Wingate & Finchley 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 106/17/1556 - Saturday, 24th March 2018 - Bostik Premier

Wingate & Finchley (2) 2 Beckles-Richards 10 Ifil 40
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Miles 61
Attendance: 131

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 147/7,300

This has been one hell of a week for Tonbridge Angels. Four games in eight days; a return trip from a defeat in Suffolk that was delayed by roadworks and not arriving back at Longmead until 2 a.m., followed just two days later by the momentous victory over Billericay, so perhaps it came as no surprise that the visit to Wingate and Finchley appeared to be a game too far.

Tonbridge looked tired and leggy in a first half dominated by their hosts who deservedly went into the break a couple of goals to the good but, to their credit, the Angels got a second wind (or was fifth or sixth) and could justifiably have claimed that they deserved a point for their efforts.

Wingate were fast out of the blocks seeking to take advantage of their visitors sluggishness. After five minutes they had the ball in the net when a cross from the impressive Paul Ifil found Reece Beckles-Richards head at the far post but the goal was ruled out by a linesman’s flag.

Tonbridge were forced into a reshuffle after just seven minutes when Jack Parter limped out of the action to be replaced by Luke Blewden. This probably had no bearing on Wingate’s opening goal three minutes later when Beckles-Richards curled a 20 yard shot into the top corner giving Jonny Henly no chance.

Tonbridge responded well with Tashi-Jay Kwayie forcing Shane Gore into a save and then blazing wastefully over the bar from six yards having been set-up by Joe Turner.

Another chance fell the Angels’ way after 26 minutes with Alex Akrofi firing over before Henly was brought into the action saving from Marc Charles-Smith.

Wingate extended lead before the break when Ifil was allowed to travel fully 30 yards with the ball before firing in a shot that found the bottom corner.

Without a further save from Henly, denying Beckles-Richards, the game would have been out of sight.

Nathan Elder came on for Tommy Whitnell from the start of the second half and Tonbridge put their hosts under pressure with Turner forcing a save from Gore and seeing the resultant corner cleared from the line.

Successive corners brought a goal for Tonbridge just past the hour. The first corner was headed on by Sonny Miles for Akrofi’s header to be saved by Gore but the second was this time headed on by Elder with Miles touching in at the far post from close range.

Tonbridge continued to battle away for an equaliser including sending goalkeeper Henly forward for a corner which he met with a header but straight at a grateful Gore.

As is well-known to Isthmian League visitors, Wingate and Finchley are the proud owners of an iconic stand that doubtless has some sort of preservation order on it. Sadly, every time I go there, I make the same comment, “it just needs a coat of paint”. A few tins of emulsion shouldn’t break the bank surely.

Picture: Kathryn Bell