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| Saturday, 5 April, 2003: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Spalding United 1-3 Tonbridge Angels The Angels continued their impressive run of form with a 3-1 defeat of relegation favourites Spalding. Two goals in the first 18 minutes seemed to wrap up victory although hopes of a repeat of the recent 6-1 drubbing over the Tulips were not to be realised. Tonbridge started the game in much the same manner as that 6-1 win, attacking immediately from the start and sapping any confidence the home side might have had. The Spalding defence again had no answer to Hamid Barr's trickery, and he set up the first goal on 9 minutes, sending two defenders the wrong way before flicking a cross with the outside of his foot onto the head of Paul Emblen at the far post. Peter Overton then found a path down the left side, and his more orthodox cross was ignored by the defence who watched it rebound off the inside of the post into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Shahbaz Hussain. At the other end Tony Reynolds had to be at full stretch to stop a shot with Hume clearing, but Tonbridge confirmed their control of the match by doubling the lead on 18 minutes. Paul Emblen was clean through on goal but hesitated, lost space and his shot was rebounded into Ray Powell's path who drove the ball home. Hard to believe that a year ago it was our own team struggling at the foot of the league. No more goals were forthcoming during the rest of the first half as the Angels allowed their opponents more of the possession and failed to make any clear-cut chances. However the result was made clear just three minutes into the second half, as Powell put Barr through with only the goalkeeper to beat. Hamid made no mistake and calmly lobbed the ball over Hussain's head for 3-0. Powell, struggling with a knock, was quickly replaced by Piscina to be rested for the Erith match. Spalding managed to secure a consolation goal through their substitute Shrieves, but there was not to be a comeback. Piscina almost grabbed a fourth but found Hussain in top form, the 17 year-old seeing his fierce volley tipped over the bar. Hussain was also at full stretch to stop a rasping drive from Barr, and the final minutes of the game were seen out with no incident. Report by Dan Couldridge. |
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