Tonbridge Angels 2 Tooting & Mitcham United 0

Monday 01st May 2006

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2
Jon Main 66
Nick Barnes 87

TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED 0

Stephen McCartney reports from the Betterview Longmead Stadium
Ryman League Division One - Play-off Semi-Final

Roared on by PASSIONATE supporters Tonbridge Angels booked their place into the Ryman League play-off final and a SHOWDOWN with their arch-rivals Dover Athletic courtesy of fine solo goals from Jon Main and Nick Barnes.

Tonbridge fans endured ecstasy and agony within seconds after 41 minutes when a right-footed screamer from 25-yards from their player-of-the-year Ray Powell flew into the top right hand corner.

But the goal was ruled out as the former Fisher Athletic player used his hand to control the ball, and having been booked just two minutes earlier for dissent, the 13-goal striker was shown his second yellow card.

Spare a thought for the distraught Powell, and midfielder Nick Barnes, who will miss Saturday’s showdown with Dover Athletic due to suspensions.

Midfielder Barnes, a 67^th minute substitute, was handed a three match suspension and he will be hoping the first two league games of his ban will be in the Ryman Premier League and not division one.

But the midfielder sent his side into the final three minutes from time with a brilliant solo goal - after former Cray Wanderers striker Main broke the deadlock after 66 minutes.

Main, who netted 20 goals for Ian Jenkins’ side before his switch to the Betterview Longmead Stadium in January, scored his fourth but most important goal in Tonbridge colours.

Main received a low pass from Piscina some 30-yards from goal, and as the assistant’s flag stayed down, Main, with the whole of Tonbridge urging him on, burst into the penalty area.

And youngster Sheikh Ceesay, who replaced the suspended Paul Borg in the visitors goal, was the only player he had to beat.

From eight-yards out, Main found the bottom far corner with the outside of his right boot to send the home faithful wild.

Tooting were reduced to ten men themselves with 15 minutes remaining when Main poked the ball for Barnes to burst through the middle of the pitch - starting his run from the half-way line - he was on the end of a deliberate foul by Scott Kinch and Oxfordshire referee Mr John Farriers had no option but to show his second red card of the match.

But Barnes netted his eighth goal of the season to seal the Angels’ passage into the final with three minutes left on the clock.

Picking the ball up on the right hand side of midfield on the counter attack, the emotional Tonbridge fans urged the midfielder towards goal.

Barnes cut inside and evaded a couple of challenges, and had enough energy to get into the penalty area, and slotted home into the corner.

Tonbridge will host their arch-rivals Dover Athletic on Saturday with promotion back into the Ryman Premier League at stake at the first attempt for one of these Kentish giants.

Earlier, Tonbridge came close to grabbing a 26^th minute lead when skipper Steve Aris’ header was headed off the line following Tony Dolby’s free kick on the left.

Tooting & Mitcham United, who finished in sixth place in the table, had the majority of possession in the first half and Jason Pinnock’s looping header was comfortably saved by Jerome John, following Ted Hart’s hanging cross.

Then Adam Broomhead’s long ball was latched onto by the impressive visiting striker Paul Scott, and after cutting inside Aris, his shot from eight-yards found the side netting after 33 minutes - the first half’s best chance.

But the celebrations from the majority of the 707 fans quickly died when Powell’s goal was ruled out and were left stunned when he was shown his second yellow card for the use of his hand in bringing the ball under control before his right-footed screamer.

Play-off games are always tense affairs but Dolby almost scored direct from a 30-yard free kick - six minutes after the interval.

His left-footed curing free kick flew over players inside the six-yard box but dropped down, agonisingly striking the foot of the far post.

The Surrey side, winning fourteen corners, went close from their eighth flag kick when Vernan Francis rose highest to head Ryan Gray’s just over.

Tonbridge rode their luck at times and this was the case in the 69th minute when Scott's looping header bounced off the crossbar with Jerome John well beaten.

However, the passionate support from Tonbridge was the catalyst for their heroes to get through and they can look forward to a crowd of at least 1,500 on Saturday.

Not so lucrative for the clubs involved as the Ryman League collect 25% of the gate, with the two competing clubs banking 37% each.

Meanwhile, in today’s other semi-final, Craig Wilkins’ 70^th minute goal was enough for Dover Athletic to win at Imber Court.

Metropolitan Police also lost at this stage last season when they lost in a penalty shoot out at Bromley.

Dover striker, James Dryden, 25, was taken off with a knee injury.

REACTION FOLLOWS LATER.
Tonbridge Angels: Jerome John, Drew Watkins (Danny Lye 67), Fraser Logan, Lew Watts, Steve Aris (Capt), John Beales, Luke Piscina (Nick Barnes 67), Alex O’Brien, Jon Main, Tony Dolby, Ray Powell.
Subs: Jay May, Mike Cramp, Wade Falana.

Sent off: Ray Powell 41
Tooting & Mitcham United: Sheikh Ceesay, Ted Hart, Craig Tanner (John Hasting 70), Vernon Francis, Adam Broomhead, Aaron Day, Ryan Gray, Scott Kinch, Paul Scott, Jason Pinnock, James Lasbury.(Scott Simpson 70)
Subs: Benson Kpaka, Jason Hanniff, Ryan Adams.

Sent off: Scott Kinch 73
Attendance: 707
Referee: John Farries (Adderbury, Oxfordshire)
Assistants: Chris Wicks (Reading, Berkshire) & Mr Rob Hodges (Milton Keynes)
Fourth Official: Gary Jerden (Grays, Essex)

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