Charlton Athletic (14) 22 Lee 2,13,21,32 Gurr 7,19,30,36 Graham 15,24,45 Nash 18 Jackson 27 Weller 41 Griffin 56,63,79,82,84 Ashcroft 90+1 Pepper 90+2
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 93
Played at Sporting Club Thamesmead
Entrance: £2 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 78/3,112
As everybody suspected, indeed feared, the task in front of our ladies’ team against Charlton Athletic, of the Women’s Premier League, proved far too great. The gulf in quality from Step 3 to Step 8 was evident from the outset and a heavy defeat ensued. For those of a nervous disposition, look away now as the goal tally reached 22 for the Addicks. Charlton paid the Angels the great compliment in fielding a strong starting eleven, every one of which has made a first team appearance and eight that had started seven out of their 11 Premier League games.
Despite this, the Tonbridge girls can be rightly proud of the way they conducted themselves on the night. They displayed the perfect ethos of grassroots football; playing with great team spirit, good humour and battling their way to the finish. A perfect scenario would have seen them scoring a goal, but it was not to be.
The story with the bell was with a Charlton supporter that rang it loudly with every goal that they scored, apparently he does it every game. He was ringing the damn thing after just 70 seconds and, one can only assume, that his arm was very tired come the 92nd minute.
The rout began with a tap-in at the far post and the Angels' goalkeeper, Elaina Williams had already excelled by the time a second was added on seven minutes. Three goals in three minutes left the Angels five adrift as the south Londoners slick passing game left them chasing shadows.
Four more goals between the 20th and 27th minute took the tally to nine with seven goals having been scored in 13 minutes and that bloody bell was becoming highly irritating.
Charlotte's Gurr and Lee contributed their fourth goals of the evening as the score mounted but with it also the stature of Williams who had made many decent saves. A fine shot into the top corner from Kit Graham to complete her hat-trick rounded off the first half.
Tonbridge's manager, Dan Couldridge, introduced Beth Kemp into the centre of the back line and her constant communication led to an improved second half performance.
After a couple of early goals, Charlton found themselves with a drought of 20 minutes before finding the goal back in their sights with five goals in the final 10 minutes with substitute Georgia Griffin scoring five times.
After the game, Dan Couldridge commented that, despite the scoreline, the girls had enjoyed the experience and the smiles on their faces after the final whistle confirmed that aasertion. With the attitude shown, and the development already made, maybe in a few years time, the Angels will meet Charlton again on a far more level playing field.
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