Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 90+1
Dulwich Hamlet (0) 1 Nelson 74
Attendance: 1,095
Entrance: £10
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,050
Match Report
Ultimately, a draw (which personally I was ready to take at kick-off) was a fair result, although the supporters of Dulwich Hamlet might well have gone back to south London disappointed to have lost the points at such a late stage of the game.
This was the first time this season (I'm not expecting it to be the last) that I've chosen to, in effect, waste my Gillingham season ticket for what I perceived to be the better match. Despite Gillingham's fine 3-0 win over Bradford City, I wasn't to be disappointed. But the weather was causing a real headache. Pictures had appeared on Facebook on Friday of the pitch being vertidrained, but as the morning's light rain turned heavier, I began to fear sitting in the car park at Longmead at 2:30 p.m. with the postponed signs going up and knowing that Priestfield was a good hour away. Nevertheless, the season ticket was put into the pocket as a precautionary measure.
Tonbridge were quick out of the blocks and Luke Blewden brought an early save out of Phil Wilson in the Dulwich goal, who turned the ball away for a corner, from which Nathan Elder's header was cleared from the line.
It's easy to see why Steve McKimm is the Tonbridge manager and I'm a humble blogger as I didn't really understand Blewden's role, not being used to seeing him chasing back and often finding himself behind James Folkes making last ditch challenges. McKimm's interview later made it crystal clear and I'm now able to appreciate the sheer endeavour of Blewden.
Nick Wheeler was causing real problems for the Londoners down the left hand side and cutting in, first saw a shot just edge past the post before bringing another save from Wilson.
Chances were few and far between for the visitors although Damian Scannell looked dangerous, Sonny Miles, who it was revealed afterwards popped a shoulder out (again) in the opening minutes, was more than his equal.
Miles produced a raking cross field pass to Wheeler who laid back for Luke Allen to drag a shot wide as the Angels' continued to dominate.
Dulwich created just one clear opportunity in the first half when Ryan Moss' header needed to be hacked to safety by Laurence Ball.
Tonbridge deserved something for their first half efforts but it wasn't to come. Allen brought a comfortable save out of Wilson and a corner saw Blewden's header drift wide.
Gavin Rose is well respected in Ryman circles and his half-time team talk and tactical tinkering brought a different Hamlet side out of the dressing room for the second period. Now it was the Pink and Blues that were calling the tune and exerting continued pressure on the Tonbridge defence. Anthony Di Barnardo made his first real save of the match blocking an effort from Jack Dixon and a magnificent block from Tom Parkinson denied Scannell after 50 minutes.
The opening goal had been coming for much of the second period when it arrived after 74 minutes. A corner from Scannell to the far post was met with a looping header from full back Mitchell Nelson that didn't appear to have enough pace to beat the Tonbridge goalkeeper, but the ball bounced right in front of his hands and nestled in the far corner.
With the confidence borne out of the goal, Dulwich began to open up the Tonbridge defence and when Scannell sent Moss clear, the ex-Margate striker dragged his shot wide with a poor effort.
As the game neared its end, Tonbridge threw caution to the wind in hope of finding an equaliser. Wheeler, who had been starved of the ball during the second half, put a cross onto the head of Parkinson, who could only direct it into the welcoming hands of Wilson. Wilson's handling in the conditions was exceptional throughout the game.
Tonbridge fans thought their goose was cooked with no time left on the clock when Rhys Murrell-Williamson, cutting in from the left, hit a shot towards the near post, but Di Barnardo clawed it away with a top drawer save that, in its own way, saved the point that was about to be gained.
Entering into the time added on, Tonbridge won a free kick on the left-hand side, 18 yards out. Sam Rents touched it to Wheeler, who sent in the most pin-point of crosses that Elder read perfectly, getting across the face of his markers to glance the ball into the net.
Hampton and Richmond are proving that the title race is not a two horse race and they are certainly going to have their say, as will two or three others. But, I cannot wait to see these two clubs go head-to-head once again at Champion Hill on Easter Monday, when the game will be a true six-pointer that could decide the destination of the title, whilst leaving one club with the drama of the play-offs.
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