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| Tuesday, 16 December, 2003: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Tonbridge Angels 0-1 Chatham Town Chatham's recent surge up the League Table continued as they ground out a victory on a bitterly cold night at Longmead, against a Tonbridge side back to full strength after recent injuries and suspensions. The Chats took the lead inside 60 seconds. The Angels defence was caught napping when a cross came in, Glen Billiness getting between two defenders to score with a fine header low to Jamie Turner's right from ten yards. It was nearly two after just four minutes when Daniel Lombardo was put clean through, but Turner was equal to the Chatham striker's low shot. Tonbridge gradually got into their game but were constantly denied time and space by a very busy Chats team. Hamid Barr shot over after a mazy run midway through the half, then Peter Overton got in the way of Andy Boyle's goalbound effort after Turner had come for a cross and missed it. Chatham 'keeper Ollie Cotton had to pull off a smart save from Barr at the near post with half an hour gone. With the break approaching, Kevin Spriggs got goalside of Nick Barnes inside the Angels box and fell under the wing back's challenge. The referee gave Barnes the benefit of the doubt despite strong appeals for a spot kick from the visitors. Ryan Royston quickly had a chance to pull Tonbridge level from a corner, but found the side netting. The second half was all Tonbridge. John Beales and Lynden Rowland were on for Andy Larkin and Ray Powell (both first half injury victims) and the men in blue were camped in the Chatham half. The Angels just couldn't find the cutting edge to make their pressure tell - the Chats defence remained disciplined and never looked like giving Tonbridge anything on a plate. Craig Roser and Brendon Cass both had shots blocked in the six yard box, then Barr and Overton missed the target when set up with good chances. Cotton could only parry Rowland's shot on 82 minutes but Danny Larkin was able to clear the loose ball comfortably. There was to be no grandstand finish however. The Angels could only muster a few hopeful long-range efforts as time ebbed away, and Chatham got their reward for a gritty and determined performance. On the night, Tonbridge lacked the sharpness required to break the visitors down despite constant probing by Hamid Barr, who duly picked up the Angels Man of the Match award as nominated by Mike D'Arcy of TAFC Youth. Report by: Tony Browne |
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