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| Saturday, 6 September, 2003: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Tonbridge Angels 2-2 Salisbury City Following the late dismissal of Nick Barnes, 10-man Tonbridge were denied at the death when Salisbury were awarded a penalty in the 7th minute of stoppage time. Steve Strong appeared to be clipped by Craig Roser, and Gary Funnell beat Jamie Turner from the spot to salvage a valuable point for the visitors. Both defences were kept at full stretch in a lively opening few minutes and Sam Tydeman quickly had the Angels a goal up. Hamid Barr was brought down on the edge of the area, the free kick was rolled square, and Tydeman drilled a low left footer past Kevin Sawyer from the corner of the box. Tonbridge were the sharper of the two teams for the rest of the first half, continually being first to the ball but unable to recapture the fluency of late and make their possession count. Neither 'keeper was really troubled, the Angels coming nearest just before the break when Barnes picked up a clearance from a corner and ran the full length of the pitch - but ended with a weak shot easily saved by Sawyer. Tonbridge struck again soon after the break. Fine approach play from Roser and Lynden Rowland set up Brendon Cass for a powerful drive from the edge of the box which the flying Sawyer could only beat out. Tydeman was on hand to gleefully bury the rebound. The visitors brought on Aaron Turner up front to replace injured skipper Scott Bartlett and began to pose the Angels defence more problems. Wayne Turk managed Salisbury's first shot on goal on the hour, a scuffed effort straight to the 'keeper, but City nicked a goal back with 20 minutes left. Strong collected a flick-on and slotted home after Andy Larkin was beaten in the air for the first time in the game. With 81 minutes gone Barnes was shown a straight red card after a touchline flare-up with Strong. The disappointed Angels man was slow to leave the playing area, forcing referee Eamonn Smith to delay the restart and add further to the stoppage time already in the bank for injuries to Larkin, Jamie Turner and a particularly lengthy break for treatment to City's Bartlett. Alan Walker immediately threw on Kieran Wilson, and the Angels put up a blanket defence in an attempt to hold their advantage. (Jamie) Turner did well to scramble (Aaron) Turner's header round the post, and Tonbridge looked to have done enough - but just couldn't quite outlast the referee's stopwatch. A commanding performance at the heart of the Angels defence won Andy Larkin the Man of the Match award from Match Sponsors Bob Woolmer Sports. Sam Tydeman's two goals and typically committed performance also won him plenty of plaudits. Classy former Exeter and Yeovil defender Michael Cooper was outstanding for Salisbury, and the lively Strong always made himself difficult for the Angels defence to contain. Report by: Tony Browne |
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