AFC Whyteleafe U18 (1) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 2 Penman 45+1 Lucas 45+5
Headcount: 53
Admission: Free
Mileage: 82/4,056
IT'S IN THEIR HANDS!
A battle was expected. A battle was got. A battle was won.
Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s have the retaining of their Isthmian Youth East title within their own hands following a titanic battle at Whyteleafe, who given their second half onslaught of the Angels’ goal might justifiably feel that they deserved something out of the game. But the visiting defence, superbly led by skipper Ed Dyer, stood firm to take home the valuable points.
A month ago this, and the return fixture at the Yeomans next Monday, looked every inch title deciders, but a recent drop-off of form from Whyteleafe and a consecutive run of seven wins (including a home win against Tonbridge) from Cobham has seen off Whyteleafe’s challenge.
Both Tonbridge and Cobham have two games remaining, Tonbridge lead the division by a single point, and should it come to it, a massive advantage in goal difference. The Angels final two games see the Whyteleafe return and a visit to Haywards Heath whilst Cobham entertain AFC Croydon and visit Lancing, a match frustratingly still to be arranged.
During daylight hours Spring does appear to be upon us but the evenings still retain a chill as was already the case at kick-off time at Church Road.
Whyteleafe, perhaps sensing this was their last chance saloon, started the game like the trains that regularly run behind the stadium and within the opening minute, Angels’ goalkeeper, Jacob Hunt brought off a brilliant save as a home forward bore down on goal.
Having taken due warning from the early scare, the visitors took control of the game and it was the Whyeleafe goalkeeper that needed to be on his toes to deny attempts from Harry Bingham and River Ballach either side of Robert Penman’s drive that was narrowly over.
As the game settled, it became a keenly contested affair, sensibly refereed by Abi Oyeleke. After 21 minutes, Whyteleafe hit a post and with four minutes remaining of the half, they took the lead when their goalscorer was sent clear to tuck the ball past the advancing Hunt.
As the half ticked into added time, Tonbridge won a free kick on the left that was sent towards the near post from where, the ever-alert Penman squeezed the ball home for an equaliser.
With the added time ticking into its fifth minute, the visitors won another free kick, this time, 25 yards from goal and more central. Penman’s low, rasping shot was well saved by the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell into the path of Ashton Lucas who found the net with the last kick of the half.
I don’t think anyone expected the second period to remain goalless as the two sides slugged it out, with on occasions tempers becoming a little frayed but always within the control of the referee.
Of possession, Whyteleafe had the better of the half but, barring one occasion when he saved brilliantly low to his left, Hunt was not seriously tested, much to the credit of the defenders in front of him. Meanwhile, the Angels had chances through Callum Fincham and Penman that might have put the game to bed.
Tonbridge saw the game out, in the corner of the pitch, as Whyteleafe’s frustration led to a series of free kicks.
Dom Welsh commented after the game: “We got home, just about. We were not at our best, but at the business end of the season it is a points game.”
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