K Sports 2-2 Tunbridge Wells - I'm not going to be disappointed about missed chances or penalty misses but I thought we were probably worthy of a win, says K Sports boss Barry Morgan

K Sports 2 – 2 Tunbridge Wells
Location	Cobdown Sports & Social Club, Station Road, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AU
Kickoff	02/08/2021 19:45

K SPORTS  2-2  TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Monday 2 August 2021
Stephen McCartney reports from Cobdown

K SPORTS’ manager Barry Morgan says he’s feeling proud of his players’ after claiming a point against promotion candidates Tunbridge Wells but refused to rue his impressive side missing two penalties in a game that they should have won.

The Paperboys beat newly-promoted Holmesdale 1-0 on the opening day of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division season and climbed to the summit at this early stage.

Tunbridge Wells took the lead against fellow promotion candidates Sheppey United at Culverden Stadium before losing the game 3-1 and are in eleventh-place in the table tonight after grabbing a late equaliser here at Cobdown.

The Wells had their goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton to thank as he saved a penalty in each half to ensure his side came away from Aylesford with their first point on the board.

The Paperboys took the lead through Kane Butler’s near-post finish just 90 seconds into the second half before Tunbridge Wells’ Jordan Wells notched with a 35-yard screamer.

Michael Oshan came up from left-back to prod the home side back into the lead following a set-piece before Tunbridge Wells’ centre-half Harry Hudson headed in -  but it could have been so much more for K Sports after Lee-Wharton saved superbly to prevent Victor Aiyelabola and then Ian Batten scoring from the spot.

“I’m not going to be greedy,” said Morgan, following his second game in charge of the club after being out of the game since leaving his role as Rochester United’s manager in December 2018.

“I think we did play well tonight but it’s a point against one of the sides that’s going to be quoted near the top of the league at the end of the season, so I can’t complain.

“I think we played some decent football tonight for a new team.  The old philosophy is probably still there from the Sheppey days that we’re going to try to play football in the right way.”

For Tunbridge Wells manager Richard Styles, the disappointment was evident.

He said: “It’s not a win. We wanted to win today. We wanted to come here and get the three points and it’s disappointing to come away with one.

“I know we’re two games in. It will fall into place. I won’t say there’s something missing, I just say we’re not getting the rub of the green in certain areas and certain things. You go through patches like this in football, playing, managing and coaching and we’re having one of them at the moment.

“We were unfortunate against Sheppey on Saturday not to come in at half-time to be two or three up.  Second half was something different and then today first half we were doing alright, we were getting in areas and putting crosses into the box.”

Tunbridge Wells created the first opening inside the opening six minutes when pacey right-winger Regan Corke released Jordan Wells through down the right-hand side of the penalty area and his angle drive from 15-yards forced home goalkeeper Charlie Walker into diving low to his right to grab hold of the ball to prevent the ball nestling into the bottom far corner.

“The lad is doing well. He’s only young. He’s come to us, needs to play games and fingers crossed he carries on improving. He wants to be here, he wants to play, he needs game time and hopefully we can keep giving him that,” said Morgan.

Tunbridge Wells’ left-back James Nurden found himself in a right-back position by the time he slid in to foul K Sports striker Isaac Bignell inside the penalty area and referee Kieran Cox pointed to the spot and booked Nurden.

Left-winger Aiyelabola stroked his right-footed penalty towards the bottom right-hand corner but was denied when Lee-Wharton stooped down beside the post to block the shot with his knees and then reacted swiftly to use a strong hand to push George Batten’s follow-up around the post to prevent the away side taking an eighth minute lead.

Morgan said: “Great save! What do you do? Listen, I’m not going to complain about penalty misses. You only have got to look at England in the European Championships. I thought both penalties, their goalkeeper did a magnificent job. They weren’t little chips that have just missed, they were decent penalties that the keeper saved, so I’m not complaining about that.”

Styles added: “That’s why he’s there! That’s probably why he’s the best keeper in this league because he’s got that ability.  From where I stood it looked like a penalty so I haven’t really got any complaints about that. He’s earnt his money there that’s for sure.”

Corke was a threat during the first half-an-hour down the right for Tunbridge Wells and he cut inside before playing the ball into Josh Froggatt’s feet but his sweeping shot from 22-yards took a deflection as it flashed past the far post.

Tunbridge Wells started to force the issue around the half-hour mark but attempts on goal from Jordan Johnson and substitute midfielder Miles Cornwell  and Froggatt from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.

Both sides were playing tippy-tappy football on the deck without much end product in the final third – until the 40^th minute when Lee-Wharton pulled off a flying save.

K Sports striker Bignell was released down the left-channel and he cut the ball back to Aiyelabola, whose left-footed cross from 35-yards curled towards the top far corner of the net and the goalkeeper flew high to his left to push the ball away.

Morgan said: “A great save. He’s done well Aaron tonight. He has pulled off some saves.  From my point of view, ok, all the time the goalkeeper is pulling off great saves like he was tonight, we’re doing something right. 

“I’m not going to be disappointed about missed chances or penalty misses. I know we’re doing the right things and if we carry on doing that and we get fitter, we could probably only improve.”

Styles added: “I don’t know if he was trying to cross it or if he took it too well, I’m not sure if he meant that but Aaron got to it. I think Aaron made it looked a bit more comfortable than what it was.”

Tunbridge Wells’ striker Matt Gething endured a frustrating night on his return to his old club but he bulldozed his way through the heart of the defence, leaving K Sports right-back Kwasi Amoah on his backside before rounding the goalkeeper and smashing his shot into the side-netting from a very tight angle.

“He was unfortunate. With the work that he did with that one, he probably deserved a goal,” added Styles.

“You get things like that coming to your own club and bits and pieces like that. He had a tough night. It is what it is. You get tough nights like that.”

Thankfully, the second half was more exciting than the first.

K Sports took the lead just 90 seconds into the second half when Bignell drove into the penalty area down the right-hand side and put it on a plate for Butler, who plays just behind him. Butler took a touch and smashed his shot into the bottom right-hand corner from six-yards.

Morgan said: “I was really, really pleased with our shape but that’s what I emphasised in the dressing room and I actually said to them, ‘listen, they’re a bit wary of you,’ keep passing, keep playing and we did and we gained confidence and we thought that was good.

“That goal was good from the very beginning of that move. I want the boys to move the ball, I want them to enjoy their football. If you can play football like that and you’ve got an end product, happy days.”

Styles added: “We were happy at half-time. We were comfortable. It’s just a case of doing a couple of bits in the changing room and then getting us ready for the second half, to put the emphasise a little bit on them and hopefully score the first goal.

“It was very annoying to concede after 90 seconds. I can say whatever you want in the changing room but then to do that 90 seconds after it kills it really and it left us with everything to do.”

Jordan Wells won a crunching challenge inside the K Sports half before rolling the ball on the outside to right-back Frankie Griffin, who unleashed a goal-bound right-footed drive from 30-yards, forcing Walker into diving to his right to push around the post.

Styles added: “Frankie’s got that. He’s got that in his bag and he really needs to do that more because he has got that. He’s more than capable of getting two or three of them a season. It was a good save from the keeper but good to have a chance on their keeper.”

But Walker could do nothing about Tunbridge Wells’ 54^th minute equaliser, however, when Froggatt played the ball inside to Wells, who cracked a stunning right-footed drive past the diving keeper into the top right-hand corner from a central position some 35-yards from goal.

Styles said: “Hell of a strike – that’s up there with contender for goal of the season already! What a strike He couldn’t hit it any better if he tried. Absolutely a great strike and certainly what Wells’ is capable off for sure.”

Morgan added: “He smashed it didn’t he. He did well. He kept it down well, no complaints. Charlie couldn’t have got it. I don’t think Peter Shilton (England goalkeeper between 1970-1990 with 125 caps) would have got to that one, if anyone remembers Peter Shilton.”

Oshan’s out-swinging corner from the right was met on the edge of the penalty area by centre-half Segun Ikudehinbu, which was comfortably caught by the visiting goalkeeper, but the game had a feeling that it would end in a draw at that point in the contest.

However, K Sports had a great opportunity to clinch the victory in the 66^th minute when Tunbridge Wells’ centre-half Robbie Bissett cut across Butler inside the right-hand side of the penalty area and brushed him aside and referee Cox awarded a soft penalty.

Ian Batten’s right-footed penalty was drilled towards the top left-hand corner and Lee-Wharton dived to his right and used a strong outstretched left hand to push the ball over the crossbar - on a night when higher-league suitors will be interested in his services if he maintains outstanding performances like this one.

Morgan said: “It was an amazing save. Listen, Victor’s got the hump because we didn’t let hm take the second one but I think it was in. I couldn’t believe the save, like Inspector Gadget wasn’t he?  What can you do? I’m not going to moan about penalty saves. We’ve done something good to get the penalty.”

George and Ian Batten are two central midfielders and Morgan praised them and their watching father Ernie (Sheppey United’s manager) in helping him build a team from scratch without a penny in playing budget.

“I’ve helped my mate Ernie at Sheppey for the best part of four years and they (K Sports) asked me if I’d come and have a go. I was a bit fortunate that the Battens wanted to get back into football.  They’ve tracked players down for me. I ain’t no good on social media and they’ve done all this.  They’ve worked hard to put a team together and they’ve helped me no end.”

When asked his thoughts on the decision, Styles said: “I think it’s a disgraceful decision! I don’t think it’s a penalty at all from where I stood and the people I’ve spoken to, not a penalty.

“I think the ref’s gone on the call more than the actual challenge.  Robbie’s one of the best defenders in this league and there’s no way he’s put himself in there and diving in.  It’s not a penalty, it’s not a penalty, obviously justice was served.

“Thankfully from Aaron, I can’t speak highly enough of him. What a hell of a save, when called upon he’s so reliable – great save!

“I want to try to keep hold of him but he’s a great lad and he’s been brilliant ever since we’ve had him.”

However, K Sports scored from the resulting corner, taking a deserved lead with 68 minutes on the clock, via an unlikely source.

Oshan took five of K Sports seven corners tonight but this time it was Aiyelabola who swung in the corner from the left and the ball fell at the feet of Oshan who poked the ball into the bottom right-hand corner at the back stick to give the hosts a deserved lead.

“I didn’t expect him to put it in the net but he did,” admitted Morgan.

“Michael’s been a bonus for us really. He came late (into pre-season). He needed to get fit and he’s worked hard to lose weight, he needed to lose a bit of weight. I thought he did a great job against Regan Corke because this kid (Corke) is a running machine and he kept him at bay for pretty much most of the game.”

K Sports were an impressive outfit here tonight with pacey wingers in Timileyen Babington (left) and Aiyelabola (right) and they played an attractive brand of watchable football here tonight.

Morgan said:  “We’ve got a bit of pace and we’ve got the ability to get it out there. Quite often you can have pace and they’re not getting the ball but we’ve got the ability.”

Reflecting on the second goal, Styles added: “Not happy with that one! Poor from us switching off. Our keeper has just pulled out a penalty saved and got us out of jail and then we switch off from a corner and concede.  I was absolutely fuming with that one and having got ourselves out of jail to get back into the game to then concede again, I’m spitting feathers in the dug-out.”

Styles brought on left-winger Euan Sahadow and he whipped in a deep cross from the left-channel which was stabbed towards goal by Corke at the far post, forcing Walker to dive to his left to push the ball out of harms reach.

The home managers son, Max Morgan, a substitute, could have won it when he was put through on goal but Lee-Wharton dived to his right to push the angled drive around his post.

Styles made a tactical change to play the final exchanges with three at the back and pushing Hudson up into midfield and it had the desired effect as Hudson (who shares the same name as Glebe’s manager) salvaged a point with 42 minutes and 33 seconds on the clock.

Corke exploded into life and hung in a great cross from the right hand side and Hudson found a pocket of space at the far post to rise to plant his header down and up into the top left-hand corner from eight-yards.

“We had to go for something, we had to try to push bodies forward and try to get forward. Thankfully we managed to get one back to salvage the draw,” said Styles.

“Another five minutes we might have gone on to win it with the way the game had gone and the emphasis was on us a little bit but a point is better than zero but we wanted the win.”

Morgan added: “Look, I thought we were probably worthy of a win before they equalised but I said to Richard walking off the pitch, I said ‘I’m happy with that!’  We know each other from old and it was disappointing that it went in but we’ve got a point against one of the top sides in the league.

“For us it’s all about developing. We’ve got a bit of a plan here. It ain’t short term. We’ve got to stay up to make the plan work. Fingers crossed we can work towards that.”

On sitting top of the table, Morgan admitted: “It’s bonkers! It’s only two games. Look, I said in the dressing room after the game, it’s very difficult when you put a brand new team together but I was proud of them tonight. I thought they did very, very well.”

Styles heaped praise on the “Tunbridge Wells faithful” for swelling the crowd at Cobdown to 207.

“We’re on the board and the character from the side and the desire to carry on going, that’s a trait of ours we’ll always have so I was never in doubt that we would do that,” said the manager.

“Listen, I love our fans and I’ve always have done from the minute I came to the club. I’m forever thankful for what they do and the support they give the boys, they’re absolutely brilliant. They’re close to the boys and the boys are close to them and we’re all in it together.

“It’s always nice to be supported and to have a fan base like that behind us is a huge positive but at the same time we’ve got to perform for them and we’ve got to deliver for them.”

Both sides kick-off their FA Cup campaign on Saturday in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round with K Sports welcoming newly-promoted side Rusthall to Cobdown, while Tunbridge Wells travel to Combined Counties League Premier Division South side Walton & Hersham.

K Sports: Charlie Walker, Kwasi Amoah, Michael Oshan, Ian Batten, Jack Bray, Segun Ikudehinbu, Victor Aiyelabola, George Batten, Isaac Bignell (Max Morgan 73), Kane Butler, Timileyen Babington.
Subs: Bramoua Gbalourouan, Connor Cheek, Mackenzie Gardiner, Lewis Foreman

Goals: Kane Butler 47, Michael Oshan 68

Tunbridge Wells: Aaron Lee-Wharton, Frankie Griffin, James Nurden, Connor Pring (Miles Cornwell 22), Robbie Bissett, Harry Hudson, Josh Froggatt (Euan Sahadow 68), Jordan Johnson, Matt Gething (Lucas Murrain 85), Jordan Wells, Regan Corke.
Subs: Harvey Killick, Ryan Cheek

Goals: Jordan Wells 54, Harry Hudson 88

Booked: James Nurden 7

Attendance: 207
Referee: Mr Kieran Cox
Assistants: Mr Dan Tornbon & Mr John Quirke