Hume: We had the Edge over Tonbridge

After striker Meshach Nugent struck the woodwork inside the opening minute, Tonbridge Angels raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening thirty minutes, courtesy of John Westcott and Carl Rook - but the Stones turned the game on it’s head, during a dominant second half.

Nugent, who impressed on his return following a successful loan spell one division lower at Croydon Athletic, pulled a goal back after 51 minutes - after Elliot Bradbrook and Jay Saunders both struck the bar - and despite having James Pinnock sent off for two bookable offences - the Stones punished the Angels for switching off immediately after an off-the-pitch incident to claim a deserved point, through Roland Edge’s 80^th minute header.

Hume, who was without first-choice central defenders, Ian Cox (work) and Ben Lewis (suspended), was clearly happier than his Tonbridge Angels counterpart, Tommy Warrilow.

“It was an exciting second half to be honest, and it was a typical derby game right throughout,” Hume told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We should’ve scored really in the first 30 seconds when he hit the post, and to be fair to them they had the lions share in the first half.

“There was a fairly strong wind blowing towards our goal, but we had another good chance in the first half but Pinno (Pinnock) should’ve scored, but unfortunately we went behind and we conceded two sloppy goals, goals we warned our players about.

“At half-time we were disappointed, but we felt we could get back in it and we got a goal back and we still had eleven players on the pitch.

“I thought we had every chance of going on and at least getting the draw, if not getting the three points.

“But unfortunately we then lost a player, so we had to play the last 25 minutes with ten men, which made it very hard.

“We also hit the bar twice and I thought perhaps it’s not going to be our day and then ten minutes before the end, Roland Edge doesn’t score many goals, but he’s scored a couple of important ones in the last few weeks and he got a point for us, which is fantastic.”

The 29-year-old former Gillingham, Hibernian, Hull City and Folkestone Invicta player isn’t renowned for his prowess in front of goal - and many thought debutant loan signing, Peter Hawkins, had scored the equaliser.

But Hume was in no doubt that Edge had scored his second goal of the season.

“I can’t take that (goal) away from him - he hardly scores,” said Hume. “I don’t want to take any credit away from him, he battled really hard.”

Hume was pleased that his side matched their local rivals in a game that was the proverbial game of two halves.

“Tonbridge are a very good side, they’re well organised, hard to break down and the fact that we only had ten-men and we came out on top was a credit to them (our players) and even at the end I thought if anyone would go and nick something, it would’ve been us,” insisted Hume.

“But unfortunately we didn’t get that, we got a point, but we’ve got to take that away from home against a very good side.

“Tom’s got a very good side, got them playing well, they’re well organised, strong, physical and they play football, which is what you need at this level. So I’m delighted to get something - I definitely think we deserved it.”

Hume was pleased with Hawkins’ debut, having unveiled him on the eve of the day, on a month’s loan from Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet United. 

The 30-year-old partnered James Peacock, 19, at the heart of the Stones attack.

“He’s experience was vital in the centre of defence and we’re delighted to have a player of his quality,” expressed Hume.

“Hopefully we can keep him for this month, which we’ve got him for, and perhaps until the end of the season.

“He’ll certainly be a very good addition to our squad. People ask why we don’t bring players in, it’s hard to find players better than what you’ve got, but certainly Peter adds something to the squad, rather than just equalling it or taking something away.”

The Stones, in sixth place in the Ryman Premier League table, are now four points adrift of Carshalton Athletic, who occupy the last play-off berth.

“We’ve got some tough games all around,” admitted Hume. “We’ve got Carshalton coming up, Staines coming up, we’re playing all the teams around so, so it’s vitally important you don’t lose things.

“If you can have a six-pointer this early in the season against teams like Tonbridge, you certainly would’ve had we not got something back there. They would’ve gone three points further away from us and that would’ve been hard to track back.

“It’s important against these top teams to get at least a draw.”

Hume takes his side to struggling Harlow Town on Tuesday night, a side that are third from bottom, two points from safety and the same spirited qualities would be just fine.

He added: “That brings a little bit of belief back into the side, because we were poor against Hastings in our last outing. The boys are all very buoyant in the dressing room and we’re looking forward to the next game.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game, via Mike Green.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Harlow Town v Maidstone United
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 20^th January 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Barrows Farm Stadium, Off Elizabeth Way, The Pinnacles, Harlow, Essex CM19 5BL