Tuesday, February 3, 2009 19:42
With the weather playing a huge part in disrupting many Under 18 games it was good for both sides to get the game on, although both sides were tested with initially a hard bumpy surface to contend with, then the snow fell, making visibility difficult and playing even more so, but credit to both sides for their efforts. The game began with one change from last time out for Town,
Matt Wilson came in for Kris Richardson who started from the bench. Town also welcomed back onto the bench Liam Gould after injury problems.
Town found it difficult throughout most of the first half, a strong wind at their backs actually affecting allot of their through balls, and with nothing really flowing for Town Tonbridge were able to get a foot hold in the game, certainly retaining the ball better, and looking a threat particularly down the right, where some good balls were being played across the Town box.
However with Town obviously high in confidence from previous results they were to take the lead from a set piece, an in-swinging ball from the left side some 35 yards out delivered by David Miles flew over everyone including the Tonbridge keeper to put Town one up. By this stage Town did look physically stronger although they were far from their best, also in the early stages they lost Danny Smith to a bad challenge, on came Kris Richardson as a straight replacement on the left hand side of midfield.
Town certainly needed to keep the lead for a longer period to help settle them down but it was not to be, a needlessly conceded free-kick was hung up inside the Town box where there was an unusual amount of uncertainty, this was capitalised on by the Tonbridge player who was determined to meet the ball ahead of keeper Hodgson.
This lead to a spell of messy football by Town, uncertain clearances, poor ball retention, and unusually less than threatening up front. This obviously enabled Tonbridge to build some confidence they played some good football and were resolute when they had to be at the back, even though Town were not at their best they have shown they are very difficult to break down and played out the half to go in at 1-1.
The game was now very evenly poised, and it was an error that allowed Tonbridge to take the all important lead, with Town in control of possession on the half way line a sudden loss of concentration allowed the ball to be charged down, suddenly a two on one situation developed with the Tonbridge player bearing down on goal, with Sparks flying back the Tonbridge player chose to pass the ball to his unmarked colleague who had the simple task of putting Tonbridge 2-1 up.
With 25 minutes left things became urgent for Town, 2 substitutes were made on came Stefan Wall for Axford, and Cansick made way for Liam Gould. This lead to Town playing 3 at the back and pushing up risking a third goal, whilst chasing the equaliser. It did in fact lead to Town's most threatening spell of football, the ball was passed shorter and quicker through the team, Gould was getting on the ball and linking play well.
Unlike previous Weeks however Town were not to take their chances, first a great ball from deep allowed Wall a chance to run straight towards the Tonbridge keeper, his shot was half blocked by the keeper and the Tonbridge defender completed the clearance. Suddenly West got free on the right drove into the penalty area but couldn't quite find a Town player in the box. Then Town from a corner with 5 minutes remaining, missed their best opportunity, a corner from the right was met by Wilson, the ball bounced down off the bar just the wrong side of the line, again Tonbridge cleared. Tonbridge dealt with Town's pressure well whilst always looking a threat on the break, Town certainly played their best football at the end of the game but it was case of too little too late, and Tonbridge progressed into the semi-finals.