Tonbridge 2 Dover Athletic 3

Match 59/11/946 - Saturday, 7 April 2012 - Conference South

Tonbridge (2) 2 T Olorunda 9, Collin 28 (pen)
Dover Athletic (2) 3 Dixon 15, Bricknell 25, Huke 88
Att. 940

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/4,485

Match Report

As Shane Huke rose high above a static Tonbridge defence to power a header into the net two minutes from the end of a pulsating Kent derby, new life was breathed into Dover Athletic’s play-off challenge whilst expunging the home side’s more modest ambition of finishing above their bitterest of rivals.

As the season enters its final straight, for Tonbridge the wear and tear is beginning to show and the bench that a couple of months ago looked quite strong was now threadbare with a couple of teenagers making up the numbers. Olly Schultz was unable to play as a term of his transfer from Dover last month and when Ben Judge was forced from the field with 20 minutes remaining the lack of height at the centre of defence became the telling factor in allowing Huke his unchallenged header.

Dover’s own poor form, albeit principally at Crabble, contributed to a smaller than usual following from the coast, but the attendance still amounted to a respectable 940. Unfortunately, this is a fixture with a bit of history and there was a fracas in the bar at half-time that needed a police presence to maintain order. Having not been in the bar, it is not for me to apportion blame.

The first half-hour of the game was a breathless, totally captivating period. Four goals, some do or die defending and good goalkeeping. Tonbridge took the lead on nine minutes; a Rory Hill corner was smacked against the bar from a Sonny Miles header and makeshift central defender Tim Olorunda was on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range.

The lead was not to last long, after 15 minutes Terry Dixon forced the ball home after his initial header had been brilliantly parried by Lee Worgan. A ball that looked to being going out was chased down by Donovan Simmonds and from his cross Dixon got his opportunity.

Dover went ahead on 25 minutes with a converted penalty by Billy Bricknell. Lee Browning lost the ball in midfield and a single pass from Simmonds sent Bricknell through on goal. Worgan, plunging at the striker’s feet, brought him down to earn a yellow card and concede the penalty.

Once again, albeit in reverse order, the lead was not to last as Tonbridge were themselves awarded a penalty a couple of minutes later. Frannie Collin weaved his way past Dover’s 17-year-old debutant Lloyd Harrington before the youngster stretched out a leg to bring the Tonbridge goal machine to the ground. Collin got up to convert the penalty and regain parity.

Although there were no more goals, until the winner, the game continued to ebb and flow through an absorbing second period. Worgan made good stops to thwart Bricknell and Dixon and there were last ditch blocks made by Olorunda and Judge whilst at the other end, Jaimez-Ruiz made saves from Chris Piper and Collin.

Ten minutes remained when a fine diagonal pass from Collin was collected by Hill who cut inside and cracked a shot against the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten. That was to be Tonbridge’s chance to win the game, but when Dover got there’s they took it. Barry Cogan swung in a corner from the right and Huke powered in his header to win the game to the delight of the travelling contingent who were fully aware that a point from this game was not going to be enough.

Tonbridge’s poor record this season in Kent derbies sadly continues, in eight games this season they have failed to win any and managed just four draws. It is much to their credit that they have kept the season alive until four games from the end, but it will now become a test of their character to see the season out without it drifting aimlessly away with patched-up players running on empty.

Tonbridge 3 Truro City 0

Match 55/11/942 - Saturday, 17 March 2012 - Conference South

Tonbridge (1) 3 Collin 40 Suarez 50 Browning 85
Truro City (0) 0
Att. 639

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/4,186

Match Report

That’ll be the Day usually focuses on my day at football, but because of the unique nature of this fixture, today this blog becomes That’ll be their Day.

As Truro City’s supporters embarked on their 600 mile-plus round trip to Longmead for a first-ever time, Tonbridge fans had already made the reverse visit back in November when they descended on the Cornish town in numbers, many making a weekend of it. For them it carried a novelty factor, for the Truro travelling support today was no novelty, it happens every other week.

To put into perspective their geographical isolation, their local derby is against Weston-super-Mare, a round trip of over 200 miles. Next Saturday, Tonbridge visit Havant and Waterlooville, which is roughly an equivalent distance, could we imagine that fixture as local, I think not.

I met up with a group of Truro supporters in the George and Dragon before the game to talk with them about their experiences in this, as it is for Tonbridge, their first season in Blue Square South. My opening question was met with some laughter, though it was simple enough, how has your season been? Where do you want to start, the threat of liquidation, a transfer embargo, a date at the High Court, and some football thrown in for good measure, it has had it all, this was the reason for their laughter.

Not being a proper journalist, I explained that it was more the personal experiences that I was looking for, and to this Steve relates that it has been a blast. He recounted that every trip has been an experience, everywhere they have pitched up they have been treated with kindness and friendships have been forged along the way with tales of bangers and mash at Chelmsford and drinking the clubhouse dry at Welling. It is what football should be about, it is what non-league football is about.

Their stories might have been about famous victories and more than a few beers along the way, but sadly it is a season that will ultimately be clouded by a tragic accident. On the return journey from their encounter with Dover, a car carrying three Truro supporters was involved in an accident and one of the club’s most stalwart supporters, Gillian Alderman, lost her life. It was with tears welling in his eyes that Steve commented that the sadness put into perspective the wins and the losses, or the financial problems of the club, Truro City will always live to fight another day. It was also a story that brought great satisfaction that the football family comes together in the face of tragedy with Welling and Havant supporters organising a collection at their fixture and raising a £140 for the families. The football family once again came together this weekend as the Fabrice Muamba situation brought them together as one. Ivor's own story was one of sadness, having lost his wife a year ago, he was thankful to his fellow Truro supporters for the support that had been given during this time, once more showing the value of the football family. Referring back to the accident, the news that the other two people in the car, Bob Fagan and John Salisbury, who had left hospital in the week was at least reason to be cheerful.

JP’s day had started when they left Truro at 7 a.m. TISA have an account with a local car hire company whereby they hire a seven-seater car at a competitive rate, a very friendly car hire company I would have to say! The seven of them throw around £20 each into the kitty for the hire and the petrol and if there is any excess then it goes into a pot for the Truro Independent Supporters Association (TISA). In the wake of the financial problems, it might be that sometime in the future, TISA’s funds will be called upon and when I touched on Kevin Heaney’s chairmanship of the club, it was apparent that there is a divergence of opinion of the man.

From a completely outsider’s point of view collected from the many column inches that have been written about Truro’s plight and Heaney’s courtship with Plymouth Argyle, personally I would have felt a little betrayed by his pursuit of the League Two club. Steve gave a far more conciliatory viewpoint although his friend, JP appeared to differ.

Steve felt that Heaney always had Truro’s future at heart when he negotiated with the administrator for the purchase of Argyle. The rules of the Football League do not allow for one person to be in ownership of two clubs, even if one is outside of the Football League. It is Steve’s contention that their chairman never wanted to own the footballing side of the Plymouth Argyle, his intention was the purchase of Home Park and then to lease it back to the club, therefore earning money that could be put into the coffers of Truro City. It was a purely business interest, but once again from an outsider’s view, business deals of this nature in football are universally greeted with scepticism from the fans.

We touched on the envy, jealousy, call it what you will, that has followed Truro’s rise through the lower reaches of the football pyramid to their position within the Conference set up today. These Truro supporters readily accept that as it has been funded by a wealthy man that sort of animosity was inevitable and, to a degree, understandable. A point that was strongly made was that while rivals might point at expensive signings that have won Truro titles, Barry Hayles apart, a player that is on significant wages according to rumour, the team is entirely made up of West Country players. Once again their geographic isolation makes it difficult to recruit players from anywhere else.

Steve also made the remark that this season the fans have also had to make an adjustment and that was to losing football matches something they had not been used to in recent years. They had started the season with the same success as previous terms with three straight victories, two of which against clubs that have subsequently been part of the group chasing champions-elect Woking, Chelmsford City and Dover Athletic. Four straight defeats followed, leaving those fans staring at the reality that this season would probably be one of consolidation, and once the financial difficulties surfaced they were looking into a far greater abyss. Thankfully the tax man was ultimately paid off at the eleventh hour and whilst the transfer embargo remains in place, it appears that the club has stabilised. For us, as Tonbridge fans, consolidation in Blue Square South was always the ambition, but when you’ve had the success that Truro have had in recent years, it is understandable that JP’s expectations were much higher.

Travel and cash fatigue unfortunately cut Truro’s numbers at Longmead, but those that made the trip proved to be an enthusiastic bunch that loudly showed their support despite their side producing a tired looking performance. Their right back, Barry McConnell, perhaps summed up their travel weariness when having launched a clearance out of the ground answered a heckle with the comment, “Give us break mate, I’ve been up since five”!

The game itself proved to be a rather one-sided affair. Tonbridge’s recent good run of form has now lifted them to a lofty eighth place in the table, whilst the Truro supporters will be looking just a little anxiously over their shoulders sitting six points above the dreaded dotted line.

The home side dominated the first half albeit that it took most of it to find the opening goal. Rory Hill, who was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors, threaded a delightful pass through to Frannie Collin, and the Division’s leading goalscorer doesn’t pass up chances of this nature, slotting the ball past the Truro ‘keeper Oliver Chenoweth.

The goal bred confidence in the Tonbridge ranks and their passing became a delight to watch. After five minutes of the second half, one such move opened up another scoring attempt for Collin, whose goalbound effort was parried by Chenoweth but only into the path of Miguel Suarez who side-footed home from close range. With the game now completely in their control, the home side showed a level of performance that hasn’t been witnessed, at least by me, this season. A wonderful build up involving Chris Piper, Lee Browning and Hill opened up an opportunity for Nathan Korantheng who blasted inches over the top as Tonbridge threatened to run riot.

Barry Hayles, who, one has to say, looked as if he has enjoyed a few Cornish pasties in his time at Treyew Road and the towering Aaron Pugh, were introduced to rescue at least a consolation for the Truro faithful. The game was wrapped up five minutes from time when Browning and Collin interchanged passes before the former was left with a tap in for the third.

So the Cornishmen (and women) were left to trudge their way home, at least comforted by the knowledge that this would be their last journey this season to Kent and that their next trip to Staines is a mere 240-odd miles. Thanks to Steve and his wife, JP and Ivor for their indulgence in the George and Dragon, they have given me the impetus to make the trek to Cornwall next season to renew their acquaintance; perhaps I can persuade the wife to revisit the county of our honeymoon for a romantic weekend to Treyew Road!

Tonbridge 0 Dartford 1

Match 51/11/938 - Saturday, 3 March 2012 - Conference South

Tonbridge (0) 0
Dartford (1) 1 Champion 18
Att. 1,139

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/3,934

Match Report


An absorbing encounter, in front of a bumper derby day crowd of 1,139 was ultimately won by high-flying Dartford but Tonbridge ran their visitors close and, to my mind, deserved a point from the match.

Tonbridge welcomed to the club central defender Olly Shultz from Dover and after a naturally nervous opening few minutes he settled well into a central defensive pairing with the evergreen Ben Judge, Sonny Miles switching to right back.

After an bright opening ten minutes for the home side, Dartford started showing their championship potential and took the lead on 18 minutes. It was a disappointing goal for Tommy Warrilow’s men to concede; a Jon Wallis corner was met by an unchallenged header from Tom Champion into the far corner. Two goals in the previous Saturday’s defeat at Farnborough were conceded in similar fashion and the manager will despair that the same problem would surface again.

Tonbridge had enough of the second half to suggest that a point would have been a fair result but resilient defending and the lack of a little fortune with the ball failing to drop in the right place in the box would deny them the reward.

Woking’s home defeat leaves Dartford with a better than outside chance of catching them at the top of Conference South and they will be glad to have come away from a testing encounter at Longmead with maximum points.

Tonbridge 3 Weston-super-Mare 0

Match 46/11/933 - Saturday, 18 February 2012 - Conference South

Tonbridge (0) 3 Collin 51,71 Main 90+2
Weston-super-Mare (0) 0
Att. 642

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/3,673

Match Report

As I walked away from Longmead this afternoon, the steady rain had saturated my jeans to the point that they were sticking to my legs, I was cold but I was happy and that is the major difference at present between visits to Tonbridge and visits to Gillingham.

Both sit in similar positions in the table, neither are likely to get sucked into a relegation battle and whilst the management at both clubs may make positive noises, it is unlikely that either will challenge for a play-off place. Expectation is the reason for the difference in emotion; consolidation in Blue Square South was the principle ambition for most levelled-headed Tonbridge supporters, so much more was expected from Gillingham. Tonbridge have delivered, Gillingham have not.

It was not the rain but a strong cross-field wind that make the playing conditions difficult in a first half that failed to deflect attention from the cold and the rain. Tonbridge had a couple of reasonable penalty shouts turned away, after 10 minutes Frannie Collin was felled in the area and this was quickly followed by an appeal for hand ball both of which failed to convince the referee. When the first 45 minutes had elapsed it wasn’t hard to come to the conclusion that it had been dull, in fact, very dull.

The second period was a far more entertaining affair with chances aplenty for both sides. Weston-super-Mare opened with a good chance wasted after Ben Judge was caught in possession before Tonbridge took the lead on 51 minutes. This goal was the inspiration of a fellow Angels supporter, Tim Balsdon. Tonbridge were awarded a free kick some distance from the goal, upwards of 40 yards. Tim’s opinion was that a shot was in order given the conditions, swirling wind, wet ball, it was just worth a punt and that is exactly what happened. Collin struck the ball hard and true, it flew directly at WsM’s keeper, Lloyd Irish, who allowed the ball to squirm from his hands and into the net. Poor goalkeeping, great punditry!

Weston-super-Mare went in search of an equaliser and chance after chance went begging by reason of bad finishing and some last-ditch defending. The visitors paid for the profligacy after 73 minutes when Collin showed why he is such a highly rated striker. Rory Hill and Chris Piper carved open a chance for Collin to drive an angled shot into the bottom left hand corner from 20 yards.

Frannie Collin was withdrawn with five minutes remaining and he must have privately cursed his manager for depriving him of a hat-trick when Sonny Miles was brought down in the box to allow Collin’s replacement, Jon Main, to score from the spot.

Gillingham slumped to a sixth successive defeat at Port Vale, but my afternoon’s drenching had been worthwhile.

Tonbridge 2 Dartford 4

Match 44/11/931 - Tuesday, 31 January 2012 - Kent Senior Cup

Tonbridge (1) 2 Piper 12, Korenteng 47
Dartford (0) 4 Pallen 53 Graham 66, 110 Burns 113
After extra time, score at 90 minutes: 2-2
Att. 380

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/3,602

Match Report

It has to be sods law that on a night of absolutely freezing temperature the game you have braved the cold to watch goes into extra time and isn’t it strange that, despite two pairs of socks, the cold that was starting to attack the toes hurts all the more as the team you support goes 4-2 down.

This was a Kent Senior Cup Quarter Final with an extra incentive, that of a semi-final date at home to League One leaders Charlton Athletic. Kent, London Borough of Greenwich, with a London SE7 postcode, all issues that have been well discussed in the build-up to the game, but suffice to say that the competition is all the better for Charlton, Gillingham and perhaps Millwall next year participating. Over 900 people attended Charlton’s previous round encounter at Margate, albeit that they are using a largely reserve side, so the prize on offer was well worth having.

Dartford are a very strong side and on the night fought back from two goals down to force the game into the extra time that nobody wanted and then have the quality on the bench to make the difference to win the tie. They made six changes from the side that thrashed Thurrock on Saturday to maintain their challenge on Woking’s perceived runaway lead at the top of Conference South, whilst Tonbridge happily (well I am) embedded in mid-table fielded as strong a side as they could muster in search of some silverware from the season’s endeavours.

The first half was an even encounter with Tonbridge taking an early lead through Chris Piper and both sides had opportunities to add to the half time scoreline. Tonbridge lost Joe Benjamin after half-an-hour and their threat from the flanks diminished significantly. Tim Olorunda was drafted into a full back position with the ensuing reshuffle from which he looked uncomfortable throughout, especially faced with Richard Graham who could easily have been thought of as the man of the match.

Tonbridge’s goal came from a surging run through the middle of the pitch by Piper who laid the ball down the left to Ade Olorunda whose cross was only partially cleared back to Piper who drove home from inside the box.

The second half began with further success for the home side after just two minutes. Piper picked out Nathan Korenteng with a fine pass into the box and the winger fired low into the bottom corner to double the advantage. Tonight was only the second time I’ve seen Korenteng and he looks a great signing.

If only Tonbridge could have held that two goal lead into the last 20 minutes the game might well have had a different conclusion but within five minutes Dartford had regained a foothold in the game. Graham was allowed to get in a cross from the left and Jack Pallen scored from close range following Ryan Hayes’ knock back into the centre of the goal.

Tonbridge became further disjointed when Ade Olorunda was forced from the field to be substituted by the returning Jon Main, who had been out of action since September. Dartford levelled the scoreline after 66 minutes, Graham firing high into the net from close range after Lee Burns had crossed from the right.

At this point, Dartford were in such ascendancy it was strongly felt that they would go on to win the game in regulation time, but as time elapsed, Tonbridge also had opportunities to take the tie. Main shot wide from a great position on the edge of the box; top scorer Frannie Collin also shot high and wide having appeared to have done the hard work in creating the opportunity with some deft footwork.

Dartford manager, Tony Burman, used the strength of his squad from the bench with automatic first team selections Danny Harris, Jon Wallis and Elliott Bradbrook introduced to the fray. The extra quality and fresh legs determined the outcome to the game. In the second period of extra time and with 10 minutes remaining, Graham converted a cross from the right from close range with give the Darts the lead for a first time and three minutes later Wallis set up Burns to seal the victory. Two goals adrift and Jack Frost biting at the toes was reason enough to call it a night.

Good luck to Dartford in their pursuit of Woking, it would be nice to see another Kent club in Conference National and with all due respect to our friends from SE7, it would be better if a Kent club won the Senior Cup but we certainly thank them for their participation giving the competition a much needed lift.

Tonbridge 1 Bromley 1

Match 38/11/925 - Sunday, 1 January 2012 - Confeerence South

Tonbridge (0) 1 Henry 77
Bromley (0) 1 Rhule 81
Att. 905

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/3,024

Match Report

Midway through the second half with a break in the play due to an injury the referee took the opportunity to roll the ball along the sodden turf and toss it in the air to see whether it would bounce. It failed dismally to pass the bounce test but rolled far enough to convince the official that despite the fact it continued to throw it down the game could continue.

The referee, Mr Ryan Atkins, used a great deal of common sense during the game allowing for the conditions when a couple of mistimed challenge occurred and with the game poised at 0-0 it must have been tempting to bring it to a halt at that particular point.

Both struggled manfully with the conditions and produced an entertaining game with everything considered, splashing their way through pools of water reminiscent of the iconic Tom Finney picture of many moons ago. Another worthy mention was the attendance of 905 who could easily have chosen an afternoon watching an old black and white movie rather than face the elements.

The Tonbridge element in the crowd was mighty pleased with the referee’s decision when Chris Henry fired them into a 77th minute lead with a low shot into the bottom left corner from 20 yards. Unfortunately the lead lasted just four minutes when two Bromley substitutes combined for the equaliser. Ibra Sekajja cut the ball back from the bye-line for Aaron Rhule to tuck the ball home from close range.

Nathan Koranteng made his debut for Tonbridge following his signing from Borehamwood and made a decent impression, once again taking in account it wasn't the conditions for a ball carrying winger. It was a game for defenders to dig in, judge their tackles carefully and for this Sonny Miles was a good choice as man of the match.

As we enter the New Year, a rough estimate would be that four more wins should be enough to secure Tonbridge’s status in Blue Square South, but an eight game winless run needs arresting sooner rather than later.

Tonbridge 1 Bishops Stortford 2

Match 31/11/918 - Tuesday, 29 November 2011 - FA Trophy 3QR Replay

Tonbridge (1) 1 Browning 8
Bishops Stortford (1) 2 Subuola 29 Gayle 75
Att. 274

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/2,138

Match Report

An FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round exit for Tonbridge comes as very little surprise as their record in this particular competition is pretty poor. Since Tommy Warrilow took charge in 2008 there have been defeats in the Trophy at the point of entry twice, whilst the year he took over from Tony Dolby he also lost at his first hurdle. The draw on most occasions has been unkind, but on this occasion having done what might have been considered the hard part and bringing Conference North side Bishop’s Stortford back to Longmead, there was an opportunity to progress with Ryman Premier club Carshalton the hosts awaiting the winners of this replay.

Tonbridge started well, were a goal to the good in seven minutes, quickly saw another chance go by and then their challenge evaporated to the dismay of the paltry attendance of 274, perhaps the stayaways knew something we didn’t.

It all looked fine and dandy after seven minutes when a ball over the top from Scott Kinch found Frannie Collin in space on the left hand side who then stood up the perfect cross for Lee Browning to head home from close range. Within two minutes of the goal, Collin was sent clear again but the pace of the Bishop’s Dave Adepipe was enough to deny the striker a clear run on goal.

The early inroads conspired to produce complacency and slowly the visitors gained a foothold in the game before their equaliser in the 29th minute. Adepipe slipped a pass to Danny Subuola whose shot from 20 yards found the bottom right hand corner of Lee Worgan’s net.

The game sprang to life after 25 minutes of the second half when a Danny Walder shot was beaten away by young Spurs’ loanee keeper Jordan Archer, in the resulting melee Kinch had two attempts to force the ball home but the Bishops stood firm. Whilst Tonbridge were in ascendancy with regards to possession they were getting regularly caught on the break by their visitors and Worgan was forced to make a diving save at his near post. The warning signs were not observed and when three successive corners were conceded it culminated in Dwight Gayle heading in from close range.

Tonbridge finally mustered a grandstand finish but on the night Archer, already a Scotland Under-18 international, showed that he is a fine prospect and repelled Collin with a fine save.

Tonbridge and cup competitions do not sit easily with one another and the £4,000 prize money on offer last night would have been useful money to fund some second half of the season strengthening that might well be needed when the Bristol Rovers loan pair return to their parent club.

Tonbridge 3 Salisbury City 1

Match 18/11/905 - Saturday, 17 September 2011 - Conference South

Tonbridge (2) 3 Collin 26 (pen), 36 Browning 90+3
Salisbury City (1) 1 Giles 79
Att. 511

Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/1,246

Match Report

Its 25 years since Greavsie muttered the words “It’s a funny old game, Saint”, the expression is still frequently used and the old guy had it right, it was and continues to be a funny old game. There are good reasons why only the lucky few ever won big on the football pools, as long as the game is honest it is so hard to predict.

Take last Saturday, Tonbridge visited Thurrock, the two worst defences in Conference South going head to head, goals aplenty to come, none of it, it was somewhat inevitable that a goalless draw would ensue, it did. On Tuesday night at Southend, Gillingham had 15 shots at goal, failed to score and completed a fourth game without a goal from open play, today they took their goal shy attack to Hereford with a new strike partner for Danny Kedwell in Frank Nouble and the result was far less predictable.

Tonbridge welcomed their visitors, Salisbury City to Longmead following successive heavy defeats at Longmead, conceding six against Woking and another five from Farnborough. Salisbury are another full-time outfit and, in truth, I feared the worst for the Angels, but that’s where we come back to Greavsie and the funny old game.

Tonbridge started brightly but had to survive a couple of major scares before taking the lead on 26 minutes. Dan Fitchett dragged a shot wide after a weak clearance and when Ben Judge made a hash of cutting out a through ball, it looked odds on leading scorer Jake Reid would open the scoring but he pulled his shot wide of the post when through on goal. So a certain amount of luck had been ridden when Ben Adelsbury inexplicably handled a cross from Lewis Taylor to give away a penalty that was duly converted by Frannie Collin.

Ten minutes later a sublime effort from Collin put Tonbridge two goals to the good. Fully 25 yards from goal he spun and cracked a shot the whistled into the top corner, stood and took the acclaim in true Cantona fashion. If it had been in the Premiership, Match of the Day would have shown it half-a-dozen times on Saturday night, Tonbridge fans will have to make do with a YouTube clip.

Salisbury took to the field early for the second half with a couple of substitutions to retrieve the situation in which they found themselves and exerted a considerable amount of pressure during the second half but were found wanting in front of goal on more than one occasion. In between, Collin had a great chance to complete his hat trick and tie up the game but he also wasted the opportunity. 12 minutes remained when the visitors finally found a clinical finish, skipper Chris Giles driving a shot from the edge of the box through a packed penalty area to set up a tense finale.

Whilst Salisbury searched for an equaliser, Tonbridge were exploiting the spaces that were being left behind and eventually in stoppage time, Lee Browning showed great composure to finish a surging run with a rising shot that left the keeper with no chance.

Wholly unpredictable, or just me of little faith, whichever, a great result for the Angels against the odds. Meanwhile at Edgar Street, goal shy Gillingham ran riot with a record away victory of 6-1, it was enough for Greavsie to pop his head back on our screens and utter, “It’s a funny old game, Saint”.

Tonbridge 3 Woking 6

Match 13/11/900 - Monday, 29 August 2011 - BSq Conference South

Tonbridge (1) 3 Collin 37 (pen),90 Andrews 75
Woking (3) 6 King 2 (pen), McNerney 17, Ademola 39, Hammond 77,
Gray 85,87
Att. 922

Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/898

Match Report

It was always suspected that during this first-ever season of Conference football, somewhere, along the way, Tonbridge were going to pick up the odd pasting. I had deep misgivings that the August Bank Holiday visit of Woking might well prove to be one of them, sadly I was correct.

Ever since the first couple of games when Tonbridge were well beaten at home by a Sutton side that had taken an opening day thrashing from Woking this game took on the mantle of an accident waiting to happen. Saturday’s encouraging goalless draw at Dover offered some optimism that defensive fragility had been addressed, two minutes of playing time told a different story.

Once the home side had conceded an early penalty, they were on the back foot, chasing the game and mostly chasing a Woking forward line that cut through almost at will. It is disappointing that a positive that can be taken from the game, scoring three times against a side that had previously conceded just one goal in their first five matches, will be lost in the scoreline.

A bumper attendance of 922 watched the horror show unfold. Six goals would suggest that the back line were to blame, but this has to be shared with a midfield that was completely swamped as Mark Ricketts and Jack King dominated whist Paris Cowan-Hall was a box of tricks to which Tonbridge had no answer. Perhaps it is a good indication of the strength of this Woking side that Cowan-Hall was making his first start of the season, until today having been a bench-warmer. Upfront was the experienced pairing of Elvis Hammond, once a £250,000 signing for Leicester City and Moses Ademola who had Football League experience at Brentford.

Cowan-Hall sent a pass through to Ademola, Lee Worgan seemed slightly hesitant from his line and brought down the forward to concede a second minute penalty from which King converted and the tough afternoon was on its way. The visitors hit a post before doubling their advantage on 16 minutes, Worgan parried a shot from Hammond but only into the path of Joe McNerney who wasn’t going to miss from close range.

It was one-way traffic but the home side were offered a route back into the game five minutes before the break when Sonny Miles was pushed in the box and Frannie Collin cooly despatched the resultant penalty. It was imperative that Tonbridge reached the break trailing by just the single goal but that wish lasted a mere minute. The pest that was Cowan-Hall wriggled his way into the box, Worgan parried again but only into the path of Ademola who thumped it home. I make that of the last six goals that Tonbridge had conceded as at half time in this match, Worgan had parried four of them only to see the rebound fall to the eventual goalscorer, unlucky or poor defending?

Any lingering hopes were quickly extinguished in the second half. Chris Henry was unfortunate to pick up a booking for simulation when he clearly appeared to be tripped before Hammond blasted home on 55 minutes to wrap up the match. Credit does go to Tonbridge that they continued to pose problems for the Cards’ defence and with 15 minutes remaining pulled another goal back when Ben Andrews squeezed his header in from a corner. Once again a whimsical ounce of hope was quickly brushed to one side. Wayne Gray, a substitute boasting over 300 Football League appearances, came off the bench to score twice from close range after Cowan-Hall and Dale Binns had shredded Tonbridge’s right hand side.

I have to admit a pressing need to be somewhere else led to a resignation of this match and, by all accounts, Collin’s goal to make it
6-3 was the goal of the game, but I wasn’t there to see it.

There are probably going to be a few more thrashings but Tommy Warrilow and his troops have to set these aside if and when they happen and keep the confidence as high as possible, because as Tonbridge have already proved, there are going to be very few teams quite as potent as Woking and there are plenty more points on offer to secure safety.

Tonbridge 1 Sutton United 4

Match 09/11/896 - Tuesday, 16 August 2011 - BSq Conference South

Tonbridge (0) 1 Collin 85
Sutton United (2) 4 Beautyman 7, Orilonishe 15,79, Riviere 86
Att. 683

Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/638

Match Report

Reality can bite back and it when it does, it can really hurt.

Sutton United’s heavy defeat at the hands of Woking and the Angels comprehensive win at Maidenhead should not have led to any complacency and on the pitch there was no evidence that it did, but the events of the evening led to a severe wake-up call for one and all.

The Tonbridge back line that had looked assured on Saturday was led a merry dance by Leroy Griffiths, a striker who was completely out of his depth during his spell at Gillingham, and the very impressive Fola Orilonishe, whilst the home front line was easily controlled by Karim El-Salahi and Sam Page, a powerful central defensive pairing.

Tonbridge endured a nightmare start to the game and struggled to gain a foothold from that early period. With just seven minutes on the clock, an under hit back pass from Jon Heath allowed Harry Beautyman a one-on-one with Lee Worgan; the keeper managed to parry at the feet of the Sutton striker but the rebound allowed an open goal to tap into.

After 14 minutes, Griffiths set up Orilonishe, once again Worgan parried the first effort but the ball fell kindly and the Sutton No. 4 was able to score with covering defenders unable to make a challenge. At this point, with Tonbridge being opened up almost at will, a long evening looked as though it would ensue. To a certain extent the home side responded and Jon Main had an attempt that was wide and Ade Olorunda had a goal disallowed for a push, but the whistle had long since sounded.

Just prior to half time the Angels defence once again went to sleep and it took a fine double stop from Worgan to thwart Griffiths and Beautyman’s follow-up was kept out by Sonny Miles. Sutton had looked two yards quicker throughout a one-sided first period.

Tonbridge made a better fist of the second half without imposing much of a threat before 15 minutes from time Sutton made the game safe. Griffiths was once again the provider as his right wing pass found substitute Ramone McCrea, whose shot was parried by Worgan into the path for Orilonshe to tap in front close range. Sympathy has to go to the Tonbridge keeper who managed to get something onto every one of the goals but only managed to find the eventual scorer.

Frannie Collin, on as substitute for Main, scored a consolation goal with eight minutes remaining before Anthony Riviere scored the goal of the match a minute later with a magnificent shot curled into the far corner from 20 yards, this time giving Worgan no chance.

Hopefully an encouraging attendance of 683 will not be too disheartened by this opening Blue Square Conference South fixture and will return in similar numbers in the future, but next time there will be no false illusions as to the task that faces Tommy Warrilow and his troops in the coming weeks.

Tonbridge 5 Gillingham 2

Match 03/11/890 - Thursday, 21 July 2011 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge (2) 5 Collin 22,79 (pen) Kinch 40, Main 87, Parter (o.g.) 90
Gillingham (2) 2 Rance 19, Davies 32
Att. 448

Entrance: Senior Citizen £5
Programme: £0.50
Mileage: 26/108

Match Report

In the 35 years that I’ve supported both clubs there has never been a pre-season friendly between them, but there have been two Kent Senior Cup ties (one win apiece) in that period, the last in 1997.

So this was a game keenly anticipated by myself, and much to the Binman’s chagrin, I was supporting Tonbridge on the night, longevity of support the governing factor.

For the home side there was the opportunity to put their calamitous start to pre-season behind them, but for Gillingham, who brought a side made up of youngsters and triallists, nothing more than those players making an impression on the manager.

The end result was a confidence-building win for Tonbridge with nobody emerging with honours from the visiting ranks.

Daren Hawkes, in the Gillingham goal, effectively their number two keeper until such times as a more experienced signing is made, had a particularly difficult night. He found himself in no-man’s land early on and was saved by a poor finish and after Gillingham had taken the lead through a splendid Dean Rance finish from 25 yards, he chased from his goal line to the edge of the box, only to be beaten to the ball by ex-Gill Frannie Collin, who coolly lobbed the errant keeper.

Barry Fuller, the one first-teamer on display searching for match fitness, struck a 32nd minute free kick that rebounded from the underside of the bar allowing Callum Davies to head home from a yard to give Gillingham a 2-1 lead before a well constructed move ended with Scott Kinch heading in from close range to level the proceedings at half time.

The second half was also an even contest until Tonbridge benefited from an uncharitable refereeing decision with ten minutes remaining. Hawkes made another hash of collecting a cross and when Alwyne Jones’ shot was handled on the line by Davies, the young defender was shown the red card as the official exercised the letter of the law. It was a friendly, for Christ’s sake!

Collin smashed home the penalty and Tonbridge then ran riot for the final ten minutes. Jon Main delighted the 442 attendance with his first goal on his return to the club, a glancing header and Gills misery was complete when Jack Parter deflected the ball past the hapless Hawkes for a fifth.

There have not been many times I’ve gone home happy at a Gillingham defeat, but it was morale boosting for Tommy Warrilow’s side to bounce back after their Brentford trauma.

Tonbridge 0 Brentford 10

Match 02/11/889 - Saturday, 16 July 2011 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge (0) 0
Brentford (4) 10 McDonald 20, 29, 31, 44, Alexander 52 55, 80 (pen), Hacker 81, 90, Spillane 88
Att. 420

Entrance: Senior Citizen £5
Programme: £0.50
Mileage: 26/82

Match Report

Continuing our summer catch-up we move on to Tonbridge where the main news of the summer was the Main news, that of the return of Jon Main to the club. There had been whispers that it might happen but personally I thought this was no more than wishful thinking by a few fantasists. But on Thursday, 9th June, a daily visit to the Tonbridge Forum left me open-mouthed . . . a post indicating that a trip to the official site might be worthwhile, the Legend had returned.

Two further ex-Angels have returned to the club for their debutant season in Conference South, Anthony Storey and Tim Olorunda with Ben Andrews also arriving from Horsham.

The visit of Brentford for the first of Tonbridge’s pre-season friendlies became greatly anticipated, but ended with sheer bewilderment as the home side was crushed by a virtual cricket score.

Brentford were quality, even though they were playing a side three divisions lower than themselves, I will be surprised if they are not in the shake-up for promotion from League One in the coming season. They had strikers clinical in the execution of their trade in Charlie McDonald and Gary Alexander and they had a new signing, Clayton Donaldson, who scored 28 goals for Crewe last term, who failed to get onto the score sheet. Mind you, he was instrumental in just about everything else.

Tonbridge just about held their own for the opening 20 minutes before McDonald tucked home the first from close range and then with goals in the 29th, 31st and 44th minute added to his total to leave the half time score at Tonbridge 0 McDonald 4. Thankfully, new Brentford manager Uwe Rosler had seen enough of the ex-Ebbsfleet striker and withdrew him at half time.

Not that it gave the Angels any respite. On came Gary Alexander and he helped himself to a hat trick with goals five, six and seven. Brentford showed no mercy and the goals continued to flow and even when they had reached double figures they were still looking for more.

Sadly for Tonbridge it was a friendly that had came far too early. Their visitors had been away for a training camp in Norway and were three weeks into pre-season training. It was at least a compliment to the club that Brentford brought their full-strength squad to Longmead.

So a rude awakening for Tonbridge and their supporters who might have thought that all they needed was the Main news.