Crowborough Athletic 0 Tunbridge Wells 2

Match 107/17/1557 - Tuesday, 27th March 2018 - SCEFL Challenge Cup SF 2nd Leg

Crowborough (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Harris 9 Mici 90+4
Attendance: 406

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 74/7,374

Match Report

Crowborough Athletic’s apparent disinterest in a Cup Final place was Tunbridge Wells’ gain as they fielded a weakened side and rolled up the white flag on a tie that they trailed by three goals from a similarly abject first leg performance.

On a freezing cold night at Erith Town in February, I watched them battle back and through extra time to progress in the competition, but it begs the question why they bothered when they gave up a semi-final so meekly.

All of which gives no credit to Tunbridge Wells who produced a fine defensive performance after effectively putting the tie beyond the home side with an early Jack Harris goal.

My master plan for the Wells entailed getting through the first 15 minutes unscathed but this was bettered when Harris glanced a header from a Tom Davey free kick into the bottom corner with potty-mouthed Crows goalkeeper, Dan Ellis, a motionless spectator.

That Crowborough had given up a free kick in a dangerous position was synonymous with their indiscipline over the two legs. Two sendings-off at Culverden were followed by another six bookings in this game.

Rather than see off any early threat from the Crows the Wells took the game to their neighbours with Jon Pilbeam firing wide before the opening goal and then forcing Ellis into a good, blocking save at his feet following.

In truth, perhaps the heavy pitch was a factor, neither side were particularly good at keeping the ball as passes went astray with regular abandon.

For a side desperate to get themselves back into the game it took Crowborough 33 minutes to ask Cameron Hall to make a meaningful save, pushing away a shot from Sam Carrington, low to his left.

The home side exerted some pressure as the clock ticked past 45 minutes with Dan Perry firing wide and Tom Vickers over. But, it was very comfortable for the Wells.

An electric surge from Alexx Kendal was brought to an end by a cynical foul that earned Jason Barton the Crows their fifth booking of the evening, far in excess of their shots on goal.

Crowborough brought on their bigger hitters in Tom Phipp and Zac Attwood, more in an attempt to salvage some pride rather than save the game it would be guess.

Cameron Hall made a brave blocking save to deny Sean Loft from close range and Tom Davey similarly put his body on the line minutes later.

Despite the home side throwing a number of high balls into the box for Hall to continuously punch away the Wells’ supporters were breathing comfortably knowing that their place at Longmead Stadium was secure.

A clean sheet was the order of the day and when the Crows smacked their best chance against the bar with Loft sending the rebound wide that wish was about to be granted.

But there remained time for the cake to be iced. Pilbeam broke away down the left and his cross left substitute Gianfranco Mici with a tap-in against his old club to the delight of the large Wells’ contingent in a crowd of 406.

Sean Muggeridge can justify his choices to his club's short-changed supporters with a good Easter period that includes the visit of league leaders Sevenoaks. But, in true Barry Davies style, with a cup final to follow against Whitstable Town after at times, a desperately poor season, Wells’ supporters will quite rightly say: “frankly, who cares?”