Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Maidenhead United (0) 1 Robinson 90+4
Attendance: 600
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,302
A drab, dank and damp evening matched the mood of Tonbridge Angels supporters as they left the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday evening after their favourites conceded a goal and a hard-earned point, with effectively the last touch of the match.
Depending on which end of the pitch you were stationed, behind one goal there was exhilaration and, at the other, despair at such a cruel twist. But, if honesty prevailed, neither side had done enough to deserve maximum points.
Tonbridge Angels manager, Alan Dunne, agreed with the assessment that the result was cruel, whilst also accepting that his side had not enjoyed the best of evenings: “Football can be really cruel. We weren’t great, but they came for a snatch and grab and that was what they got.”
In a game of very little penalty area action, the best of which was arguably produced by the Angels, but many free kicks of the soft variety, there was a sense of inevitability as referee Will Briers gave his last of the evening, at the very end of four added minutes. It was lofted into the box from the left by former Angels Josh Popoola to the head of Matt Robinson who rose between two Tonbridge defenders to score from six yards.
The dismal weather reduced the attendance considerably to 600, Tonbridge’s lowest for a National League South game this season and the vast majority of those retreated to the covered areas.
A first half, pretty much devoid of excitement, must of left many questioning why they had left the comfort of their armchair, albeit to be asked to ensure the misery of EastEnders!
That be said, it was the Angels that went closest when, on the half-hour, a snap shot from Tom Leahy hit the base of the post.
Just past the hour, Frankie Baker capitalised on indecision between a Maidenhead defender and his goalkeeper to fire a shot towards an open goal but the deflection from covering defender, Manny Onariase was enough to steer the ball against the post.
A minute later it was the visitors turn to strike the woodwork when a 25 yard free kick from Josh Umerah crashed against the crossbar.
Any slow burner of a contest needs a climax and added time produced the ifs, buts and maybes. In the third minute, Akehurst crossed and when the ball fell at the feet of Tom Leahy he stabbed it goalwards but was left with his head in his hands as Maidenhead’s Dutch goalkeeper, Jordi van Stappershoef, plunged to save low at his near post.
And so to the sucker punch and Robinson’s goal.
No comments:
Post a Comment