King Henry (0) 0
Hugh Christie (1) 1 Musengeyi 44
Headcount: 20 (who came and went at various times)
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 82/5,274
Tonbridge Angels’ Development side Hugh Christie visited their Phoenix Sports’ counterparts King Henry and continued the significant improvement that has been made since the heavy defeats of early season.
On a 3/4G surface that would be the envy of several non-league stadiums already carrying such a pitch, Hugh Christie dominated the game and should have run out clearer winners had their finishing not been so profligate.
King Henry enjoyed the better of the early moments with a couple of chances going high and wide and Joe Roberts forced into a save. But from around the quarter hour mark, Tonbridge seized the initiative and won a penalty when the referee saw a push in the area following a long throw from Sam Babayale. Tyler Richardson stepped up for the spot kick but his effort struck the crossbar with the rebound falling to Harry Watson, whose effort was brilliantly turned over by the Phoenix goalkeeper.
Far from becoming downhearted by the setback, the Angels redoubled their efforts and the Phoenix goalkeeper needed to be at his best to deny Adam Barden; shots from Saul Musengeyi went close and, from a Richardson free kick, Watson planted a header against the bar and Musengeyi struck a post.
In reply, Roberts had a couple of comfortable saves to make and Phoenix’s tall striker should have done better when sent clear.
Just as the clock was ticking down to the break, Tonbridge finally broke the deadlock. A fine through ball from Watson sent Musengeyi clear and this time he took his chance with a a well placed lob over the advancing goalkeeper.
Perhaps stung by a half-time talking-to from ex-Angel Liam King, Phoenix opened the second half forcing Roberts into a low save and a shot from a tricky right winger was wide. Tonbridge had the ball in the net after 55 minutes following a Richardson free kick but it was ruled out for reason unclear.
The visitors had a major let off after 63 minutes when the same winger was sent clear only to see his shot come back off the inside of a post and into the grateful arms of Roberts.
The second period continued with a litany of missed chances for the Angels coupled with some good goalkeeping that saw substitute Brad Needham denied and Watson unfortunately unable to add his name to the scoresheet which would have been much deserved.
Tempers became frayed into the time added as Hugh Christie saw the time out largely in the home side’s half and it was to Needham that the final chance fell drawing another save from the keeper.
One defeat in seven games has seen Hugh Christie propel themselves away from the foot of the table.
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