Tonbridge Angels came away disappointed as Billericay did a smash & grab taking the three points leaving the players, Manager & supporters in shock.

The first 15 minutes saw Billericay come out of the blocks without really causing many problems, their first half chance came in the 15^th minute when Cyrus Mahlor’s free kick forced Thomas Hadler to push it over the bar.

After this initial period Tonbridge woke up & up to half time were the dominant team without causing too many problems.

In a period from 20 minutes to 24 minute they had three half chances when first a corner into the 6 yard box was headed away for another corner then Alex Teniola on the right saw his low cross just evade the Flavio Tavares with the goal gaping & then Tavares & Ben King combined on the right leading to a low cross to the near post which was knocked out for a corner in the nick of time.

Half time arrived & both managers would probably have some harsh words for their players.

The second half started with Tonbridge carrying on where they left off & in the 49^th minute Dee Okojie on the left cut & his shot from 15 yards was saved by Billy Lumley.

Three minutes later the ball crossed low into the area found Tommy Whitnell but his shot was saved by Lumley. In the 62^nd minute Tonbridge nearly took the lead when King’s corner curled in & hit the crossbar, in the very next minute King headed over the bar from 6 yards.

The game changed in a matter of sixty seconds when in the 77^th minute Jack Parter on the overlap got to the by-line & his low cross caused confusion in the Billericay defence & from the resulting clearance Afolabi Obafemi was put clear & he ran into the area before passing sideways for Jacob Cleaver who from 12 yards slotted past Hadler.

This was against the run of play & now Tonbridge had to go gung ho to get something from this game. In the 84^th minute Okojie in midfield set Marvin Williams in & his curling shot was saved.

As Tonbridge were piling forward they were leaving gaps at the back & in the 89^th minute Cleaver was put through on goal but Hadler came out & blocked his shot with his legs.

The last chance of the game came in the 3^rd minute of added on time when James Folkes corner came back to him & his cross to the back post  was headed goalwards by Tom Parkinson but Lumley pushed it out & a almighty scramble occurred before being cleared & the final whistle went.

 

TONBRIDGE:

1. HADLER 2.  J.FOLKES  3. J.PARTER  4. L.CAREY (4)  5. L.BALL  6. N.CAMPBELL  7. C.PIPER (17)  8. T.PARKINSON
2. A.TENIOLA 10. T.WHITNELL (69)  11. D.OKOJIE

SUBS USED: 15. B.KING (4)  12. F.TAVARES (17)  16. M.WILLIAMS (69)

SUBS NOT USED: 14. J.SOBERS  17. E.MONTHE

BOOKINGS: 6. N.CAMPBELL (28)  5. L.BALL (47)

 

BILLERICAY TOWN:

1. LUMLEY 2. S.SHEEHAN  3. G.O’HANLON  4. C.MAHLOR  5. R.HALLE  6. R.SCOTT  7. R. MICAEL-PERCIL (75)
2. G.POOLE 9. A.OBAFEMI   10. L.NASH (62)  11. J.CLEAVER

SUBS USED; 15. J.EDWARDS (62)  16. N.FERGUSON (75)

SUB NOT USED 13. L.GODWIN-GREEN

BOOKINGS:  7. R.MICHAEL-PERCIL (42)  9. A.OBAFEMI (57)  5. R.HALLE (90)  1. B.LUMLEY (90+3)

 

REFEREE: Mr L.CROWHURST

ASSISTANTS: Mr J.HARDING  &   Mr C.DRYSDALE

ATTENDANCE: 398