Late goals from ex-Angels Nick Humphrey and Anthony Hogg nearly brought a reward as Dover staged an improbable late comeback from three goals down with just 15 minutes left - but Tonbridge, reduced to ten men after the dismissal of Wade Falana, held on amid nail-biting tension and reclaimed their Ryman Premier League status at the first attempt.

The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to let in the crowd of 1853, a new record for a competitive fixture at Longmead Stadium. They certainly had their money's worth in a lively but good-natured atmosphere as the Angels looked to have the job done well before the end, but the Whites (who contributed to their own predicament with a penalty miss in the second half) took advantage of brief moments of slackness and indiscipline and hauled themselves right back into the game.

The sides hadn't managed a goal between them in either league fixture and both were missing key strikers for this one. With Angels player of the year and leading goalscorer Ray Powell suspended following a red card in the semi-final, Falana got the call to partner Jon Main up front with Jay May taking a slot on the bench. Tonbridge were hoping Main's recent return of confidence and goalscoring form would continue, and so it was to prove. Athletic's experienced and prolific goalscorer James Dryden was kept out by a knee injury suffered in the semi, Tommy Tyne starting in his place.

With semi-final hero Nick Barnes also suspended for Tonbridge, Dobla's options were somewhat limited in midfield. Danny Lye was the one to start from the bench, with Dobla once again playing an anchor role alongside Alex O'Brien with Luke Piscina in a more advanced position. Fraser Logan and Drew Watkins adopted their now-familiar wing back roles.

Craig Wilkins put a shot just wide for Dover in a predictably tense opening, but Tonbridge were soon in the lead with a superb goal from Main on 16 minutes. The Angels striker controlled a long clearance from Jerome John and sidestepped two defenders before placing a precise left foot shot just inside Darren Smith's far post. John made a fine save from Wilkins' header to preserve the lead, but the Angels went two up midway through the first half. Logan cut inside his man on the left and swung in a teasing cross. Craig Cloke attempted to clear it, but made minimal contact and only succeeded in helping the ball on its way past Smith inside the far post. Logan was intent on laying claim to the goal after the game - "It's definitely mine" said the delighted Scot. "It was going in anyway, the touch didn't make any difference. Right Foot as well!!".

The stunned Whites rallied but did little to trouble John in the Angels goal and could have been three down but for a brilliant save from Smith on 35 minutes after Piscina put Main away. The ex-Cray man did everything right but saw his thumping shot clawed away by the flying Whites 'keeper.

Tonbridge brought on Mike Cramp for the injured Watkins at half-time in a straight positional swap, and continued to defend with determination whilst always looking dangerous on the break. Falana continued his first-half dominance in the air, with the busy Main always looking to feed off the knockdowns. Tyne put a close range header over the top for Dover on the hour, then had a golden chance to kickstart a Whites comeback soon afterwards when a penalty was awarded for handball against O'Brien. Tyne stepped up, but was left hanging his head in his hands after hitting the outside of the right-hand post.

Dover brought on Hogg and striker Michael Smissen to add more firepower, but it seemed all up for the Whites when Falana headed in the Angels third on 75 minutes from a superb Logan cross, Piscina also being prominent in the move. "Super Wade" indulged in his traditional mode of celebrating important goals by removing his shirt in front of the home fans, earning himself a yellow card in the process.

The real drama was yet to come. Humphrey quickly pulled one back, heading home unchallenged from a corner, and the Angels suddenly had a fight on their hands when Falana was dismissed following a second yellow for elbows, Referee McCaul judging that intent was there despite there being no harm done to the opposing player involved in the challenge.

Dover threw everything they could at the Angels and Hogg made it 3-2 with four minutes still left, a fine right-foot strike from just inside the box giving John no chance. With the Tonbridge goal under siege and time ticking away, another Hogg blast cannoned to safety off his own player Smissen, Steve Aris heading off the line as the ball was played back in. With Angels Players and Fans alike desperately willing the final whistle, the referee finally obliged after five minutes of stoppage time, and the celebrations began in earnest.

"We made it hard for ourselves" was Dobla's verdict after the game. "With eleven men on the pitch we looked comfortable, but I thought the sending-off was harsh." There were also some words of encouragement for Whites' manager Clive Walker. "It's always a shame when someone you know suffers disappointment, but Clive will rally his troops and go into next season with a great chance of promotion".

Report by: Tony Browne

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