Holmesdale (0) 2 Akers 52, 63
Tunbridge Wells (5) 7 Nwoko 7,31,77 Cable 11, Seenan 19 (pen), 29,48
Attendance: 88
Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: Free
Mileage: 78/3,518
New Ground: 283
Match Report
The winds of change have blown through Tunbridge Wells Football Club through the course of this turbulent season. Since my last time at a Tunbridge Wells game, the manager, Keith Bird, has departed and the revolving door of players has continued apace. Jason Bourne has brought some old faces back to the club alongside some youngsters, one of which was to really catch the eye on this evening.
My first visit to Holmesdale’s Oakley Road ground left an impression of darkness. An unlit walk down an un-made drive was hazardous and once inside the ground the stand on the far side with its black background was invisible, at least to my eyes, until set against the red shirts of the Wells players in the foreground.
Several of the Tunbridge Wells players were on view for the first time for myself and Joe Nwoko was quick to announce himself with the opening goal after seven minutes. A 30 yard shot at goal found the bottom corner past a very young goalkeeper.
Nwoko turned provider three minutes later when his run down the right hand side and pass across the face of goal left Rikki Cable with a tap-in from a couple of feet.
An isolated foray on the visitor’s goal should have brought a goal for Holmesdale but a weak shot allowed Steve Lawrence a comfortable save. Moments later, they were three behind. A run from KJ McFarlane was ended with a trip just inside the penalty area and Chris Seenan converted from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.
After 25 minutes, Seenan doubled his tally when a pass from Nwoko sent Seenan through and his aim was unerring as he found the bottom corner past the bewildered keeper.
After 32 minutes, one really had to be fearful for Holmesdale and a potential cricket score as the Wells added a fifth. A perfect through pass from Stephen Ikpeme found Nwoko who rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.
It was that through ball that really focused the attention on Ikpeme. Until then, in his role as defensive midfielder, he had gone about his business quietly and efficiently, but now with the scoreline so one-sided he had the licence to express himself. On-loan from Maidstone United’s Ryman Under-18 side, he is built like no 18 year-old from my day. Powerful, he dominated to the point that he appeared to frighten most of the hosts’ midfield.
The second half looked to be taking on the same pattern as Seenan completed his hat trick just two minutes into the period. Laid on by Nwoko, who had an impressive night, the Scottish striker found the top corner from around the penalty spot.
Then, completely out of context with the rest of the contest, Holmesdale’s Danny Atkins produced two pieces of fine striking to reduce the deficit and perhaps add a little respectability. After 52 minutes, Atkins found the top corner, past the despairing hand of Lawrence, with a 25 yard free kick and ten minutes later, a shot from even further out rifled into the bottom corner.
There could be little concern with such a decisive scoreline, but any lingering doubts were put to bed with 13 minutes remaining when a punt forward from Ollie Cooke sent Nwoko beyond the Holmesdale back four with the striker coolly lobbing the advancing keeper for his hat trick goal.
Hopefully, this was a sign that the recovery of Tunbridge Wells is underway. Their holy grail of a Vase run ended with the disappointment of an exit at their opening stage of the competition at Knaphill and there is little left in the season but to fight for a respectable finishing league position. This can be easily achieved with a bit of stability in the remaining months, Bourne has the best wishes of the Wells’ support earned by his longevity as a player and if a few more gems in the likeness of Ikpeme come his way, then his task will be made that much easier.
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