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| Saturday, 13 December, 2003: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Tonbridge Angels 1-2 Folkestone Invicta Folkestone came from behind to win this pulsating clash of Kent's top two Eastern Division clubs and bring to an end the Angels undefeated home league run stretching back to 1st March. The game was put in doubt after heavy overnight rain, but the Longmead pitch held up surprisingly well despite only being passed fit less than two hours before kick-off. Both teams were missing a key player for this one. Sam Tydeman sat out a one game suspension for the Angels, Steve Searle deputising in midfield. Folkestone's star striker and Division leading scorer Allan Tait was out with a hamstring injury. Tonbridge started brightly and could have been 2-0 up after five minutes. Invicta goalie Tony Kessell was relieved to see Ray Powell miss the target from a good position in the opening minute, then even more relieved when his poor clearance from the edge of the box fell to Hamid Barr - only for Barr to hit the ball straight back at the stranded 'keeper just a few yards away. Drew Watkins curled a free kick inches wide for the Vics and Kessell had to get down smartly to keep out a deflected Nick Barnes cross. The game settled into an even contest with Tonbridge having slightly more of the play but Folkestone always looking dangerous going forward. Watkins missed a golden chance to give the visitors the lead on 33 minutes, firing over from six yards with the goal at his mercy after Jamie Turner had clawed away a shot from James Dryden. A great saving tackle by Tony Dolby denied Dryden again soon afterwards, and the teams went in scoreless at half time despite plenty of goalmouth action at both ends. The Angels took the lead with a superb goal straight after the restart. Barnes picked up the ball on the halfway line, ran at the Invicta defence and lobbed the ball neatly over the advancing Kessell after an exchange of passes with Lynden Rowland, on at half time for the injured Powell. The end-to-end action continued. Ryan Royston had a shot cleared off the Folkestone line and there were plenty more near things around both goals before Invicta equalised midway through the half. Tonbridge failed to clear a corner, allowing Anthony Hogg hit the loose ball through a crowd of players past the unsighted Turner. The visitors now started to get the better of the chances. Turner saved well from Martin Chandler, and Hogg fluffed a header when in space at the far post. Folkestone went ahead immediately after Royston limped off to be replaced by Brendon Cass with 10 minutes to go, Mark Munday taking advantage of the consequent defensive confusion to finish sweetly from 20 yards. A Cass shot deflected to safety off John Guest, then Andy Larkin missed a great chance to salvage a point for Tonbridge near the end, shooting wide from close in when the ball came to him after a scramble in the box. Despite the defeat, the Angels played their part in a fine game. Peter Overton drove the team relentlessly from midfield and duly picked up the Angels Man of the Match award from Match Sponsor Linda Brown, celebrating her 50th birthday. Report by: Tony Browne Pyramid Football Report |
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