Tonbridge Angels 0 Maidenhead United 1
“Football can be a cruel game.”
That was the immediate reaction of Angels boss Alan Dunne as his side were undone by a classic sucker-punch which gave Maidenhead United a win even some of their own officials graciously described as ‘robbery.’
On a night when pre-match rainfall of almost biblical proportions doubtless deterred many, the majority of those who did attend were left pondering how Angels got nothing from the game.
While The Magpies were happy to head back to Berkshire with three points, Tonbridge were profligate, spurning several excellent chances to win the game which came alive in the second period following an insipid first 45 in which neither side failed to find any real rhythm.
The winner came with only seconds remaining of the four additional minutes added on by referee Will Briers, who awarded the visitors a free-kick on the left hand side.
Ex Angel Josh Popoola swung the ball in and there was Matt Robinson to head the ball past Laurie Shala to send the scattering of travelling fans into ecstasy.
There was barely time for Angels to kick-off before Briers blew for full time.
It could have been so different had Angels taken several good chances which fell their way.
On 22, skipper Jordon Thompson forced a low save from towering Magpies ‘keeper Jordi Van Stappershoef and then on 30, a left-footed shot from Tom Leahy struck the base of the upright and bounced off Van Stappershoef for a corner.
Six minutes later, Frankie Baker played in Ricky Korboa who shot over from just inside the box when a ball to the onrushing Leahy looked a better option.
On 51 Korboa slalomed into The Magpies box forcing another save but there was no blue shirt around to win the second ball.
On the hour, Dunne brought on Sean Shields for Bunmi Babajide which was followed by another great opportunity for Angels.
A calamitous Maidenhead mix-up at the back saw the ball fall to Baker who could see the empty goal gaping but a last ditch sliding challenge from Manny Onariase saw his shot deflect on to a post.
Two minutes later it was the visitors who went perilously close when Josh Umerah slammed a free-kick against the bar.
In short order, Dunne brought on Ansu Janneh for Matty Warren, Bailey Akehurst for Naz Bakrin and Alfie Pavey for Baker as he tried to find a formula to nab the elusive goal.
With Maidenhead also ringing the changes, the final quarter became akin to basketball with both sides taking turns to press forward.
On 84, Magpies sub Sam Barratt stung Shala’s hands with a fierce snap shot while at the other end, Shields pirouetted in the box but his left foot shot went just wide.
In time added on, a glorious chance fell to Leahy who was six yards out. As the old saying goes, you might have put your mortgage on him scoring but somehow the lofty Van Stappershoef got down low to make a remarkable save.
This was followed by Robinson’s late winner, a body-blow from which Dunne’s men were unable to recover.
Dunne said afterwards: “We weren’t great in the first half which was very patchy. In the second half we were better and created some good chances. We had a great opportunity to score right at the end, we didn’t, and then a minute later the ball’s in our net after we conceded a free-kick which I thought was soft.
“We’re gutted. You don’t always get what you deserve in football but if you don’t put the ball in the back of the net you always leave yourself open to that one chance and that’s what’s happened tonight.”
