Match Report:
Tonbridge Angels 2 Dorking Wanderers 2
Tonbridge Angels will be rueing a missed opportunity to put an elusive home win on the board after dominating a depleted Dorking Wanderers side on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
Manager Alan Dunne reflected in his post-match interview: “We have dominated the game, if we could have put our chances away, in the last four or five games, we would probably be in the top six, and that is the difference. Tactically we got it right, but if you don’t put the ball in the net you leave yourselves open and, at the moment, we can’t put the ball in the net enough.”
Three changes were made from the side beaten on Tuesday evening by Eastbourne Borough with club captain Scott Wagstaff and Bailey Akehurst being recalled with new loan signing from Millwall, Frankie Baker introduced into the starting XI with Matty Warren and Brody Peart taking places on the bench.
The game entered the break all-square courtesy of a 44th minute penalty converted by Bailey Akehurst after good work from Frankie Baker that saw him upended in the box by Tony Craig. Tonbridge had totally dominated the opening half but had fallen behind on 11 minutes when an error from Ethan Sutcliffe saw Charlie Carter sprint clear before laying the ball across the area to give Patrick Casey an unmissable opportunity.
From the outset it was the Angels that were on the front foot with Ricky Korboa shooting into the side netting after four minutes before going behind.
The home responded positively with Baker’s pace giving the Dorking defenders plenty to think about. Kyle Smith brought a save out of the visiting goalkeeper, Harrison Foulkes and, on 22 minutes, from an Akehurst corner, Arthur Penney climbed highest but his header drifted narrowly wide.
Foulkes made a terrific save at his near post to deny Baker and just past the half-hour a heavy touch from Tom Leahy denied him a chance in front of goal.
In the meantime, Laurie Shala was brought into action, saving well from Dennon Lewis.
Dorking opened the second period with a great chance falling to Jake Lawrence that brought a fine stop from Shala with the rebound going over. The visitors restored their lead on 68 minutes, against the run of play, when an effort from Casey was cleared from the line by Naz Bakrin, but the ball span backwards for James McShane to bundle home.
The lead was only to last five minutes before the Angels were level when a corner led to an almighty scramble within the six yard box that saw efforts from Bakrin and substitute Alfie Pavey blocked before Leahy seized upon the loose ball to side-foot into the net from close range.
The Angels pressed hard for a winner and as the game entered its final seconds of six added minutes, appeals for a penalty was denied by the referee as the ball struck the hand, at full stretch above his head, of Dorking defender, Dan Gallagher.
Alan Dunne concluded: “I’m disappointed because I feel it is two points dropped and disappointed with the goals conceded, but before the game, with Dorking, one of the top sides, I would have taken a point.”
Pictures: David Couldridge
