Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Read 81 Turner 90 (pen)
Whyteleafe (1) 1 Hector 37
Attendance: 390
Admission: £7 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/3,154
Tonbridge stared down the barrel of another cup exit to lower opposition from the moment of Sonny Miles’ brain fade until 10 minutes from the end from a shot from Liam King was handled on the line giving the Angels a penalty and also even up the player count.
On the first bitterly cold Saturday of the season, the game got off to a quiet start until Miles’ rush of blood, kicking out after a challenge had left both players on the ground leaving the referee with no option but to show the red card.
Tonbridge adjusted by dropping Tommy Parkinson into central defence but any early momentum had been lost.
Whyteleafe took control of the game and they thought they had taken the lead after 32 minutes when a splendid diagonal ball found Bradley Wilson who produced a fine finish only to ruled offside.
But the Surrey side were not to be denied as five minutes later when the ball was collected by Daniel Hector who unleashed a shot from 30 yards that whistled into the top corner.
Manager Steve McKimm sent his troops out early for the second half and, despite an early effort from Bentley Graham that was deflected safely to Jonny Henly, their greater intent was instantly apparent.
Tom Beere, instrumental in all that was good about the home side in the second period, was sent through on goal and when he was brought down by ex-Angel Nathan Campbell there were thoughts that the red card might be flourished yet again, but the official decreed a yellow sufficient.
In a matter of a minute, Whyteleafe broke from the pressure they had been under and a cross from Graham flashed across the face of the goal begging a touch followed by an effort from Graham that needed to be turned over the bar by Henly.
Jared Small made way for King with 20 minutes remaining and, after 75 minutes, a shot from Joe Turner was bound for the top corner but Tyler McCarthy, in the Leafe goal brilliantly turned it over the bar.
Tonbridge finally found the equaliser that their second half performance deserved when King’s shot from around the penalty spot was saved by the hands of defender Matthew O’Donoghue, who saw the inevitable red. Alex Read stepped up for the spot kick but his initial shot was too close to McCarthy who parried the ball back into the path who made no mistake from the second attempt.
A replay at Church Road appeared set for Tuesday, and the visitors might well claim it was something they deserved, but as King broke through he was brought down by Harrison Carnegie for another penalty and, once more, the sight of the referee’s red card. With Read having been substituted eight minutes earlier, Turner took the responsibility and his driven shot carried too much power despite McCarthy guessing the direction correctly.
Who knows, a favourable draw and that Jail Card might appear even more profitable.
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