Despite a hugely entertaining game with the lead changing regularly, Tonbridge Angels were restricted to one point after a 3-3 draw with Needham Market.
The Angels came into their third game of the season with three points, having won their opening game of the season before losing in a tight midweek against Grays Athletic.
Steve McKimm made two changes from the 3-2 defeat Lee Carey replaced Tom Phipp in central midfield whilst Luke Blewden was brought in for Tommy Whitnell as Nathan Elder’s strike partner.
Tonbridge faced a newly promoted Needham Market side who were yet to win a game, having drawn one and lost one in their opening two games of the season, despite scoring in both games.
Within the opening four minutes of the game the hosts had their first goalscoring opportunity when Tom Parkinson headed over after a corner from Nick Wheeler.
Despite their early pressure the Angels nearly went behind soon after when, after skilfully working his way through their defence, Sam Newson put a left footed shot towards goal which Jerrome Sobers was able to bravely block for a corner which was swiftly cleared.
Moments later however, the visitors were able to take the lead in controversial fashion when Ollie Fenn’s header steered a free kick from the left wing towards goal, Tom Parkinson looked to clear the ball off the line but despite his best efforts, the assistant referee deemed the ball to have crossed the line, giving Needham Market a tenth minute lead.
Their advantage only lasted for six minutes as Tonbridge looked to force their way back into the game and they were successful when they broke down a Needham Market attack, allowing Parkinson to find Charlie Webster on the right wing who put a cross towards the far post, allowing Nathan Elder to cushion the ball for Luke Blewden to hit a looping header over Shaun Philips for a quick equaliser.
The scoring opportunities from wide positions continued, and the visitors nearly regained their lead soon after the game was levelled. Adam Mill’s corner was well punched away by Anthony Di Bernado, but he didn’t see Luke Ingram lurking at the edge of the area, the midfielder was able to get the ball out of his feet with one touch before stinging the hands of the goalkeeper with the next.
Tonbridge pushed on, looking for a way through to lead as the game progressed. Jack Parter’s driving run opened up spaces in the Market defence before pulling the ball back out to Nick Wheeler who picked out Blewden who forced a save out of Phillips. From the resulting corner Tom Parkinson leaped highest and forced a powerful header past the goalkeeper to complete the turnaround.
The hosts continued to control the game, but were kept out by a sturdy, physical Needham Market defence who successfully limited any further damage until half time.
With no substitutions being made at half time, the second half began as the first ended, with Tonbridge forcing the best of their visiting defence. Nathan elder headed inches wide early in the half after a cross from Blewden, but with their opponents looking for a way back into the game they needed to remain tight at the back as their search for a third goal went on.
They were unable to do this, however. Eight minutes into the second half Jerrome Sobers was caught in possession in his own half allowing Adam Mills and Sam Newson to run at the remaining defender. Mills calmly pushed the ball across to his team mate who did well to cut onto his left foot and slide a low effort past Di Bernado to make it 2-2.
Nathan Elder’s physicality was still troubling the visiting defence and just three minutes after Newson scored his sides second, his opposite number came close again, winning an aerial challenge and nodding Wheeler’s corner just wide.
With time running out, both sides search for a winning goal seemed to become more desperate in their search for three points, Nathan Elder headed wide again on seventy minutes before Needham Market pushed on for their first win since being awarded promotion.
They got their chance soon after when a corner was cleared, allowing Sam Newson to hit a shot which Jerrome Sobers was forced to block with his arm, giving The Marketmen a chance to score a third. Kem Izzet stepped up to take the spot kick and the experienced midfielder sent Di Bernado the wrong way, giving his side a 3-2 lead with time running out.
The game wasn’t over, however, and Tonbridge looked to prove this with another spell of pressure, beginning with a counter attack where Nick Wheeler’s effort was bravely blocked by Ollie Fenn before Tom Parkinson headed over from the resulting corner.
The Angel’s pressure was rewarded with just five minutes remaining when further pressure forced Needham’s Joe Wright to hurry a cross from the right away, the ball only fell as far as Wheeler who cut inside onto his stronger right foot and powered a shot past Phillips, making the game level for the third time that afternoon.
The final chance of the game fell to the visitors when, with just two minutes left a powerful run from Ollie Brown gave the substitute a chance to win the game for his side but, after beating the goalkeeper, he was unable to convert from a tight angle in his position on the right wing, meaning that the two teams deservedly shared the points at full time.
Tonbridge will now look forward to a short trip to Herne Bay in the league cup on Tuesday with their next league game coming on Saturday against unbeaten Bognor Regis Town. The Angels sit in 11th after this point and have still not won at home since they beat Fisher FC 5-0 in a friendly late in July.
Tonbridge Angels: Di Bernado, Folkes, Parter, Parkinson, Sobers, Miles, Webster (Ball), Carey, Elder, Blewden (Pearson), Wheeler
Subs not used: Phipp, Johnson, Milham
Needham Market: Phillips, Fenn, Coakley, Morphew (Pelling), Hogg, Whight, Ingram, Izzet, Newson (Smith), Duguid, Mills (Brown)
Subs not used: Nunn, Bradbrook