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Another lesson learned after Angels smash and grab - 27/8/07

Much coveted forward Jon Main broke United hearts at Longmead this Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, with the last minute strike that earned Tonbridge a scarcely deserved three points and victory by a single goal in the A21 derby. United were much the better side for the first seventy minutes of an intriguing contest, especially in the opening half when they kept Matt Reed's goal under concerted pressure and forced a string of corners. But they failed to turn their superiority into goals and paid a harsh price with barely twenty seconds left of the ninety minutes, as the Angels extended their unbeaten run over United to seven matches.

Injuries to striker Sam Adams and midfielder Tim Olorunda forced manager Nigel Kane into making two changes to the successful starting line-up that had seen off both Maidstone and Ashford. John Bradley came in to partner Ade Olorunda in attack, while Scott Kirkwood linked up with Lee Carey in the middle of the park. Elsewhere, Rhys Whyborne earned a recall in place of Kevin Rose at the heart of United's defence, while Dominic Cruttenden, David Henham and Brett Griffin all returned to the sixteen man squad. The free scoring Main was expected to carry the principal threat as far as the home side were concerned, while one-time United transfer target Steve Harper was selected alongside him up front. The Angels had been busy in the transfer market over the summer, signing Tommy Tyne from Dover, Anthony Storey from Lewes, and keeper Matt Reed when he dropped out of the professional ranks. Man mountain central defender Richard Harris would perhaps be the key influence on the contest however, continually keeping United at bay until his withdrawal through injury in the second half.

Although United went on to enjoy a dominant opening period, it was Tonbridge who created the first chance of the game, Ryan Martin's shot repelled by Rhys' crucial block. Thereafter, it was largely one-way traffic for a long spell, as United ran up a corner count in double figures, Russell going close with a shot from the edge of the area after Lee Carey cut one back to him, and Sean heading another straight at Reed. At the other end, a Martin free kick reached John Beales on the edge of the six yard box, but Main's flick distracted the defender who put a great opportunity wide. A keenly contested encounter threatened to boil over ten minutes before the interval, when Ade was first held back by Harris as he turned on halfway, before being chopped down by Robbie Kember's ugly tackle in front of the United dugout. Outfield players and substitutes converged for a typically angry melee, after which Kember was cautioned for his original foul, while Dominic and Storey were singled out for their parts in the ensuing squabble. Things settled down quickly after that, and the Angels finished the half strongly, with Harper and Main both going close in stoppage time, although United will have been disappointed not to have done more with their lion's share of the possession.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, at least for twenty-five minutes or so, United constantly probing but lacking a cutting edge up front, and Tonbridge occasionally looking dangerous but more frequently looking like a team still getting to know one another. Russell might have done better from Danny Spice's deep cross, before setting up Scott for United's best chance of the game, a right foot effort that was neatly tipped away by Reed. An enterprising break down the right by Danny Ellis should perhaps have yielded some reward as well, but John failed to read Danny's intentions as a low cross ran harmlessly along the edge of the six yard box. A double substitution galvanised the home side's efforts as the half wore on, while the introduction of Kevin and Tom for Rhys and Danny Spice may well have had the opposite effect on United's defence, which started to creak in the final quarter of the contest. A fine passing move involving Martin and Scott Kinch created a great chance for Tyne, but Lee Worgan reacted superbly to make his first save of note, and a simple flighted free kick by Storey found Kinch unmarked in the middle of the area, but he failed to appreciate the space available to him and glanced a backward header over the bar. Tyne then glanced a free header wide from Jon Heath's left wing cross and Lee had to be alert to gather Storey's chipped through ball ahead of Main. The predatory striker was to have the last laugh though, Russell losing possession on the edge of the Tonbridge penalty area, allowing Fraser Logan to launch a huge punt downfield, Kevin misjudging the flight of the ball, and Main scampering clear on goal to apply a cool finish to a classic route one move.

United's ill-deserved fate in Kent was in stark contrast to their capitulation in Essex nine days previously, but a defeat is a defeat and United will have to continue learning from each one that comes along. Clearly, dominating possession has never guaranteed success in football, and United's shortcomings in the depth of their attacking options is widely acknowledged, but Nigel Kane's side has already come a long way since that horrible start at New Lodge, and should approach Saturday's trip to take on Wealdstone at Harrow Borough's ground with confidence still intact.

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Tonbridge Angels (4-4-2)							Hastings United (4-4-2)
1 Matt Reed							1 Lee Worgan
2 Robbie Kember (c)							2 Danny Spice
3 Jon Heath							3 Jimmy Elford
4 Scott Kinch							4 Rhys Whyborne
5 Richard Harris							5 Sean Ray
6 John Beales							6 Lee Carey
7 Tommy Tyne							7 Danny Ellis
8 Anthony Storey							8 Scott Kirkwood
9 Steve Harper							9 Ade Olorunda
10 Jon Main							10 John Bradley
11 Ryan Martin							11 Russell Eldridge
Substitutes
12 Fraser Logan (for Harper 57)							12 Kevin Rose (for Whyborne 62)
14 James Donovan (for Harris 57)							14 Tom Cusden (for Spice 75)
15 Mike Cramp							15 Dominic Cruttenden (for Bradley 85)
16 Tony Dolby							16 David Henham
17 Kurt Husnu							17 Brett Griffin

Attendance 636

Referee Mr T Power (Stanmore)

Assistants Messrs T Beadle (Sevenoaks) & D Spain (St Leonards on Sea)