Tonbridge (2) 2 Akrofi 21, Phipp 38
Merstham (0) 2 Hector 54, Azeez 90
Attendance: 303
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,374
This was the classic 'game of two halves'. Tonbridge dominated the first period but Merstham fought back valiantly to obtain a share of the points in what must have seemed almost like a defeat to the home side given the lateness of the equalising goal.
Angels boss Steve McKimm went with the same starting eleven that took to the field at Needham Market and came back with a 2-0 win. That meant no place for Luke Allen or new loan signing Nelson Mitchell who both had to be content with a seat on the bench.
His selection seemed completely justified as right from the start Tonbridge took the game to their visitors with a brand of pressing play that saw them dominate proceedings throughout the first half. Chances fell to Nathan Elder, Nick Wheeler and Tom Phipp but it was Alex Akrofi making his home debut who struck first for the Angels in the 21st minute. Phipp's free kick was directed wide to Wheeler whose perfect cross was met by Akrofi at the near post.
On 34 minutes Elder was through on goal after a misjudgement of the flight of the ball by a Merstham defender, but his volley was wide of Phil Wilson's right hand post. Tonbridge however did go further ahead four minutes later when Tom Phipp's header was directed into his own goal by Mersham's skipper Tom Kavanagh.
If the first half had belonged to Tonbridge then the second half saw a significant improvement in the visitors play. They managed to keep possession in more advanced areas and were starting to put some pressure on the Tonbridge defence. That said the visitors first goal did come as something of a surprise. There seemed to be relatively little danger to the Tonbridge goal when Dan Hector took up possession 25 yds out. His shot however was fierce and accurate and Anthony Di Bernardo was never going to get anywhere near it.
The goal encouraged Merstham who now had belief that they could get something out of the game. There were some chances for the hosts namely Elder on 71 minutes James Folkes four minutes later and Luke Blewden a further four minutes after that. However, around the 75 minute mark the Moatsiders started to impose themselves on the game and there was a sense that the Angels were going to have to work very hard to maintain their lead.
It seemed they might just about get over the finishing line but in the 90th minute Merstham grabbed their deserved equaliser. It was hardly goal of the season but after keeping their possession alive in the Tonbridge area and pulling the home defence in different directions substitute Lanre Azeez managed to get the final say as his scuffed shot skidded across the wet turf and into the net with Di Bernardo possibly unsighted.
In stoppage time the Angels had three successive corners but Merstham were in no mood to concede having fought so valiantly to get something out of the game.
Afterwards, Mckimm said: "We lost some impetus when Alex went off, but with three central midfield players our ball retention should have been better. That said we've had chances and if one of those had gone in its probably game over. But they didn't and credit Merstham they've come back and got something from the game. Supporters will be disappointed but we haven't lost and players are all the time coming back into contention for a place with some big games coming up."
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