A week is a long time in football as last Saturday Tonbridge crashed out of the FA Cup with an insipid performance against lower league opposition while today they were a completely different team as they beat promotion favourites Dorking Wanderers.
Tonbridge had the managers words ringing in their ears and they came out of the blocks the quickest. In the 9th minute a Joe Turner Free kick to the back post saw Jerry O’Sullivan rise, his header beat Slavomir Huk but was cleared of the line, the ball ended up at Harry Hudson’s feet and his shot from 15 yards hit the sidenetting.
Dorking had their first half chance in the 16th minute when Josh Taylor in the area saw his shot go just wide, another glorious chance came in the 19th minute when a Niall McManus cross found James Tilley but his scuffed shot went wide of the post.
In the next minute Tonbridge took the lead when Craig Braham-Barrett on the left crossed into the area, 12 yards out on his own Doug Loft’s powerful header beat Huk.
Tonbridge were in heaven & in the 27th minute it was nearly two when Joe Turner latched onto a headed clearance, chested it down, his volley from 25 yards forced Huk to push it over the bar.
Dorking came back & in the 32nd minute a corner into the 6 yard box saw Barry Fuller head just wide, then in the 35th minute they stunned Tonbridge with an equaliser, a Luke Moore free kick into the area bounced around when Callum Kealy pounced and shot home from 6 yards.
This would test Tonbridge’s resolve but in the 43rd minute they took the lead when a corner to the back post found Tom Parkinson, his header beat Huk, now could they hold on to half time. Half time arrived, Steve McKimm would be happy and would want more from his side.
The second half was only 3 minutes old when Tonbridge scored again ans what a catastrophe it was for Huk, Loft’s corner was punched clear by Huk but Loft retrieved it, his cross was fumbled by Huk enabling the alert Ibrahim Olutade to smash home from 3 yards.
This completely rocked Dorking, in the 53rd minute they nearly got a goal back when James McShane on the edge of the area saw his cross shot just evade the post, in the very next minute Tonbridge had an opportunity to go further ahead when Tom Wood got to the by-line & his cross fell to Turner but under pressure his shot was easily saved.
For the rest of the game Dorking threw everything at Tonbridge but Tonbridge defended resolutely. In the 64th minute McShane got to the by-line & his cross was met by Matthew Briggs but Jon Henly saved it at the second attempt.
In the very next minute another defensive mistake by Dorking saw Olutade latch onto the ball & his shot from 20 yards went past the post. In the 73rd minute Taylor received the ball turned & from 25 yards Henly pushed it over the bar.
Three minutes later a lovely through ball saw Briggs running onto it but Henly came out, his block tackle outside the area saw it cleared. In the 87th minute Dorking should have scored when Taylor in the area saw his shot from 10 yards go past the post.
In the 89th minute Briggs running across the 18 yard area saw his shot go over the bar. The referee indicated four minutes of added on time and it was a little nervous for Tonbridge but they survived that & fully deserved the victory with every player playing their part.
Tonbridge Angels:
- J.Henly 2. J.O’sullivan 3. C.Barham-Barrett 4. T.Parkinson 5. S.Miles 6. H.Hudson
7. D.Loft (63) 8. A.Lovett 9. T.Wood (77) 10. I.Olutade (74) 11. J.Turner
Subs Used: 12, Z.Guerfi 17. A.Smith-Joseph (74) 14. T.Hanfrey (77)
Subs Not Used: 15. T.Mckimm 16. B.Moore
Bookings: 6. H.Hudson (34)
Dorking Wanderers:
- S.Huk 3. B.Joe Taylor 5. E.Harris. 20. D.Gallagher (45) 17. J.Taylor 29. C.Kealy
30. J.Tilley (62) 18. L.Moore (62) 6. N.Mcmanus 22. B.Fuller 11. J.Mcshane
Subs Used: 15. K.Wills (45) 7.J.Muitt (62) 8. M.Briggs (62)
Subs Not Used: 4. S.El-Abd 16. N.Wheeler
Bookings: 18. L.Moore (43) 5. E.Harris (49) 3. B.Joe Taylor (88)
Referee: Mr O.Mackay
Assistants: Mr J.Aldous & Mr J.Mckay
Att: 682