Tonbridge Angels 3-2 Ashford Town (Mdx) - It's been a good day for us - Warrilow

Monday 31st August 2009

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 3-2 ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX)
Ryman Premier League
Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2009
Mike Green reports from Longmead Stadium

CARL ROOK’S 50th career goal for Tonbridge Angels sealed all three points for Tommy Warrilow’s side as they battled against steamy conditions and a rock hard pitch at Longmead to finally overcome a ragged Ashford Town (Middlesex) side.

Angels boss Warrilow admitted to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards, that he was a relieved man.

“Yet again we’ve played a side who have played just one man upfront against us and although we’ve played well, there’s been something missing.

“We’ve struggled to break down sides and today especially I’ve never thought it was going to come.

“With the small squad of 12 players, we’ve got to keep them fit and free from suspension. That’s been the case so far, so I’ve got to keep my fingers crossed that it will continue.”

Warrilow added: “We were behind twice and having battled back we had the chances to win the game before we got the pen and you’ve got to say how coolly Rookie took it.”

And whilst Warrilow was full of praise for his side, he would have been particularly concerned with the seemingly inability in the first half to create anything in front of goal.

Though to be fair to the Angels the first half will not live long in anyone’s memory.

Both goalkeeper’s only really had one shot to save each - in Lee Worgan’s case it was to magnificently to tip over a 25-yard drive from Ashford’s Ricardo Joseph.

Craig Ross in the Ashford goal produced a fine double save in stoppage time to first deny striker Paul Booth and then Kirk Watts’ follow up.

Overall, the first half seemed very sluggish and governed by the soaring temperatures.

Little did the 440 crowd know what was in store for them after the break in what turned into a five-goal thriller.

The visitors’ took the lead within 90 seconds of the restart when a long throw into the Angels penalty area was helped on by Byron Harrison to Malaci Bulley who glanced a header past Worgan and in off the right post.

The Angels levelled within 60 seconds following a corner that wasn’t cleared properly. Watts retrieved the loose ball and his cross was powerfully headed into the net by the impressive Lee Minshull.

However, on 53 minutes, Jamie Cade burst into the Ashford penalty area only to be denied by the keeper Ross. The ball rebounded to Rook whose first time cross found Booth at the back post, who could not believe that he cleared the crossbar and hit the ball into the North Stand from less than eight yards.

This miss seemed costly, however, as just eight minutes later as Ashford skipper Paul Johnson established the lead.

A free-kick wide on the left, found Johnson on the edge of the box, only for his bobbled shot to be cleared off the line by Minshull, whose clearance went straight back to the Ashford midfielder, who drove his shot through the crowd of players and into the bottom corner.

Again though, the Angels responded. A long free-kick was only half cleared by the Ashford defence and substitute Gavyn Dayes, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, sent over the perfect cross for Rook, whose downward header levelled the score.

As the Angels piled forward, dominating possession, skipper Anthony Storey brought the very best out of keeper Ross with a 30-yard drive, which the stopper did very well to turn aside.

Cade and winger Steve Ferguson combined well down the right and Cade’s cross saw Rook attempt a spectacular scissor kick, which flew high over the bar into the crowd.

Rook went closer on 87 minutes when he got on the ball of a long Ferguson throw and sent an angled volley just too high.

As the Angels continued to throw everything forward, Minshull found Watts wide on the left and his cross was handled in the box by defender Vinnie O’Sullivan and Rook duly stepped forward to bury the spot-kick to the keepers right as Ross dived in the opposite direction.

At the final whistle, Ashford boss Mark Butler could be seen in deep conversation with referee Mr Paul Harris over the award of the spot-kick. However, it was clear to all that the visitors boss was not happy with the decision.

Warrilow, on the other hand, was delighted that his side had finally registered a home league win, which puts his side third in the Ryman Premier League table.

“It’s been a good day for us,” he said. “Now all we have to do is to take this sort of form and get a result in Saturday’s derby against Maidstone at Homelands.”

Tonbridge Angels: Lee Worgan, Lewis Hamilton, Jon Heath (Gavyn Dayes 60), Jamie Cade, Lee Minshull, Scott Gooding, Steve Ferguson, Anthony Storey, Paul Booth, Carl Rook, Kirk Watts.
Subs: Jean-Michal Sigere, Paul Butler, Bobby Dixey, Sonny Miles.

Goals: Lee Minshull 47, Carl Rook 67, 90 (pen)

Booked: Carl Rook 82, Paul Booth 84

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Craig Ross, Vinnie O’Sullivan, Ricardo Joseph, Malaci Bulley (Ino Ginev 90), Billy Jeffreys, Adam Logie, Paul Johnson, Hone Fowler, Scott Wright, Byron Harrison, Warren Harris.
Subs: Scott Harris, Nathan Turner, Paul Burgess.

Goals: Malaci Bulley 46, Paul Johnson 61

Attendance: 440
Referee: Mr Paul Kelly (Walderslade)
Assistants: Mr Rob Baker (Maidstone) & Mr Saul Kay (Sittingbourne)