Chippenham Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 22/19/1746 - Saturday, 7th September 2019 - National League South

Chippenham Town (1) 2 Ossai 43 Zebrowski 70
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Derry 87 (pen)
Attendance: 578
New Ground: 336

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 296/1,750

A single fine performance shouldn’t really raise expectations but following the Dartford victory and in light of a visit to one of the smaller clubs in National South, they probably were.

Sadly, it is away days and performances like these that will see Tonbridge relegated. Only one point has been garnered from the opening five away games and, if that is going to be continued, then enormous pressure will placed on the home form, probably needing to win 11 or 12 games, and frankly I don’t think that will happen.

There was mitigation, Joe Turner was returned home with a stomach upset that seemingly affected others in the squad but Chippenham were poor and Tonbridge have lost, so that speaks volumes.

The pitch at Hardenhuish Park has a slope, not quite Quarry Hill as I exaggerated, but pronounced nonetheless. Chippenham have been at this ground for close to 100 years and you can see how enclosures here and there have been added over the years giving it a “bitty” feel about the place. In the Southern Premier it was probably seen as reasonably decent but a this level it is somewhat lacking,

In Turner’s absence, Rhyle Ovenden came into the side in the only change.

Controversy surrounded Chippenham’s goalkeeper Will Puddy from the first five minutes when he was accused of throwing a punch into the stomach of Ade Yusuff that was missed by the officials. Video evidence has subsequently shown that in the aftermath of some wrestling, the punch was definitely planted.

Neither side had the craft to open up the other in the opening half-hour with D’Sean Theobalds bringing a save from Puddy and the home side’s Karnell Chambers and Luke Haines having shots blocked in a rare Chippenham foray.

After 38 minutes, Chippenham had the best chance thus far when Chambers rounded Angels’ keeper Jonny Henly but failing to get a shot away and, four minutes later, Luke Hopper shot into the side netting, so the warnings of Tonbridge’s witching hour were there and, sure enough, on the stroke of half-time, Chris Zebroski crossed from the left for Tariq Ossai to turn and convert from close range.

Five times in nine games goals have been conceded in the last five minutes of the first half, it has to be a mental thing.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Yusuff fired over the the first minute but it was Chippenham’s Chambers that went closest with an effort narrowly wide of the left hand post.

Steve Mckimm rang the changes early, replacing Yusuff (one of the player’s suffering from the bug) with Tom Derry and Ovenden with Chinedu McKenzie.

It was Tonbridge who had the momentum at that point with Small and Theobalds employing Puddy and, after 63 minutes, Derry’s shot hit the base of the post.

But, after 70 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when Zebrowski and Chamber combined before the former thundered a shot between Henly and his post.

Chambers had an effort cleared from the line and substitute Nat Jarvis dragged a shot wide as the home side looked to put the game beyond the Angels’ reach. But a helping hand, or should it be said forehead, was to be offered to the visitors.

A corner was safely gathered by Puddy under no real pressure from Sonny Miles, but as the red mist descended, the goalkeeper inexplicably planted a headbutt on the Angels’ central defender earning a red card and conceding a penalty. It was pure madness.

Derry converted past stand-in goalkeeper Luke Haines and with seven minutes including time added to play it was game on, but the home side managed the time well and, indeed, might have added to their scoreline when the impressive Chambers had the ball in the net once more, but this was ruled out for offside.