Kentish Football 
PLAY-OFF LIVE: Kent sides feel the agony and ecstasy of play-off football
Tuesday 28th April 2009
There will be one Kent team playing in a Ryman League play-off final on Saturday, as Cray Wanderers defeated dull Worthing courtesy of Jamie Wood’s match-winning 45th minute strike.
Ian Jenkins men will welcome Metropolitan Police (1-0 winners at Fleet Town) to Hayes Lane for Saturday’s Ryman League Division One South play-off final.
But it’s devastation for Tonbridge Angels, who finished the season in a record breaking third place in the Ryman Premier League, as, despite fighting back from being two goals down, courtesy of goals from Carl Rook (penalty) and Paul Booth, Richard Jolly immediately scored at the other end, to hand Carshalton Athletic a 3-2 victory at Longmead Stadium.
Click here to read our LIVE COVERAGE of how events unfolded as we go through the agony and ecstasy of play-off football.
Teams from Hayes Lane:
Cray Wanderers: Glen Knight, Arron Day, Colin Luckett (Tyrone Sterling 28), Danny Chapman, Mark Willy, Steve Aris, Scott Kinch, Simon Osborn (Dean Morris 86), Lewis Wood, Leigh Bremner, Jamie Wood (Michael Power 83).
Subs: Jamie Kempster, Juma Ibrahim.
Goal: Jamie Wood 45
Booked: Leigh Bremner 66, Scott Kinch 68, Tyrone Sterling 70, Jamie Wood 72
Worthing: Alan Mansfield, Stuart Axten, Mickey Demetriou, Glen Woodburn, Andy Alexander (Ben Andrews 75), Will Jenkins, Jamie Brotherton, Paul Kennett, Jorge Lopes (Scott Kirkwood 67), Karl Akehurst (Lee Farrell 85), Ross Treleaven.
Subs: Enzo Benn, Ollie Barton.
Booked: Jamie Brotherton 20, Paul Kennett 56
Attendance: 373
Referee: Mr Anthony Serrano (Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire)
Assistants: Mr R Taylor (Weymouth, Dorset) & Mr Jon Ganfield (Bournemouth, Dorset)
Fourth Official: Mr John Rowbury (Orpington)
Teams from Longmead Stadium:
Tonbridge Angels: Lee Worgan, Phil Starkey (Lee Minshull 68), Simon Glover, Tommy Tyne, Gavin Dayes (Tim Olorunda 68), Scott Gooding, Steve Ferguson, Anthony Storey, Paul Booth, Carl Rook, Dwain Clarke.
Subs: John Westcott, John Heath, Rob French.
Goals: Carl Rook 72 (pen), Paul Booth 82
Booked: Phil Starkey 39, Carl Rook 67
Carshalton Athletic: Richard Stroud, Simon Cooper, Lewis Gonsalves, Liam Harwood, David Graves, Bashir Alimi, Barry Stevens (Karl Beckford 90), Adrian Toppin, Charlie Ide (Junior Kadi 62), Richard Jolly, Jamie England (Ryan Martin 58).
Subs: Stuart Duff, Phil Wilson.
Goals: Richard Jolly 24, 83 Charlie Ide 49
Booked: Liam Harwood 73, Adrian Toppin 78, Richard Stroud 90
Attendance: 1,249
Referee: Mr John Busby (Wallingford, Oxfordshire)
Assistants: Mr Adam Ricketts (Bristol) & Mr Alan Raggett (Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset)
Fourth Official: Mr Ron Ganfield (Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset)
RESULT TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-3 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Two goals from the Ryman League top scorer Richard Jolly ended the Tonbridge Angels’ season in play-off heartbreak and despair at Longmead. Tommy Warrilow’s side battled back from a two goal deficit shortly after half-time and equalised courtesy of a penalty from Carl Rook and a goal on 82 minutes from Paul Booth, Unfortunately for the Angels they then committed the cardinal sin of conceding within a minute as Jolly ran onto a long ball out of defence and slotted the ball wide of the advancing Lee Worgan and into the net. A devastating and heartbreaking finish to what has been a great season for the Angels, but it’s Carshalton Athletic who travel to Staines Town on Saturday in the Ryman Premier League play-off final.
93:54 CRAY WANDERES 1-0 WORTHING
The Ryman League Division One South play-off final will be here at Hayes Lane on Saturday as Jamie Wood’s strike on the stroke of half-time sealed Ian Jenkins’ brave hearts into the final, silencing Worthing’s supporters. Cray Wanderers will welcome Metropolitan Police on Saturday, as they also won 1-0, at Fleet Town.
83:00 TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-3 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
A long ball forward from Carshalton, left Richard Jolly in with a foot race with Simon Glover and unfortunately for the Angels, the league’s top scorer slotted home his 38th goal of the season.
82:00 TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-2 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
A majestic ball from Anthony Storey released substitute Lee Minshull and from his cross, Paul Booth bundled the ball home.
83:00 TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-3 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
A long ball forward from Carshalton, left Richard Jolly in with a foot race with Simon Glover and unfortunately for the Angels, the league’s top scorer slotted home his 38th goal of the season.
82:00 TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-2 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
A majestic ball from Anthony Storey released substitute Lee Minshull and from his cross, Paul Booth bundled the ball home.
83:00
Glen Knight did excellently to tip over Jamie Brotheton’s deflected 25-yard drive as Worthing press.
80:00
With their supporters chanting “attack, attack, attack,” Worthing’s Demetriou cuts inside and forces Glen Knight into a low save.
72:00 TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1-2 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Tonbridge Angels pull a goal back when Carl Rook sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot, after Steve Ferguson was brought down inside the box by Gonsalves.
65:00
Cray Wanderers miss a sitter, from inside the six-yard box, let’s hope it doesn’t come back to bite them. Jamie Wood dinked the ball towards the near post, which was hooked across goal by Scott Kinch and striker Leigh Bremner, in front of an open goal, glanced his header agonisingly wide from just two yards out.
59:00
Worthing, still pressing, go close when Mickey Demetriou’s corner is swung in from the right and this is met by Will Jenkins’ header, from seemingly underneath the crossbar, but thankfully the header clears the crossbar.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS 0-2 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Carshalton Athletic double their lead just four minutes into the second half. Tonbridge were caught short in midfield and as the ball was played forward Richard Jolly was denied by Lee Worgan at the edge of the penalty box and as the ball ran square, Ide bundled the ball in from penalty spot distance.
49:10
Cray Wanderers are starting this second half on the back foot and Karl Akehurst’s right-footed 35-yard free-kick arrows past the left-hand post, although Glen Knight had the ball covered.
47:00
Worthing call Cray goalkeeper Glen Knight into a crucial save at the near post. Jamie Brotherton picked up the ball following a quickly taken free-kick and centred low for Scott Treleaven, whose right-footed low drive was destined for the bottom near corner, that was before the experienced goalkeeper dived low to his right to push around the post for a corner.
SECOND HALF
Cray Wanderers, leading through Jamie Wood’s low drive, get the second half underway, knowing that they are just 45 minutes away from their second successive play-off final, which will be here at Hayes Lane on Saturday, if scores remain the same.
Elsewhere, Metropolitan Police are winning 1-0 in the other play-off at Fleet Town.
In the Ryman Premier play-off’s, Staines Town and Carshalton Athletic lead 1-0 at the break, against Sutton United and Tonbridge Angels respectively.
HALF TIME TONBRIDGE ANGELS 0-1 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
It’s been a frustrating 45 minutes at Longmead, where Tonbridge Angels have had the better chances (the best of which fell to Carl Rook on eight minutes when a header hit the Carshalton crossbar), but the Ryman Premier League leading goalscorer Richard Jolly showed just as why he’s scored so many goals this season when on 24 minutes he got in behind the Tonbridge defence and drilled home his 37th goal of the season past a despairing Lee Worgan in the Tonbridge goal. Tonbridge have it all to do, but to look dangerous when going forward.
48:01 HALF TIME CRAY WANDERERS 1-0 WORTHING
Jamie Wood’s goal has given Cray Wanderers the upper hand at the break, although it has come at a cost as Colin Luckett, who was substituted early with an injury, is seen hobbling off the pitch.
46:56 CRAY WANDERERS 1-0 WORTHING
Cray Wanderers go into the half-time break a goal up, with a goal out of nowhere from Jamie Wood, unleashing a left-footed drive from 30-yards, which flashed past the diving Alan Mansfield to find the bottom right-hand corner, silencing the vocal Worthing supporters.
45:00+
Scott Kinch was released down the right and his deep cross from the by-line was met by an acrobatic right-footed scissor kick from Lewis Wood, which thumped down onto the ground, before the goalkeeper plucked out of the air at the near post.
40:50
Cray call Alan Mansfield into action when Jamie Wood’s driven shot brings a comfortable low save from the Worthing goalkeeper at the foot of his near post.
38:54
Worthing’s Jorge Lopes whips in a cross from the right, which forces Cray goalkeeper Glen Knight to back peddle, only to see the ball bounce off the top of the far post. Worthing felt they had broken the deadlock from the resulting corner, the first real chance of the game. Jamie Brotherton’s corner from the left, swinging in towards the near post, was met by a powerful header from Andy Alexander, which whistled past the near post.
37:35
Cray Wanderers’ third chance of the night arrives, as Worthing prove what a physical side they are, fouling Jamie Wood. The resulting free-kick, delivered by Simon Osborn, 35-yards out, is met by Mark Willy’s glancing header, which sailed past the foot of the far post.
29:00
Richard Jolly, who has given Carshalton Athletic the lead, goes close with an angled volley.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS 0-1 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Richard Jolly gives Carshalton Athletic the 24th minute lead at Longmead Stadium. The striker was played in down the inside right channel and his driven shot beats Lee Worgan into the bottom far corner.
27:05
Cray Wanderers’ boss Ian Jenkins is forced into making his first change as Tyrone Sterling comes on for the injured Colin Luckett.
25:20
We still wait the first real chance of the game, and with Colin Luckett receiving treatment behind Glen Knight’s goal, Steve Aris’ cross from the left is met by Scott Kinch’s header, which clears the crossbar.
Halfway through the first half here at Hayes Lane, I can report that all Ryman League play-off games remain goal-less.
21:06
Colin Luckett whips in a deep cross, which is met by Scott Kinch’s powerful header across goal, which is comfortably plucked out of the air by Worthing goalkeeper Alan Mansfield.
19:33
Worthing’s Jamie Brotherton escapes with just a yellow card for an elbow on Cray’s left-back Colin Luckett, who continues following treatment.
17:45
Worthing call home goalkeeper Glen Knight into action, the first half chance of the match. A trademark long throw from Ross Treleaven is met by a glancing header at the near post, of a crowded penalty area by Will Jenkins, and the ball drops in front of Knight, who spills the ball, but is able to gratefully pick the ball up.
Meanwhile, over at Longmead Stadium, Tonbridge Angels go close after just eight minutes. A trademark long-throw from Steve Ferguson is met by a Carl Rook header, which clips the Carshalton crossbar.
12:46
Cray Wanderers head clear a high left-footed free-kick from Mickey Demetriou, and the ball drops for Karl Akehurst, lurking on the edge of the box, but the central midfielder cracks a right-footed half-volley over the bar from 25-yards.
11:33
Cray striker Leigh Bremner, unleashes a drilled right-footed effort, on the angle from 25-yards, but his low shot is dragged past the far post.
10:42
Jamie Brotherton escapes down the left, but his low centre is comfortably gathered by Glen Knight, the Cray Wanderers goalkeeper.,
9:32
Cray’s experienced player, Simon Osborn, calls Worthing goalkeeper into making a comfortable save, with a driven angled cross-come-shot from the left, but an offside flag had already been raised.
5:35
Cray go close with another set-piece. Simon Osborn delivers an out-swinging corner from the left and this is met by another Mark Willy header, whose effort from 12-yards drops just over the Worthing crossbar.
3:35
Cray Wanderers have the first chance of the game, following a free-kick from Danny Chapman. The holding midfielder floated in a free-kick, which was headed across goal by skipper Mark Willy, and Lewis Wood headed just over at the far post.
1945
With the floodlights now on and a rainbow above, Worthing get the game underway, with Elaine Orsbourne, the Ashford Town secretary, sitting beside me in the press box.
19:38
Cray Wanderers’ theme tune “The Wanderer” blares out and a minute later the two teams walk out - “Red Army, Red Army” chant the travelling Worthing supporters.
19:37
The steward pulls the tunnel towards him, the players are going through their last minute rituals. Kick-off is now only moments away. Come on you Wands - Come on you Angels. Let’s make it a special night for Kent football.
19:31
The blaring music comes to an immediate stop. “Good evening everybody,” says Tony Lettington, the public address announcer. We’re getting closer to the big kick-off. Don’t forget that extra time and penalties may be needed to settle this semi-final. Let’s hope the Magic Wands finish the job in ninety minutes!
19:30
The stage is now set - come on Kent, do us proud!
19:24
Finally, some up to date, pumping music blasts out from the public address system.
19:22
Cray Wanderers’ players have now completed their warm-up and Ian Jenkins will now give his side his last instructions before kick-off. Worthing’s players, wearing white t-shirts, are still out on the pitch.
19:15
Just half-an-hour before kick-off, and yes, the big-match butterflies are going crazy in the stomach. If I feel like this in the Hayes Lane press box, then what must these 22 players below me be feeling?
19:08
Over at Longmead Stadium, Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow has made just one change for the Ryman Premier League play-off showdown against Carshalton Athletic. Right-sided winger, and long throw specialist, Steve Ferguson relegates John Westcott to the substitutes bench.
19:02
Cray Wanderers name the same starting eleven as the one that defeated Sussex side Eastbourne Town 3-0 at the weekend. A good sign, I hope!
18:52
Cray Wanderers defender, Mark Willy, is the first player to begin his warm-up. I expect more will follow in the next few minutes. Ian Jenkins and Joe Francis, kicking balls to each other, are already out on the pitch, leaving Paul Blade inside the dressing room with the rest of the players.
18:52
Cray Wanderers defender, Mark Willy, is the first player to begin his warm-up. I expect more will follow in the next few minutes.
18:50
A steward, wearing a bright yellow jacket, has climbed up on some steps to tie up the goal-nets to our left. Then he walks down the middle of the pitch, clutching the ladder in his right hand, to do the same thing for the goal at the other end of the ground.
18:48
The public address system comes to life - there’s a big, crucial game taking place here in less than an hour.
18:45
There are SIX match officials deep in conversation in front of the players tunnel. An hour before kick-off then, and both managers are inside their dressing room issuing the words that will inspire their sides to get to Saturday’s final. If Cray Wanderers win, then Fleet Town or Metropolitan Police, will travel to Hayes Lane, as the team that finishes the higher in the table have home advantage.
18:39
A vast majority of the Worthing players disappear back down the players tunnel.
18:32
A Worthing fan arrives at Hayes Lane and bellows “come on your Rebels.”
18:25
The entire Worthing squad is now out on the pitch.
18:21
Cray nippy midfielder Jamie Wood, speaking to me here in the press box, is in thoughtful mood, and last year’s play-off final defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United is out of his mind as he bids to win it for the Kent side tonight.
When asked how he was feeling, Wood replied, “I’m ok to be fair. I don’t really put a lot of pressure on myself before big games, just relaxing really, just taking it all in to be fair.”
This is the third time in five seasons that Cray Wanderers have featured in the Ryman One South play-off lottery.
And Wood added, “It’s the third time we’ve been here, we’ve been here before, so we know what it’s all about. We know what we’ve got to do. I’m ok, everyone’s ok to be fair. Everyone’s just doing their own thing now.
“We’re ready to go, the surface looks decent, the best it’s done for a couple of weeks. Last year is not on my mind at all.”
Whilst their will be passionate support for Tonbridge Angels’ home game, it tends to be a lot more quieter at Hayes Lane when the Wands are in town.
And Wood insists it’s important that his team-mates are given good support. He said, “We don’t get a big crowd here, but the ones that are here really need to get behind us. If they’re going to make a noise, they’ve got to get on the Worthing players’ backs - just get behind us and we’ll see how it goes.”
18:16
News filters through to us that tonight’s fourth official, the Bristol based Simon Knapp has been forced to “pull-out.” An Orpington based official, to be confirmed later, is a late replacement. The cost of match officials for both Cray Wanderers and Tonbridge Angels tonight will be high, especially as they come from Hemel Hemspead, Weymouth and Dorset and for the Angels, the four officials have travelled from Wallingford, Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare.
18:11
The match officials are seen leaving the boardroom to our left and disappear down the players tunnel. Worthing players are already on the pitch in two huddles as they bid to shatter the Wands’ promotion hopes.
18:10
Danny Chapman, Cray’s holding midfielder, leads the players back down the tunnel. The last player to disappear is Colin Luckett, who sandwiches Joe Francis and Ian Jenkins.
18:05
Cray Wanderers striker Leigh Bremner strolls out of the players’ tunnel and heads towards the early-bird group as Joe Francis gives his players some last minute tactics before the warm-up.
17:57
Ian Jenkins walks towards Joe Francis and the seven players as the new bosses chat to their players in the sunshine, sharing a few jokes.
17:55
Cray Wanderers’ assistant manager Joe Francis leads out eight players and they walk towards the benches end of Hayes Lane and Francis starts to chat tactics. Manager, Ian Jenkins, meanwhile, is in deep conversation with a player beside the touch line in front of the players tunnel.
17:52
Cray Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins says to his squad “give us five minutes in there,” and his troops disappear down the players tunnel ahead of their Ryman League Division One South play-off semi-final against a Worthing side that finished just three points below them in fifth place.
BUILD UP
How are we all feeling? The skies over Hayes Lane here in Bromley are blue and the nerves and excitement is still turning my stomach. At a quarter-to-eight this evening, two Kent clubs, Tonbridge Angels and Cray Wanderers will put us through the drama, tension and excitement of play-off football.
In the build up, both clubs have requested passionate following for tonight’s games, and it would be great if Kent football followers drop their elegancies and flock through the turnstiles at both Hayes Lane and Longmead Stadium.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd