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| Tuesday, 23 September, 2003: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Tonbridge Angels 1-0 Burgess Hill Town Lynden Rowland's 34th minute strike was enough to overcome a well organised and hard-working Burgess Hill team, and keep the Angels right in the leading pack on a cold, clear night at Longmead Stadium. Tonbridge were missing Nick Barnes (suspended), plus Hamid Barr and Lloyd Hume (nursing injuries, named as subs). John Beales, Steve Searle and Tony Dolby deputised. The Hillians nearly caught the Angels cold after just two minutes, when Nick Sullivan's cross found Nicky Wyatt unmarked at the far post. Wyatt contrived to nod the ball wide, but from then on, play was almost all in the Burgess Hill half. Ray Powell lobbed over the bar after intercepting a back pass and was close again on 17 minutes, making space for himself on the edge of the box and firing a low drive just wide. Tonbridge began to play some fluent football, and were nearly rewarded when Dolby's 25-yarder smacked the bar after a neat build-up. Another nicely worked move set up a chance for Rowland, but his shot was easily saved by visitors 'keeper Pat Gannon. An Angels goal began to look inevitable, and what a cracker it was when it came. Dolby played a perfect pass out of defence into Peter Overton's run. Overton quickly fed Powell on the right and "Razor" put the cross right on the money for Rowland to tuck away at the near post. Another flowing Angels move set up Searle for a fierce drive from 18 yards, but Gannon somehow tipped it round the angle. Sam Tydeman was just wide with a skidding 20-yarder as Tonbridge went into the break totally dominating the game. Gannon was again in action straight after the resumption, leaping to his left to tip over Tydeman's free kick. Tydeman then set up Rowland whose shot was deflected for a corner. The Hillians sporadic breakouts were not really troubling the Angels defence, though Sullivan and Wyatt did manage long range efforts as the visitors attempted to relieve the pressure. Brendon Cass replaced Searle for the last half-hour - and nearly made a second for the Angels on 66 minutes, Ben Andrews just getting to his through ball before Rowland as Gannon came out. Gannon then beat out a fierce drive from Tonbridge sub Luke Piscina at the near post after Burgess Hill failed to clear a bouncing ball in the box. The second goal wouldn't quite come for Tonbridge as the visitors continued to defend with determination, and it was no surprise when the Angels treated the faithful to a couple of hesitant moments in stoppage time. With the Hillians belatedly trying to nick a point, Jamie Turner fumbled James Virgo's long shot but fortunately had plenty of time to recover. Turner then had to save from Sullivan at the death after Tonbridge failed to clear a long punt into the box. An accomplished performance from Tony Dolby at the back won him the Angels Man of the Match award from Match Sponsors Electrolux. Sam Tydeman also had a superb game in midfield for Tonbridge, against a Burgess Hill side that look well capable of improving on their league position as the season progresses. Match Report by: Tony Browne. |
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