Late Terrors for Tonbridge

Drizzle, tea and mud. Three words one wouldn't necessarily associate with football culture - well, two words one wouldn't necessarily associate with football culture. But that's what Easter football in the Ryman Premier League was about this afternoon.

Tooting & Mitcham United hosted high-flying Tonbridge Angels at Imperial Fields this afternoon, and they laid on some real holiday entertainment.

Even a goalless first half was gripping. Tooting were easily second best for much of the half but Tonbridge were unable to make the most of their chances. Tooting goalkeeper Dave King was largely comfortable.

The officials were less so. The referee was appalling all afternoon, not helped by a gormless assistant who looked like he was just pleased to have a day outside the mental hospital.

In the first half, the ref dismissed a blatant elbow (there was another in second half injury time) and failed to give Tooting a certain penalty.

In the second, he didn't send off a player for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (maybe twice), didn't bother to even speak to a player who pushed an opponent in the face during an altercation, and played an awful advantage after Terrors striker Dean McDonald was assaulted by the Angels left back. He then told the Tonbridge goalkeeper to put the ball at and decided not to book the offender.

Don't worry though, the defender got his - in style.

After the break, Tonbridge's control of the game strengthened. They were physically stronger than their hosts, and just that bit more assured on the ball. It was no surprise when Angels streaked to a 2-0 lead, particularly with the abject officiating favouring them rather heavily. At that point, it seemed like it was all over - but Billy Smith's boys were having none of it.

At 2-0 down, Terrors really started playing, getting their passing together for the first time in the game. And with five minutes left they were back in the game. A deep cross from the right found left back Andy Howell who arrived right on cue and placed it back across the goalkeeper with a clever sidefoot volley.

But there was no hint of that being a consolation, as Tooting kept battling. In the last minute, McDonald was dumped on his arse in the area and made no mistake with a penalty under pressure.

And McDonald didn't miss his opportunity to taunt the defender who'd pole-axed him earlier - even ruffling his lovely long hair. An amusing moment in fantastic afternoon's entertainment.

(Photo: Tooting Life)

---

Posted by Chris Nee

---