Chatham O50 1-1 Angels O50
Tonbridge visited Chatham on Monday night, their last away game of the season. This was our first visit to Chatham and although the Bar area was impressive the lighting on the pitch was dreadful.
The team were looking to keep their 3 match unbeaten run going but were up against a team well placed in the league and one that had beaten us at home 3-1 in the first game of the season.
Keep it tight, ball to feet etc were the instructions on a very small pitch and from the whistle Tonbridge took command of the game. Good communication was evident, especially from Andy Goodall in Centre Midfield who was directing our team, the ref and anyone else who would listen to him. The opposition, to be fair, defended well as a unit and kept Tonbridge out for the first half, leaving it 0-0 at half time.
The home team came out for the second half with more attacking thoughts pressing Tonbridge back. Again, it became a battle with both teams trying to break down the other’s resolve. Tonbridge had a run of 6 corners, one after another, but nothing came of them.
With 6 minutes to go the stalemate was broken by Chatham. A poor pass from Tonbridge resulted in the Chatham forward finding himself unmarked and he slotted past Mark Cornish. A few weeks ago we would have struggled to get the game back but the new belief in this team shone through, and we forced the home team to concede a penalty with two minutes to go for a fourth run. This was our chance and Dave Norris, our newly introduced substitute, stepped up to take the spot kick against a big keeper, to draw us level.
The game ended 1-1. A fair result given the way the game was played but Tonbridge know they have missed an opportunity.
Our last game of the season is Saturday Morning 28/2/26 at home to Insulators 10am kick off.
Report from Craig Knowles
David Norris, Mark Mason, Craig Knowles, Andy Goodall, Mark Cornish
Front Row left to right
Alan Weber, Will Burns, Karl Day, Jason Orchard
