Tonbridge Angels 0 Maidstone United 2
Angels failed in their quest to lift the Kent Senior Cup for the first time since 1975 after going down two nil to Maidstone United in the final at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium.
Goals from Hamzad Kargbo and Riley Court were enough to give George Elokobi’s men the victory in a game which became increasingly tetchy as the second half progressed before erupting into an unsightly mass brawl at the death which resulted in Angels’ striker Alfie Pavey being sent off for an incident involving Stones ‘keeper Nathan Harness.
Referee Dan Blades struggled to keep the lid on a game which always had the potential to reach boiling point and which finally erupted beyond his control.
On 80 minutes Blades had sent off Maidstone left back Leo Hamblin after an off-the-ball incident with Angels’ substitute Tom Leahy which had infuriated the ex-Maidstone man and was the precursor to what followed.
In an even first half, with Angels kicking towards the uncovered Brian Moore stand, both sides enjoyed spells of possession.
Angels best chance arrived on 24 minutes when the ball fell to skipper Jordon Thompson on the edge of the box but his blistering drive was finger-tipped away by Harness diving at full stretch.
Interesting sub-plots at either end saw Angels striker Frankie Baker and Stones giant centre back Lexus Beeden battling for supremacy while Ethan Sutcliffe did brilliantly to keep the dangerous Jamie Yila at bay, but always had his work cut out.
Towards the end of the first half, two chances fell to Stones but neither Kargbo or John Gilbert could keep their efforts down.
Elokobi’s men struck early in the second half when a Court corner was not dealt with and Kargbo span to force the ball past Matt Rowley.
On the hour, Angels boss Alan Dunne rolled the dice and replaced Baker and Matty Warren with Leahy and Scott Wagstaff which preceded what looked like a decent penalty shout for Angels which referee Blades waved away.
The lively Court then drew a fine save from Rowley before Kyle Smith replaced Tobi Omole and Marcus Sablier replaced Ricky Korboa.
Blades sent Hamblin off after he appeared to punch Leahy in the penalty box after which Angels surged forward to try and make the extra man count.
After Naz Bakrin replaced Brad Williams, Smith produced a quality cross but Bakrin couldn’t get his header on target.
Then a chance fell to Bailey Akehurst on the edge of the box but his shot flew high into the seats in the Rainham End.
Kargbo and Court both had chances to make it two before Angels conceded a free kick on the edge of the box.
The highly-rated Court stepped up and planted it past Rowley to make it two and seal the victory.
After which, to use footballing parlance, it all ‘kicked off.’ Harness appeared to approach Pavey and goad him into a reaction. Pavey appeared to oblige leaving Harness on the ground in a crumpled heap.
Cue mayhem as players from both sides pushed and shoved. Punches were thrown and several players had to be dragged away as Blades showed Pavey red.
These were ugly scenes and resulted in a particularly fractious atmosphere around Priestfield as the final whistle blew.
After the game Angels boss Alan Dunne said: “It wasn’t to be our night and congratulations to Maidstone. In the first half there wasn’t much in it but it was a poor goal to concede by us at the start of the second half. Then we threw everything at it and the boys gave me everything but we just couldn’t get that goal I thought we deserved. But I’m really proud of the boys.”
Asked about the rumpus at the end, Dunne added: “It was unacceptable. It wasn’t right and we don’t want it. Look, we want there to be an edge, it’s a derby and two teams trying to win a game but it was disappointing to be fair and something I need to look into.”
Angels: Rowley, Sutcliffe, Thompson (cap), Omole (Smith), Akehurst, Williams (Bakrin), Warren (Wagstaff), Korboa (Sablier), Babajide, Pavey, Baker (Leahy),
Photographs by Dave Couldridge
