Match Report: Tonbridge Angels 2 Dagenham and Redbridge 2
A bumper attendance of nearly 1,400 were treated to a Christmas cracker as both teams went headlong for the win but, in the end, had to settle for a deserved share of the points.
The Christmas festivities opened at the Yeomans Community Stadium with Christmas jumpers in evidence aplenty, a greeting from Santa Claus and then a pulsating match that provided rich entertainment.
Manager Alan Dunne reflected in his post-match interview: “I would probably have taken a draw before the game but, especially in the first half when we produced the best half of football since I’ve been here, we were outstanding and we ended up disappointed not to take the full complement of points.”
Dunney made three changes from the starting XI at Torquay United, with Noah McCann coming in for his debut following his loan move from Queens Park Rangers; Bunmi Babajide and, returning to the starting line-up for the first time this season, Sean Shields. Bradley Williams and Tobi Omole missed out with injuries whilst Alfie Pavey took a place on the bench.
The game opened at a rattling pace, that was to endure for the duration, with the Angels earning a first minute corner that saw a header from Matt Warren clear the bar. Dagenham then took up the reins with Timothee Dieng’s strike being deflected over quickly followed by a superb block from Arthur Penney to deny Joe Haigh.
But, it was the Angels that took an 11th minute lead, courtesy of a 25-yard strike from that man Shields, into the top corner that had Kai McKenzie-Lyle clawing at fresh air, despite his immense stature. A clearance from Laurie Shala was touched into the path of Shields by Babajide for Shields to advance before striking cleanly and taking the adulation of the Tonbridge support behind the goal.
The Angels had the ball in the net again on 18 minutes when a well-worked goal was chalked off as Tom Leahy had strayed narrowly into an offside position, at least in the opinion of the assistant referee, before finding the far bottom corner.
Dagenham responded and were deserving of their equaliser on 20 minutes when a cross from the right from Sam Graham was met with a bullet header from Stan Leech, of which, the absent Andy Carroll would have been proud.
Confidence, far from daunted, Tonbridge pressed on through the first half with Ricky Korboa, cutting in from the left to bring a good save at his near post by McKenzie-Lyle and Shields curling a shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box that just cleared the angle of the right-sided woodwork.
On 43 minutes, the Angels had a further goal disallowed as Ethan Sutcliffe headed home at the far post following a Kyle Smith cross, but the ball was deemed to have gone out of play before Smith made the cross.
The first half was nearing its frantic close when the home side retook the lead when McKenzie-Lyle’s attempted clearance was partially charged down by Babajide with the ball falling into the path of Shields, via a defender’s head, who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The play-off seeking visitors were back on terms within a couple of minutes of the restart when Dylan Stephenson cut in from the left to bury a really good finish into the bottom corner.
It has to be said that Dagenham showed their credentials in the second period and on 58 minutes it took a good save at his near post from Shala to deny Stephenson a second goal.
Tonbridge had their chances throughout the second period, mostly on the break, with a shot from Leahy that drifted agonisingly wide following a deflection and an effort from Korboa that was saved.
Dunney concluded: “I was really pleased that we have gone toe-to-toe with a club such as Dagenham. I felt we deserved the win but we can take a lot of positives out of the game. We can see a lot of improvement, we are making progress every week and I am really proud of that.”
Pictures: David Couldridge
