The majority of the Angels side at Greatness Park was made up of reserves & triallists, with three experienced players forming the backbone of the side. Mike Rutherford was managing the Tonbridge line-up, wearing their new change strip of red & black for the first time. In a flat 4-4-2 formation, John Farley marshalled the defence alongside highly-rated prospect Richard Shaw, with Reserves regulars Mike McKeown at right-back and Darren Pearson at left-back, in front of the largely unknown Jeff Ray in goal. In midfield triallist Luke Williams partnered captain Tim Hambley. James Burns took the left-wing spot with John Sinclair on the right. Up front new signing Warren Haughton partnered former Under-18s striker Tom Creasey.

On a pitch which had not survived the lack of recent wet weather, and which was looking decidedly yellow as a result, the game started slowly. It was Tonbridge who had the best effort early on when Creasey was set free en route to goal by a defence-splitting Hambley pass, but the young striker hesitated and his shot was blocked at ground level by the Sennockian goalkeeper Craig Clarke, who reacted instantly to save at height from Haughton’s rebound effort. Sevenoaks were proving more than a match for their neighbours and their first chance came when Dave Forster headed just wide from a corner. The former Angel soon made amends, heading home on 25 minutes from a left-wing cross. It was the pitch condition which was to dominate, however, as both sides continued to struggle to find their rhythm.

After half-time Haughton showed some good skill in turning on the ball to shoot but Clarke again saved well. The home side had a chance to double their lead when a cross from the left just evaded the path of Dave Forster, but it found the feet of the number 14 who found his shot blocked by a defender. Wholesale changes soon followed, particularly for the Angels who in total introduced nine substitutes into the match. Richard Shaw stayed on for the whole 90 minutes and belied his young age with a calm, composed and influential display, there can be no doubt he will be knocking on the door of the first-team this season.

Tonbridge substitute Derek Townsend shot just wide from distance after making space for himself outside the area. With the game petering to a close there was nearly a chance for Sevenoaks to make it 2-0 in the final moments, substitute striker Dan Powell showed some good touches on the ball before launching a shot from the left-wing that just swung wide.

There were some positives to take home despite the result, triallist Dan White impressed when he came on as sub for the second half, and man-of-the match Shaw was in fine form at the back, and there are several more friendlies in which some of these players will get a chance to showcase their talents.

Report by: Dan Couldridge

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