Tonbridge Angels 1-3 Sutton United - Shameful Doswell's antics mars fine win

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1-3 SUTTON UNITED
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 21^st February 2009
Mike Green reports from Betterview Longmead Stadium

TONBRIDGE ANGELS slipped to their fourth home defeat of the season following an afternoon at Longmead that will surely be remembered for the antics of Sutton United manager Paul Doswell.

Doswell was sent from the dug-out late in a stormy first half for lashing out at Tonbridge skipper Anthony Storey during a break in play.

Never before has this reporter seen such an incident at a level above park football and yet it is a shame that the antics of their manager will detract from a fine performance from the visitors’ as they lifted themselves well and truly into the play-off hunt.

The opening half-hour resembled a chess match with both sides probing for a way through.

On thirteen minutes, Carl Rook held off a defender only to drive just to high from 25-yards and a couple moments later the same player perhaps should have done better with a header from a Simon Glover free-kick.

Ten minutes later, Angels goalkeeper Lee Worgan pulled off two stunning saves to deny Matt Hann, the second of which was truly stunning as the keeper somehow managed to tip a low drive wide of the right post.

From the resulting corner, however, only Chukki Eribenne will know how he didn’t open the scoring. The former Ebbsfleet United favourite reacted quickest to a ricochet, only to prod the ball wide from four yards out.

Eribenne then became the third Sutton player into referee Mr Paul Harris’ book following a crude challenge on Leon Legge, which regretfully sparked off the disgraceful scenes that saw Sutton manager Doswell sent from the field.

Following a five minute break, the Angels were inches from taking the lead as Jamie Cade struck the base of the left post, only for John Westcott to be denied by Tim Bond’s goal-line clearance.

On the stroke of half-time, Rook was released again but in a footrace with Chris Collins from half-way, just couldn’t hold off the Sutton defender to get his shot in and the chance was gone.

With the ground still buzzing following Doswell’s expulsion and half-time beckoning, Sutton took the lead, courtesy of a bizarre own goal.

That said, with what had gone on in the proceeding ten minutes it was a goal that perhaps we should have expected.

In first half stoppage time, Hann’s free-kick wide on the left was poor, but not properly cleared by the Angels defence and as Hann hoisted the ball back into the area Legge, in advertently headed the ball past Worgan and into his own net.

Stunned into a response after the break, Rook was again denied, this time by a great scrambling save from keeper Paul Nicholls.

Storey whipped in a cross from the right and the Angels top-scorer seemed to have beaten the Sutton keeper only to see Nicholls manage to tip the ball around the left post.

On 57 minutes, Eribenne should have made it two for Sutton as following a corner, Bond nodded the ball on for the striker, who couldn’t hit the target from six-yards.

On the hour, Legge almost atoned for his own goal. Again, Storey was the provider - this time from a free-kick - and the giant central defender’s header just wouldn’t dip in time.

Phil Starkey then provided Rook with another chance, which was bravely denied by a Nicholls block (a block that would later see Rook hobble off and doubtful for Tuesday’s home game with Carshalton Athletic).

The game was effectively settled eleven minutes from time following a magnificent run from Gavin McCullum. He left the Tonbridge defence in his wake before pulling the ball back for Craig Dundas to drive high into the net from twelve yards.

The points were sealed ninety seconds later when this time McCullum went on his own beating two defenders before curling the ball into the bottom corner.

Legge did pull a goal back for the Angels in stoppage time when substitute Bobby Dixey’s pass to the hard working Jamie Cade found its way to the central defender who slotted home his eighth of the season.

After the game, Angels boss Tommy Warrilow couldn’t hide his disappointment, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We were better than them today, but yet again, we’ve let in three scrappy goals," he fumed.

“We’ve just got to look at the first one to see that it wasn’t our day and we weren’t going to get the rub of the green.

“Let’s face it, after the thing with their manager, if the ball hit’s the post and goes in, it’s a different game.

"Today, wasn't our day," shrugged the disconsolate Warrilow, who added, "We’ve knocked the ball about well and really I can’t fault the players for their effort.”

The Tonbridge boss knows though he could have some real selection problems for Tuesday’s home game against fourth placed Carshalton Athletic, already without Ade Olorunda (foot ligaments) and Tommy Tyne (thigh).

The Tonbridge boss hopes Tyne will be back for next Saturday’s trip to Boreham Wood.  Warrilow now faces the possibility of having his threadbare squad stretched to breaking point as Rook must be rated doubtful following his early departure today and also doubtful is Simon Glover who was treated after the game for breathing difficulties.

Looking ahead, Warrilow said, “Yes, I’m disappointed but it brings the whole play-off race close together and who knows we might have to play them again."

Tonbridge Angels: Lee Worgan, Phil Starkey, Lewis Hamilton, Tim Olorunda (Michael Phillips 74), Leon Legge, Scott Gooding, John Westcott (Fraser Logan 60), Anthony Storey, Jamie Cade, Carl Rook (Bobby Dixey 84), Simon Glover.
Sub: Paul Butler.

Goal: Leon Legge 90

Sutton United: Paul Nicholls, Karim El Salahi, Darren Ebsworth, Dean Palmer (Steve McKimm 5), Chris Collins, Tim Bond (Oscar Lubwana 57), Matt Hann, Craig Dundas, David Hughes, Chukki Eribenne (Billy Dunn 90), Gavin McCullum.
Subs: Bentley Graham, Charlie Ottaway.

Goals: Leon Legge 45 (own goal), Craig Dundas 78, Gavin McCullum 81

Booked: Steve McKimm 20, Craig Dundas 26, Chukki Eribenne 34

Sent off: Paul Doswell (manager) 38

Attendance: 615
Referee: Mr Paul Harris (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr John Flynn (Crawley, West Sussex) & Mr Neil Wallace (Crawley, West Sussex)