VCD Athletic 0 Tonbridge 3

Match 54/15/1259 - Saturday, 26th December 2015 - Ryman Premier

VCD Athletic (0) 0
Tonbridge (2) 3 Elder 34, Joseph (o.g.) 35, Blewden 50
Attendance: 267

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 74/3,920

Match Report

It is easy to see why the professionals within the game hold little store by "games in hand". At the beginning of December, Tonbridge were as many as four games adrift of other clubs at the top end of the table. But a dip in form, which has seen them go six games without a win, albeit that five of those were draws, has seen that perceived points gain dwindle. A bumper Boxing Day attendance for VCD Athletic, more than twice their average gate, was made up with a large following from Tonbridge hoping to see their favourites find some form against a home side entrenched in the bottom four. VCD's lowly league position had not been represented by recent victories at Grays Athletic and at their Oakwood ground against Wingate and Finchley.

The opening half-hour of the match saw Tonbridge apparently suffering from an over-indulgence of Christmas Pudding as they made a lethargic beginning to the game. But two goals in the space of a minute brought them to life and completely took the wind out of the sails of the hosts. A classic goal from Luke Blewden wrapped up the points as the Angels produced a fine second half performance on day when every one of the division's top five had victories.

The visitors survived an early scare when a cross to the far post was met with a towering header from Nigel Neita that went beyond Angels' goalkeeper Anthony Di Barnardo but was swept away from in front of the line by Laurence Ball. The hosts enjoyed some good possession and the pace of Michael Bakare was causing more than a few worrying moments.

After 15 minutes, Tonbridge's Simon Thomas was withdrawn with some sort of a leg injury to be replaced by Luke Blewden. This turned out to be significant as the Angels' leading goalscrorer was a constant threat.

Tonbridge's first effort on goal saw a Tommy Parkinson header saved by Tom Hadler, the Gillingham youngster that had two successful spells at Longmead last season.

The much-travelled Donovan Simmonds hooked an effort wide for VCD before Tonbridge opened the scoring after 34 minutes. Nicky Wheeler, who had switched from left to right wing, swung in a cross to Nathan Elder who was allowed time to take a touch before rifling a shot into the bottom corner.

Just 40 seconds elapsed and the scoreline was doubled. A cross from the left into the path of Elder was diverted into his own net by Ricardo Joseph, or was it? Elder was credited with the goal and, later, Elder declared that he had touched it. Who's going to argue with the big man?

That disastrous minute knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and Tonbridge were now in complete control of the game.

After five minutes of the second period, Elder played the ball into the path of Blewden, whose sublime first touch was to lob Hadler and into the top corner.

The second half became a one-way procession with only Hadler standing between Tonbridge and a cricket score as the hosts became visibly more and more dispirited.

James Folkes, marauding forward, had a couple of efforts saved and, my man of the match, Luke Allen saw a goalbound shot deflected wide.

With the top of the table clash against Dulwich Hamlet next Saturday no doubt in mind, Wheeler and Folkes were withdrawn allowing a welcome return for Jack Parter.

One final act saw a magnificent double save from Hadler to deny Allen and Blewden.

Back to winning ways for the Angels and with a performance to match. As said before in these postings, I'm not really a believer that there can be six-pointers in January, but next Saturday visit of Dulwich Hamlet to Longmead has all the hallmarks. The South Londoners will bring a large following and a four figure crowd is not an unreasonable expectation. As is often said, "Bring it On".