Whitehawk (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 4 Miles 46 McKenzie 66 Derry 77,90
Attendance: 462
Admission: £5
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 101/6,390
Unfortunately the rolling hills apply to the playing surface as well as the backdrop. I have not seen a slope quite as pronounced as this one since Cray Wanderers were playing at Oxford Road. The heaviest slope goes from side to side, but you need to see the pitch from both ends to realise the end-to-end slope as well. I found it difficult to decide whether playing one way or the other gave any significant advantage.
Relegation-threatened Whitehawk had the opening opportunity after 10 minutes when a cross from the left by Aaron Goode found Lucas Rodrigues at the far post, but his stretching effort only steered the ball wide.
A five minute delay to the game quickly followed when Tonbridge’s Tom Beere went down without a challenge and needed to be stretchered from the field with Adem Ramadan taking his place.
The visitors started to stamp their authority on the game with a surging run from Joe Turner, who switched into central midfield for Beere, stopped by a last gasp tackle from Yannis Ambroisine.
The best chance of the half fell the way of the Angels after 25 minutes when a long cross from Ramadan found Jared Small at the far side of the box whose downward header was into the path of Chinedu McKenzie but the Whitehawk goalkeeper, Melvin Minter was able to block with his legs.
A cross into the box found Arthur Lee’s head and this was met with a crashing volley from McKenzie into the net but the whistle had blown for a foul by Lee.
Whitehawk’s best chance of the half came deep into added time when a free kick from ex-Angel Henry Muggeridge gave Duane Ofori-Acheampong a good chance at the far post but his header was woefully wide.
The final chance of the half fell to Tonbridge and really should have took them into the break in front. Jack Parter crossed from the left to the near post where Tom Derry’s deft flick brought a save with the feet of Minter but the rebound fell kindly for McKenzie who cleared the bar.
Whilst Tonbridge had the best of the first half, it had been reasonably close fought and what was to transpire in the second half would not have been envisioned by many of the 346 in attendance.
Within a minute of the opening of the second half, Turner swung in a corner from the right and attacking the ball at the far corner of the six yard box, Sonny Miles planted a header into the net to give the Angels the lead.
It now appeared that Tonbridge were enjoying the advantage of the many slopes and we’re in control of the game. After 66 minutes, they went two goals in front when a long free kick from Jack Parter found the head of Arthur Lee who directed the ball back across the face of goal from where McKenzie drove home a volley.
Whitehawk’s vulnerability in the air from the set piece was now well and truly exposed and, after 77 minutes, another Turner corner this time was headed home by Tom Derry.
Steve McKimm was now afforded the luxury of resting McKenzie and Small to the bench introducing Alex Read and Liam Smith.
Chances came and went for Tonbridge to inflict further pain on their hosts but it was the last minute when Ramadan cut in to fire a shot that was parried up in the air by Minter to the waiting head of Derry to complete the second half rout.
Credit should be given to the Whitehawk Ultras who maintained their support to the end and should have been given something to cheer when ex-Angel Nathaniel Pinney’s effort was well saved by Henly.
The stands at the Enclosed Ground accommodate plenty of seats with the temporary structures behind each game a relic of Brighton’s stay at the Withdean. The main stand is oddly positioned laying a long way back from the pitch with an area of unused grass in front of it. It is never going to rank among people’s favourites because of its limitations but I have to say it was not as bad as I was led to believe.
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