and bookings for Brad Potter and Dane Luchford. From one of these fouls, Greenwich opened the scoring on 25 minutes. Clark swung in the kick from the right to the near post and Steve Lawrence, possibly distracted by Joe Fuller’s attempt to clear, fumbled the ball into the net.
To their credit, the Wells’ response was positive and they exerted significant pressure of their own before finding an equalising goal just before the break. From Ian Parsons’ cross into the box, Luchford took the ball down from his chest and crashed in a shot on the half volley to delight the masses of Tunbridge Wells’ supporters behind the goal.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw the Wells dominate possession but failing to create a chance of any significance before Greenwich re-took the lead on 70 minutes. A free kick into the box caused confusion and missed opportunities for a clearance that should have troubled the players on the adjoining cricket pitch, but the ball eventually fell to Joe Vines, who might just have back-heeled the ball into the net, it was difficult to see.
Greenwich were now in the ascendancy in terms of their goal advantage and control of the game. They had a goal ruled out for offside and Lawrence made a smart save at his near post.
Tunbridge Wells’ woes were compounded in the final minute when Potter saw red for a second bookable offence as Greenwich comfortably saw out the remaining time.
It is reported that in the coming fortnight discussions will be held between the board of Tunbridge Wells and Martin Larkin regarding next season's budget and, many would guess, his future as manager of the club.
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