Hornchurch (1) A Muldoon 9
Tonbridge Angels (1) A Bakrin 23
Attendance: TBA
Match Abandoned after 38 minutes - Waterlogged Pitch
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 102/4,232
Tonbridge Angels supporters that had made the journey to Hornchurch were left frustrated as referee Ayrton Hursey brought a halt to proceedings after 38 minutes with player welfare being the prime consideration as the pitch condition worsened following incessant heavy rain.
Jay Saunders, who along with his counterpart Daryl McMahon had been consulted, was in agreement with the decision: “Once you entered the field of play you can understand why the game was abandoned. There were a few doubts when we first got here because of a heavy downpour but then it eased off. It didn’t surprise me, it is more for player’s welfare. We wanted to carry on because we were playing quite well given the conditions. But when you went onto the pitch you understood just how bad it was with players struggling to keep their footing.”
Jay had made four changes from the starting XI that was beaten by Maidstone United on Boxing Day. Liam Vincent had failed to recover from the dead leg that forced his substitution whilst Trevan Robinson, Jeremy Santos and Scott Wagstaff made way for Sean Shields, returning from injury, Charlie Pegrum, Garrett Kelly and Naz Bakrin. There was a surprise inclusion for assistant manager Tommy Parkinson on the bench.
An early chance fell to Shields who drove a shot into the side netting before Hornchurch opened the scoring with a fine strike from Ollie Muldoon into the top corner from 25 yards that gave Matt Rowley no chance.
The goal served as an added impetus to the Angels and they quickly gained control of the game moving the ball well on the sodden surface.
After 23 minutes, the Angels got a well-deserved equaliser. A right-sided corner was headed on by Jamie Fielding and as a headed challenge was made, the ball dropped to Bakrin who struck cleanly into the centre of the goal.
The visitors were firmly in the ascendancy when the referee firstly spoke with both captains before going to the dugouts to inform the respective managers.
Jay said of the 38 minutes of play: “I was pleased, other than the strike for their goal, we looked good, threatening at times. We looked quite sharp and up for it, disappointed that it was called off but it is what it is.”
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