Tonbridge Angels lost this match through a controversial refereeing decision which confused not only the players but the spectators.
This result pushes Tonbridge down to third, but it could have been better if they hadn’t had a penalty saved.
The first half belonged to Tonbridge as they took control of possession & chances. In the 4th minute Tonbridge thought they had taken the lead when a Michael West free kick into the area saw Alex Read shoot in but he was given offside.
In the 15th minute Jarod Small went down the right wing before crossing low to the near post Joe Turner arrived there & his side foot effort was deflected away for a corner. Five minutes later Worthing had their first half chance when Darren Budd eventually got onto it & from 25 yards saw his shot go well over the bar.
In the 24th minute West passed into the path of Small but Sam Rents fouled him in the area to concede a penalty, up stepped Read & his low shot was saved by Kleton Pentreou, they would go on & regret this miss. Two minutes later Tom Parkinson chipped through for Turner who controlled it & saw his shot saved by Pentreou for a corner.
Tonbridge finally got the goal they deserved in the 43rd minute when West on the right saw his cross to the back post stabbed home by Turner. The half time whistle went & Steve McKimm must have been mighty relieved after seeing his side dominate the game.
The second half started as the first finished with Tonbridge creating a chance in the 47th minute when Tom Beere saw his shot from 25 yards deflected for a corner. In the next minute the contentious decision came when a Budd shot from 20 yards seemed to hit James Folkes hand & a penalty was given but Folkes got his marching orders which was really contentious & would change the match.
After waiting 4 minutes James Crane stepped up & stroked it straight down the middle. From now to the end Worthing suddenly controlled the game & although it took a bit of time Worthing got their second & winner in the 78th minute when a low cross into the area was stabbed home by Healy.
In the 85th minute with time ticking down Healy fouled Adem Ramadan right by the Tonbridge corner flag & received his second yellow card so had to make the walk of shame.
The Referee in his infinite wisdom added 8 more minutes to the game giving Tonbridge a glimmer of hope but they couldn’t muster another chance so they have now lost their last two home games.
Tonbridge will lick their wounds after today knowing a crazy decision probably cost them the game but now go to Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday night hoping to get back to winning ways.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS:
- HENLY 2. J.FOLKES 3. L.SMITH 4. M.WEST 5. S.MILES 6. A.LEE 7. J.SMALL (83) 8. T.PARKINSON 9. A.READ (64) 10. T.BEERE (83) 11. J.TURNER.
SUBS USED: 15. A.RAMADAN (64) 14. T.WHITNELL (83) 12. C.STONE (83).
SUBS NOT USED: NONE
BOOKINGS: 6. A.LEE (5) 10. T.BEERE (59)
SENT OFF: 2. J.FOLKES (48)
WORTHING:
- PENTREOU 2. J.CRANE 3. S.RENTS 4. D.BUDD 5. W.MILES 6. D.BARKER 7. A.PARSONS 8. J.CLARKE 9. R.MYLES-MEEKUMS (90+6) 10. R.AGULAR (32) 11. J STARKEY.
SUBS USED: 15. C.HEALY (32) 14. J.RANCE (90+6)
SUBS NOT USED: 16. H.SKERRY
BOOKINGS: 10. R.AGULAR (20) 15. C.HEALY (41, 85)
SENT OFF: 15. C.HEALY (85)
REFEREE: Mr E.KAYE
ASSISTANTS: Mr E.MALAVECI & Mr P.SRATTON
ATTENDANCE: 440