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| Saturday, 17 January 2004: Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Tonbridge Angels 1-1 Corby Town A Tonbridge squad decimated by suspension, injury and recent player departures had to settle for a point against an improving Corby side, who extended their unbeaten run to five games. Had this fixture been played a month ago, no fewer than ten of the sixteen Angels players named would most likely have been different. Tonbridge were without John Beales and Steve Searle (both injured), plus the suspended trio of Tony Dolby, Luke Piscina and Jamie Turner. Fisher's Michael Holder deputised for Turner in goal; loan signing Dean Forbes made his home debut in central defence, and new signing Veli Hakki came into midfield for Searle. Damien Hodge replaced Dolby at sweeper, with Keith Moore getting the nod at right back. Tonbridge started brightly. Hamid Barr found himself with a good opening after a sharp exchange of passes with Leroy Huggins, but placed his shot wide. Huggins' control let him down when Moore's cross found him unmarked 8 yards from goal; then Corby 'keeper Richard Lavin had to be out quickly to smother at Ray Powell's feet, before Lee Glover's run and shot extended Holder at the other end. The Steelmen began to have more of the game as the Angels play became somewhat disjointed. Richard Challinor should have done better with a far-post header, and it was no surprise when Corby took the lead on 32 minutes. Richard Moore was played through, and coolly rounded Holder to score from a narrow angle. Both 'keepers were at full stretch leading up to half time - Lavin saving well from Craig Roser and Barr, while Holder gathered Michael Sneddon's firm low shot at the second attempt. Both proceeded to get themselves booked soon after the restart - the Referee finally losing patience with Lavin's time-wasting, then showing yellow to Holder for tripping Sneddon outside the box. The Angels gradually began to play with more purpose in the second half, the visitors being content to defend and play on the break. Nick Barnes spurned a great chance to equalise on the hour, firing wide after Barr's free kick deflected off the Corby wall and fell invitingly - but the leveller duly came five minutes later, Huggins heading in Hakki's cross after some skilful and determined work near the corner flag from the debut man. Holder had to be alert to deny Moore as the Steelmen hit straight back, then pulled off a great save after a scramble in the Tonbridge box - however, the assistant's raised flag would have ruled out a Corby score. Powell planted a close-range header past the angle from Huggins' cross for the Angels - but Corby came close to nicking it near the end, Holder pulling off another fine save from Sneddon. This was a story of too many missed chances for Tonbridge, but Corby made some good openings of their own, and also could have bagged all three points had it not been for Holder's sharpness in the Angels goal. Another solid display at the back saw Ryan Royston pick up the Angels Man of the Match award. Report by: Tony Browne |
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