Erith Town 2 Tunbridge Wells 2

Match 17/16/1325 - Wednesday, 17th August 2016 - Southern Counties East

Erith Town (2) 2 Pallen 20, Friend 44
Tunbridge Wells (1) 2 Atkins 4, Bryant 62
Attendance: 60
Played at VCD Athletic

Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 74/1,767

This game will always be remembered for the appearance of a substitute goalkeeper. Ten minutes had elapsed when Richard Atkins broke the Erith Town offside trap and bore down on goal. Adam Highsted bravely got down at the Tunbridge Wells' striker's feet and smothered his effort taking a knock to the shoulder in the process. There was a delay of five minutes before Highsted decided he would try to continue.

Tunbridge Wells had already taken a fourth minute lead when Atkins ran onto a long ball over the top and planted his shot into the far corner of the net to the delight of probably three-quarters of the meagre 60 attendance.

Erith hit back with a 19th minute equaliser following an unchallenged run and finish from Jack Pallen.

Following the goal, Highsted decided he was not in any condition to continue and with no goalkeeper on the bench, it was Erith's manager, Ian Jenkins, 49-years-old, that took the shirt and gloves.

His first two touches of the ball met with the disapproval of the referee when he kicked a rolling ball for goal kicks and when he did it a third time his argument led to a yellow card. His comment about his age and just wanting to enjoy the game was probably valid, but rules are rules.

The sight of this ageing custodian would surely mean a succession of high balls into his six-yard box to test his resolve under pressure. It just didn't happen.

Jenkins was perfectly comfortable with the ball at his feet and a couple of half-hearted attempts were not going to bother him.

Nicholas Kelliheri was causing the visiting defence a problem with his pace from full back and a good chance was created and wasted by Lee Friend.

All the time, Jenkins was talking and marshalling his back four as if he was still stood on the sideline and when he was finally called into action with a cross, deep and underneath his crossbar, he punched to safety.

Tunbridge Wells took a sucker punch a minute before half-time when Friend was through one-on-one with Steve Lawrence and tucked the ball safety into the net.

A strong tackle, six minute into the second period, by Jason Barton, led to an unseemly skirmish that ended with yellow cards for Barton and Erith's James Coppins.

A beautifully crafted goal in the 58th minute brought the Wells level. Connor Pring lined up a free kick to the far post. As the throng waited, he touched to the right side from where Alfie Hall laid the perfect cross for Tom Bryant to attack the near post and volley home.

Jermaille Johnson, whose debut had been demoted to that of a substitute appearance by reason of going to Erith & Belvedere's ground rather than Erith Town, struck the post with ten minutes remaining as both sides searched and created half-chances for a winning goal that wasn't to come.