Tonbridge Angels 2 Corinthian Casuals 0

Match 105/18/1698 - Saturday, 16th March 2019 - Bostik Premier

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 McKenzie 10 Turner 83 (pen)
Corinthian Casuals (0) 0
Attendance: 391

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/6,187

Sometime in May, when promotion has been sealed somewhere, given the vagaries of this season’s play-off format, in the far-flung reaches of the North-East of England, this result from an instantly forgettable match probably won’t register as a major stepping stone towards that goal. But the professionals will point out that these days when the elements are as difficult to overcome as the opposition are exactly the games that have to be won to achieve anything. A howling gale made any decent football virtually impossible even against an opposition that were limited as Corinthian Casuals.

An early goal, courtesy of some woeful Casuals’ defending, should have set the path to a comfortable afternoon, but it didn’t quite work out that way. A cross from the right from Jared Small landed at the feet of Juevan Spencer whose attempted clearance went straight to Chinedu McKenzie, who said thanks very much and despatched the ball into the bottom corner.

With the wind at their backs, Tonbridge needed to put the game beyond their visitors before they turned around, but the elements proved difficult whichever way you were facing.

Tom Derry headed wide; a Tom Beere free kick was steered wide by McKenzie and Casuals’ goalkeeper, Dan Bracken made a good save to deny Joe Turner.

Battling against the gale, Corinthian Casuals were unable to conjure much in the way of opportunities but a straight through ball sent their leading scorer, Warren Mfula, through on goal after 35 minutes only to be denied by Jonny Henly who scooped the ball away from the striker’s feet as he attempted to round him.

McKenzie had the ball in the net again but this was ruled out for offside, but the Angels went into the break knowing they had little room for mistake with the wind now going to be against them.

Henly was called into action five minutes into the second period, saving at the feet of Benjamin Aghadiuno and Coskum Ekim fired narrowly over as the Casuals naturally took control of the game.

Just past the hour, Derry brought a save from Bracken as Tonbridge made what was a rare foray forward but whilst the momentum was with the visitors they too were making very few opportunities.

Henly saved from substitute, ex-Angel Bradley Woods-Garness and full back Hakeem Adelukan fired wide before the home side finally put the game to bed with a penalty seven minutes from time.

A free kick from the left, taken by Beere, found the outstretched hand of Majed Osman, giving the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Turner held his nerve to shoot firmly into the bottom corner.

Opponents beaten, elements beaten, move on was the soundbite. There are more difficult opponents to come, whether there will be more testing elements is doubtful.