Tonbridge (1) 4 Woods-Garness 21, Elder 79, Blewden 86,90
Leatherhead (0) 0
Attendance: 335
Entrance: £10
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,888
Match Report
That run hasn’t been terrible, seven draws and a couple of defeats with a single win on Boxing Day at VCD Athletic sandwiched in the middle, but unless you are of a supremely optimistic tendency, then the likelihood of top spot and automatic promotion is probably out of reach. The play-offs are certainly there to be contested and a top three finish guarantees home advantage.
It was a cold evening at Longmead and, perhaps, this affected the attendance, well below average at 335. Those that stayed away missed a highly entertaining game.
The pitch had dried significantly since Saturday and the postponement of the match against Metropolitan Police but was still obviously soft under foot in places.
Early in the first half, Tonbridge struggled down both flanks with Stephen Okoh and Ryan Mahal looking dangerous adding to the well-known threat of ex-Angel Frannie Collin. Okoh drove one effort wide and another was diverted to safety by the head of Sonny Miles. Tonbridge, for their part, brought a couple of comfortable saves out of Louis Wells.
It was somewhat against the run of play when the home side went ahead after 21 minutes. A corner from Nicky Wheeler was poorly dealt with by Wells whose punch sailed high into the night sky falling at the feet of Bradley Woods-Garness, who from the edge of the box half-volleyed his shot into the top corner for a stunning finish.
The game proceeded to ebb and flow with half chances for both sides. Anthony Di Bernardo denied Okoh with a fine save whilst Wells saved from Luke Blewden and when the Leatherhead keeper made a mess of a cross, Sonny Miles headed wide.
Miles, along with Woods-Garness, were replaced at half-time, both having suffered ankle injuries, Charlie Webster and Laurence Ball being introduced.
The second period was a different story. Tonbridge completely dominated and the threat from Leatherhead virtually disappeared. Wheeler saw a lot more of the ball and the visitor’s right back Adam Cash had a torrid time attempting to contain him.
The hard-working Blewden sent a header wide; Webster ended a sweeping move with a weak shot and Nathan Elder will have been disappointed with a poor header after 70 minutes.
The breakthrough finally came ten minutes from time. A Wheeler free-kick from the right was headed back across the face of goal by Tommy Parkinson and Elder forced the ball home from close range.
Four minutes remain when Tonbridge added the gloss to their second half performance. A Webster cross was turned into his own net by Phil Walsh, under pressure from Blewden, who claimed the last touch.
A final goal, in time added on, was a lovely team goal and also brought the evening’s funniest moment. Wheeler played substitute Luke Allen down the line, who pulled back a cross for Blewden to score at the near post. This was obviously greeted with joy from the Tonbridge supporters, including Paul Bayliss, who took a while to realise that the goal had robbed him of the £25 last goal prize.
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