Tonbridge Angels 1-5 Gravesend & Northfleet

Tuesday 24th October 2006

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1-5 GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET
Tuesday 24^th October 2006
FA Youth Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Qualifying Round
Stephen McCartney reports from Betterview Longmead Stadium

Gravesend & Northfleet sailed past their brave Kentish rivals Tonbridge Angels to reach the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup tonight.

The Fleet already defeated Chatham Town (9-0), Erith & Belvedere (6-0) and Sevenoaks Town (6-3) on their tour of Kent in the earlier rounds and scored five goals at a foggy Betterview Longmead Stadium tonight.

Ian Docker’s side face their fifth successive game on the road in this cup competition, travelling to North Greenford United or Dunstable Town, and will be favourites to reach the second round proper at least.

They got off to a dream start, however, taking the lead after just 80 seconds when striker Kwesi Appiah glanced home Danny Stubbs’ first corner of the game.

Later on, two penalties from Lee Maskell, and strikes from Tommy Whitnell and John Akinde sent the Fleet through unscathed, although highly-rated striker Bobby Dixey scored for the home side.

Akinde had brought a fine save from Tonbridge Angels’ goalkeeper Daniel Burke inside the first five minutes as the full-time outfit threatened to run riot early on.

But Tonbridge weathered the early storm and created their first chance when Michael Barker latched onto Dixey’s short low pass but his eight-yard shot flashed agonisingly wide.

Akinde then looped a header over Burke’s crossbar before Tonbridge created three good first half chances.

Barker spun past Fleet defender Theo Kennedy but his 15-yard lob was plucked out of the air by goalkeeper Rob French.

French made a fine save in the 26^th minute when he dived on the goal-line to prevent Frank Fabiola, who came up from his defensive duties, powerfully heading Nathan Gee’s far post free-kick into the net from four yards out.

Gee then delivered their first corner of the game towards the far post and French made another fine save from another powerful header, this time from Barker.

But a rush of blood from Tonbridge goalkeeper Burke undone his team-mates excellent work, rushing out to his left hand side of the penalty area to bring down Appiah, who had burst into the area on a counter attack.

Lee Maskell drove home the penalty to give the Fleet a 2-0 lead inside first half stoppage time, and Tommy Whitnell increased their lead after just 40 seconds into the second half, tapping home a loose ball after the Tonbridge goalkeeper spilt a shot.

But Dixey gave Tonbridge a life-line just 62 seconds after Fleet’s third goal of the night, firing a shot into the left hand corner.

Gee whipped in another free kick in the 51^st minute, which looped off Billy Alton’s leg but French palmed the shot away from the top far corner.

Gravesend & Northfleet, meanwhile, extinguished any chance the home side had of getting back into the game, scoring from a dubious penalty in the 58^th minute.

Goalkeeper Burke came off his line to distract Akinde, who chipped the ball over the bar from 15-yards, but referee Mr Roger Wells amazingly pointed to the spot.

Maskell scored his second of the night from the resulting penalty.

Tonbridge rallied late in the game with Matthew Arber driving a shot from distance straight at French and Barker dragged a shot agonisingly across the face of goal.

And Burke was once again at fault, gifting Gravesend & Northfleet their fifth goal inside stoppage time, dropping Christopher Shakalli’s whipped in cross from the right and Akinde tapped home the gift.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS FROM BOTH MANAGERS FOLLOW LATER.

Tonbridge Angels: Daniel Burke, Billy Alton (Isaac Annan 77), Jack Parkinson, Nathaniel Bell, Frank Fabiola, Lew Tapper (Robert Dabner 45), Craig Penfold, Matthew Arber, Michael Barker, Bobby Dixey, Nathan Gee.
Subs: Josh McKiernan, Martin Grant.

Goal: Bobby Dixey 47

Gravesend & Northfleet: Rob French, Adam Fisher, Theo Kennedy (Grant Duff 77), Danny Stubbs, Tommy Whitnell (James Allen 86), Dan Bowles, Kierran Gaston (David Panetta 53), Lee Maskell, John Akinde, Kwesi Appiah, Christopher Shakalli.
Subs: Luke Phillips, Jack Barry.

Goals: Kwesi Appiah 2, Lee Maskell 45 (pen), 58 (pen), Tommy Whitnell 46, John Akinde 90

Attendance: 65
Referee: Mr Roger Wells
Assistants: Mr P Townley & Mr D Colvin