Tonbridge Angels 3-0 Tunbridge Wells - Bromby is in high demand - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Farnie wants to bring the highly-rated, Tonbridge based stopper, back to Culverden Stadium, having been granted permission to play him against the Angels in tonight’s annual George Piper Courier Cup between the two west-Kent clubs.

And it took three special second half goals to beat him, as the Ryman Premier League hosts, who also had left-winger, Matt Lovell sent off following a 69^th minute flashpoint with Andy Boyle, won back the silverware after spending just one year with their Kent League neighbours.

Bromby, whose also played for Maidstone United and Hastings United, was given permission to play for his former side earlier in the day, as Farnie was without goalkeepers Phil Lewis (work commitments), Stewart Copeland (holiday) and Jimmy Simpson, whose retired due to his ankle injury.

That meant, goalkeeper coach, Alan Rogers, 60, was able to watch the match from the dug-out, and assistant, Steve Gibbons, who can play in goal when called upon, was deployed as a striker for the last seventeen minutes.

As well as a goalkeeping crisis, Farnie was also without three of his four strikers, with Dean Spencley (cruciate), Tom Smith (Achilles) and Luke Wallond (groin) unvailable.

Angels’ player-manager, Tony Dolby, was also missing some players, with Scott Kinch, Fraser Logan (hamstring) and Tommy Tyne (ankle) out injured.

Star striker, Jon Main, 26, however, was able to pass a fitness test to come off the bench after 33 minutes - scoring the first goal of the game early in the second half - having replaced former Bromley striker, Adam Greenway, who was forced off due to an ankle injury.

Left-back, Jon Heath, was also forced off at the interval, with a foot injury.

As you’d expect, Tonbridge Angels, who play two divisions higher than their neighbours, dominated proceedings.

And they should have opened the scoring after eight minutes.

Greenway whipped in a right-footed cross from the right by-line, which Bromby managed to get his fists to, only as far as Lovell, who headed over from just eight-yards out.

Another chance fell Tonbridge’s way after fifteen minutes but Greenway hooked a volley over from eight-yards after Ray Powell cut the ball back to Scott Gooding, who found the striker with a first time cross.

Angels new goalkeeper, Matt Reed, turned provider after 21 minutes.

Gooding rolled the ball back from his right-back position to the goalkeeper, wearing a pink jersey, but the former West Ham United stopper launched a right-footed clearance over the top of the Wells’ defence.

Powell latched onto the precise pass but cracked a right-footed angled shot from twenty-yards over Bromby’s fingertips - and the crossbar.

Tonbridge went close through Storey, with a 20-yard chip, that went past the left post, before Bromby wasn’t going to be beaten by Hamid Barr and Greenway.

Bromby proved what a good goalkeeper he is in the 29^th minute, acrobatically tipping Barr’s 28-yard, right-footed free-kick, over.

Barr showed his class again when he saw Bromby off his line, but this time his 25-yard lob dropped agonisingly past the post.

And Powell’s left-footed shot flashed just past the foot of the near post, following Gooding’s throw and Barr’s lay-off.

But despite their chances, it was Tunbridge Wells that came the closest to grabbing the lead, late in the first-half.

Lloyd Gofton sent over their first corner of the game after 43 minutes and Dave Forster’s far-post header - and Joe Fuller’s over-head kick - were both cleared off the line.

Thanks to their good spell late in the first half, Tunbridge Wells were spurred on and Mile Lord, signed from Kent County League minnows, Tonbridge Invicta, squandered a good chance after just thirty seconds into the second half, floating a shot past the far post from sixteen-yards, after getting the better of defender, James Donovan.

But Donovan’s glancing header, following Storey’s 51^st minute corner, was gratefully cleared off the line at the far post.

And it was no surprise when Tonbridge Angels opened the scoring just two minutes later.

Trialist, substitute, Kurt Husnu, who replaced the injured Heath, did his chances of claiming a place in the squad no harm, by playing a ball over the top of the Wells’ defence from his left-back position.

Powell latched onto the precise pass, and with the Wells defence flagging behind, Powell’s left-footed drive from fifteen-yards bounced past Bromby into an empty net.

Another trademark Tonbridge pass, this time from Storey, was latched onto by Powell, but this time the striker shot across Bromby and past the far post.

Tunbridge Wells’ midfielder, Sam Phillips, lashed a volley over Reed’s crossbar from 12-yards, after Boyle knocked down Ben Hilden’s free-kick from the middle of the park.

Bromby got his body in the way of a long-range stinning drive from Storey, before Main doubled the Angels’ lead after 66 minutes.

Storey’s ball over the top was finished clinically by the much-sought after striker, as Main sent a delicate 20-yard chip over Bromby’s head, which dropped into the net.

But the Angels spoilt their copybook with 21 minutes remaining, when Lovell saw red in more ways than one.

Boyle escaped punishment after going in with a strong, two-footed challenge on Lovell, but Lovell reacted by head butting the former Chatham Town defender, who needed treatment.

Lovell was shown a straight red-card by referee, Mr David Buck and Angels had to play the remainder of the match with only ten-men, a common occurance.

Barr’s right-footed curler, which was heading towards the top far corner, was plucked out of the air by Bromby, making an acrobatic save.

But Barr scored a peach of a goal with just three minutes left, when he chipped the ball over Bromby, which dropped into the net, just beneath the crossbar.

Despite the defeat, Farnie admitted EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk,  that was pleased with the performance from his side.

“Really pleased with us,” he said. “I thought we done really well tonight to be honest - difference was, class finishing.

“That was the only difference between the two sides, was the three goals.

“Powell’s first one was a great finish, then Mainey scored the second one, didn’t he, good finish, and the third one, well, Hamid Barr’s just genius, so what do you do?

“All three goals were good goals. You’ve got to hold your hands up and say quality finishing beat us tonight.”

Tony Dolby, also hailed the quality finishing from his side.

“The quality of the finishing was very good tonight,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after he spent nearly an hour discussing tonight’s match out on the pitch with coaches Mike Rutherford and Rob Palmer.

“Wore them down in the end, played some decent stuff at times. Still pre-season, so little bits to work on obviously, but yes, three goals to nil was a nice scoreline in the end.”

Dolby explained the situation with Bromby, who like last season, looks like to be his number two goalkeeper this term.

“I think he done them a favour by playing tonight,” said Dolby. “It was only today that it was sorted out.

“Matt obviously wants to be number one keeper here, I’ll be having a chat with him tonight, stroke tomorrow.

“I’ve always said whatever keeper wasn’t number one, we’ll still want about, but obviously dual registrations, when their playing competitive football, is what it’s all about.

“I’m sure it will be resolved in the next couple of days.”

Dolby hinted that Matt Reed will be his number one goalkeeper for the start of the season.

“Matt Bromby couldn’t come to the Newcastle trip so Matt (Reed) had the shirt and it’s his to lose really.

“At the moment, he’s not doing anything to lose it, so there’s a strong case of Matt Reed being number one.”

Farnie would love to have Bromby back at Culverden Stadium, especially as their Kent League campaign kicks-off with a tough trip to VCD Athletic on Saturday week.

“I’ve been trying to work on Matt for two-three weeks,” Farnie revealed.

“We’ve been talking, with the blessing of Tonbridge, and I’ve just got to wait and see the situation develops in the next couple of weeks and see how it pans out for us.

“I’ve got two (other goalkeepers) - I don’t know about them because I haven’t seen enough of them to make any judgement.

“We know about Matt Bromby, he’s a class goalkeeper and if he turned up on my door and said “I want to come and play for you,” I’ll be stupid not to put him in as my number one.”

Speaking about Lovell’s red-card, Farnie said: “Boyle made a tackle, strong tackle, two-footed, which is against the (laws).

“He’s come off the ground to it, so it’s a foul. It’s probably a yellow card offence, simple as that, but the lad’s (Lovell) got up and head butted someone, so you can’t be doing that, simple as that.”

Dolby added: “There’s not really much to say, I think, the proof is in the pudding really.

“With the poor disciplinary record we’ve had, and me being up the FA just last week, he’s done himself no favours at all, or the club.

“We had to go up there (the FA) because of our disciplinary record, which is being reviewed.”

But Dolby raved about Hamid Barr’s homecoming, adding: “You’re going to get that with Hamid. He’s got the ability to unlock defences and score goals with that quality.

“He’s all round fitness, and game, is a lot better than I thought might have been, so he’s been a breath of fresh air for us.”

Bromby, who didn't want to be interviewed, did say, "I'm keeping my options open at the moment."

Tonbridge Angels: Matt Reed, Scott Gooding, Jon Heath (Kurt Husnu 45), Robbie Kember (Matt Newman 82), Steve Aris (John Beales 61), James Donovan (Matt Crane 82), Hamid Barr, Anthony Storey, Ray Powell (Adam O’Neill 76), Adam Greenway (Jon Main 33), Matt Lovell.
Sub: Tony Dolby.

Sent off: Matt Lovell 69

Goals: Ray Powell 53, Jon Main 66, Hamid Barr 87

Tunbridge Wells: Matt Bromby, Jason Bourne, Ben Hilden (Danny Lewis 83), Andy Garrett, Andy Boyle, Dave Forster, Wayne Balmer (John Lord 83), Sam Phillips (Mike McEwan 82), Joe Fuller (Steve Gibbons 73), Mike Lord (Dave Blundell 73), Lloyd Gofton (Danny McGann 73).
Subs: Elliott Everson, Alan Rogers.

Attendance: 405
Referee: Mr David Buck (Istead Rise)
Assistants: Mr Steve Rowden (Rochester) & Mr Nolan Wild (Rochester)