Tonbridge Angels 0-1 Guildford City - We'll fight on and get things right, says Tommy Warrilow

Saturday 11th September 2010

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 0-1 GUILDFORD CITY
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 11th September 2010
Mike Green reports from Longmead Stadium

FORGET the so called magic of the FA Cup – this really was the other end of the spectrum as Ryman Premier League Tonbridge Angels completely outplayed Combined Counties League side Guildford City for 93 of the 94 minutes played, only for the side from Surrey to score the only goal of the game in the remaining minute.

The goal that actually won the game actually came four minutes from time, but left Tommy Warrilow’s beleaguered side with no time to respond to draw level in a contest that if were to be decided on points would have been stopped before the hour mark.

Such was the Angels dominance, that you felt that a goal had to come and when one came, two or three were bound to follow.

But the near silence that greeted Joel Greaves’ winner in the 86th minute really was something to behold as were the scenes of joy on the City bench when the final whistle blew – you’d have thought they had just won the Cup itself.

Compare that to the silence of disbelief that “echoed” around Longmead as the home fans left the ground – a disbelief that was clearly evident on the face of manager Warrilow afterwards as he left the dressing room vowing to “fight on and get things right.”

It was left to his number two Alex O’Brien to talk to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, and O’Brien admitted his disbelief. “Yet again it was another game that we dominated almost from start to finish – we had the ball in the net three time only for the assistants flag to beat us,” he said.

“Thing is that there was always the thought in the back of your mind that as long as it stayed 0-0, they could get a break away, and sadly that’s what happened!”

“Its an old saying that when you’re at the bottom you get no luck whatsoever, and I think we proved that today. But the only way that you turn that around is with your work rate and the players determination, and losing games unfortunately breeds as does winning games and that’s why winning a couple of games back to back is so, so important! Confidence is back and you’re flying, but at the minute, the guys need to realise that we need to get out of the hole that we’ve put ourselves in.”

Yet any neutral at Longmead for the game will have the game bewildered as from the first whistle the Angles probed and pushed looking for the breakthrough that sadly for the Longmead faithful never came.

The home sides first chance came on 23 minutes when Sonny Miles powered a header goal wards (from Jake Beecroft’s driven cross) which saw Guildford keeper Anthony Hall pull off the first of three terrific saves.

Just before the half hour, it was Lee Browning’s turn to be denied as the former Dover man raced clear only to see his shot brilliantly turned aside by Hall, before Sherwin Stanley was denied a far post tap in from the rebound by Graham Tydeman.

Then in stoppage time, Browning should perhaps have done better with a glancing header from Stanley’s cross.

Such was the home sides dominance of the 45 minutes that the only “chance” created by the visitors was a long-range effort from Jayden Gibbs (twin brother of Arsenal and England full back Kieron) that flew into the Stand behind the goal.

The second half began in similar fashion – Beecroft’s driven cross was inches in front of first Stanley, then Frannie Collin and finally Browning at the back post.

The Angels did have the ball in the net on 48 minutes only for Stanley to be adjudged offside as he headed Collin’s cross into the net.

In a rare break Guildford almost took the lead on 54 minutes when the Tonbridge defence made a mess of a long Hall clearance, and Ben Camara (who was extremely lucky to escape punishment after a first half clash with Sonny Miles left the Angels defender pole axed) raced clear and was only denied by a great block from Lee Worgan – the Angels keeper was outside his box when he blocked Camara’s attempt with his chest.

Back came the Angels and Miles headed a Beecroft corner over the bar, before Hall again pulled out all the stops – this time to deny Collin’s header after Stanley’s long throw had been flicked on by the hard working Sam Jones.

The Angels then had a second “goal” disallowed – this time Scott Kinch was deemed offside as he fired home – although the Angels skipper only received the ball from a couple of ricochets, and perhaps on another day the flag would not have been raised!

As the clock ticked by so another Angel’s chance was missed, when on 84 minutes, Collin cut inside and sent a dipping shot inches over the bar from 30 yards.

This though wasn’t to be the Angels day as on 86 minutes Guildford substitute Anthony Bridgeman brushed aside a challenge from Liam Harwood that will probably leave the Angels defender having nightmares, before rolling the ball along the six yard line for Greaves to walk the ball into the empty net.

“I can’t tell you exactly how I’m feeling now as I’m absolutely gutted!” Angels number two O’Brien said after the came in summed up the Longmead mood perfectly.

“It’s going to be a long week until we play again. We’ve got Tuesday and Thursday to see what’s going on – I’m sure that Tommy will be making a few phone calls – we’ll look to start the run now and its up to the players now to put some faith in it and repay the fans!”

Tonbridge Angels: Lee Worgan, Jon Heath, Matt Hollyoak, Sonny Miles, Scott Kinch, Liam Harwood, Lee browning, Sam Jones, Frannie Collin, Sherwin Stanley (Kirk Watts 79), Jake Beecroft.

Subs: Jacob Mingle, Paul Semakula, Danny Walder, Alex O’Brien

Booked: Liam Harwood 90

Guildford City: Anthony Hall, Graham Tydeman (Tom Penson 62), Ben Rayner, Simon Cooper, Jamie Thorogood, Tony Chaplin, Tommy Tydeman (Anthony Bridgeman 79), Will Heavey, Joel Greaves, Ben Camara (Joel Hughes 62), Jayden Gibbs.

Subs: Jack Guilford, Dan Dudley, Luke Bradnick, Tony Arnold

Goal: Joel Graves 86

Booked: Tony Chaplin 8, Tommy Tydeman 37, Graham Tydeman 59, Ben Rayner 70, Simon Cooper 74

ttendance: 385

Referee: Mr Neil West (Leigh on sea, Essex))

Assistants: Mr Michael Smith (Basildon, Essex)) & Mr Jeffrey Stanley (Basildon, Essex)