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| Saturday, 30 August, 2003: FA Cup Preliminary Round. Tonbridge Angels 4-0 BAT Sports The Angels began their FA Cup campaign with a comfortable win over our visitors from the Wessex League. Sports were originally the "works" side for British American Tobacco based in Totton near Southampton, and still retain those links. They earned their visit to Longmead by beating Cobham Town in the previous round. Brendon Cass started up front in place of Ray Powell who was unavailable. Tony Dolby came in for Lloyd Hume at the back, otherwise Alan Walker was able to field a full strength Angels team. Jamie Turner was the first 'keeper in action, pulling in Richard Gregory's fizzing 20-yarder in the opening seconds. The Angels missed a great chance to take the lead on two minutes after Lynden Rowland's cross picked out the unmarked Cass at the far post, but he headed wide. Rowland was in the thick of things for Tonbridge and set up Cass again with a neat flick-on, but this time 'keeper Gareth Barfoot denied Brendon with a fine one-handed save. It was Dave Lewis's turn to save the Tobaccomen on 20 minutes, clearing a Cass header off the line with Barfoot well beaten. The ball was eventually cleared for a corner from which Andy Larkin was bundled over in the box. Hamid Barr duly set the Angels on their way with his 4th spot-kick of the season. It was no surprise when Cass made it 2-0 on 33 minutes. Barfoot dropped a Barr free kick from the left wing and Cass pounced on the loose ball for his 5th goal of the season - all in just 150 minutes or so on the pitch! Kieron Wilson became an unlikely central defender after 38 minutes when Ryan Royston hobbled off with a calf injury, but Sports were showing little threat up front. A couple of long-range Barr efforts either side of the interval, both easily saved by Barfoot, were all the Angels had to show for their continued dominance until 55 minutes when Cass headed home after fine approach play from Craig Roser and Rowland. A linesman's flag cut the celebrations short on this occasion, but a very similar move just a minute later had the referee pointing to the centre circle. This time Cass fed the overlapping Roser, whose cross was headed in at the near post by skipper Peter Overton. With the result now assured, Barr (and later Cass) were withdrawn in favour of Luke Piscina and midweek signing Damien Hodge. A Dolby header was scrambled off the line, then Andy Chance foiled Rowland with a last-ditch tackle as Sports wilted. Nick Barnes nearly got on the scoresheet with a flying bullet header(!) before Sam Tydeman completed the scoring two minutes from time, turning in Overton's cross after Barfoot had parried a fierce drive from Piscina. A goal and good skipper's performance in midfield won Peter Overton the Man of the Match award from match sponsors Clarkson Hyde accountants. Andy Larkin, Craig Roser and Sam Tydeman were also outstanding in a solid all-round Angels team performance. Tonbridge face a sterner test in the next round in the form of strong Ryman Division 1 outfit Lewes at Longmead on the 13th of September, but the Angels in this form will be saying "Bring 'em on".... Report by: Tony Browne |
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