Kingstonian 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 56/18/1649 - Wednesday, 7th November 2018 - Bostik Premier

Kingstonian (1) 1 Theophanous 32
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 King 86
Attendance: 290
Played at Corinthian Casuals

Admission: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 112/3,530

Tonbridge retained their recent tendancy for a slow start that eventually turns into barnstorming finish that on this occasion rescued a point from the visit to Kingstonian’s present tenancy at Corinthian Casuals.

Kingstonian came into the game with a record of five straight home victories whilst their visitors maintained a 100% record from their five away matches. There was also the intriguing contest of Kingstonian’s free-scoring strike force of Elliott Buchanan and Louie Theophanous coming up against a defence that had not conceded a single goal on their travels.

Buchanan shot wide in the opening minutes, but neither side created any real chances in the first half-hour although it was Kingstonian that had the momentum.

After 32 minutes, the ball was carelessly given away in a misunderstanding between Joe Turner and Angels’ debutant Sammy Knott which allowed Theophanous to cut in from the right and fire in a powerful shot that beat Jonny Henly at his near post to give Kingstonian a deserved lead.

Tonbridge’s only chance of the first period came with four minutes remaining when Jared Small’s cross was headed over by Tommy Parkinson.

Five minutes into the second half a long range effort from Kingstonian substitute Muhammadu Faal rebounded off Henly into the path of Theophanous who netted but was adjudged offside.

Tonbridge’s management team, minus Steve McKimm who was absent sick, withdrew Alex Read, who had an unproductive evening, in favour of Liam King on the hour, but it continued to be Kingstonian that created the chances with Henly twice saving to deny Alfie Doughty.

Another positive substitution saw central defender Callum Adonis-Taylor replaced by Tommy Whitnall and, from virtually nowhere, Tonbridge forced themselves onto the front foot. Turner, who had been unusually quiet, was running defenders ragged down the left. He fired over after 72 minutes; Whitnall fired wide and Craig Stone saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

Knott, who was feeling the effects of a full 90 minutes and had been pushed forward missed narrowly and when Arthur Lee headed a corner that was deflected away, we were left to wonder whether it would come. But, with five minutes remaining, a cross from James Folkes saw King get between two defenders and the goalkeeper to steer a header home.

In fact, had it not been for a fine save from Berti Schotteri, Turner might well have sent the Angels home with an improbable three points.