We finally achieved our first league victory, away against Uckfield United. We only had ten players, but they played better than any team of eleven players we've fielded so far this season.
We started well, dominating the match and went ahead after about seven minutes when Greg Byrne picked up an Uckfield clearance and scored with a long-range shot. Uckfield equalised with their first real shot of the match after about twenty minutes, but we regained the lead when Matthew English scored his first goal just before half time.
We were even more dominant in the second half and created countless chances, but Jamie Hards still had to make a crucial save to keep the score at 2-1. Eventually the pressure paid off and Matthew English scored again.
An Uckfield breakaway five minutes from time led to a goal which made the last few minutes very nailbiting, particularly when Uckfield hit the post with a minute to go. Eventually the final whistle put us out of our misery and we could celebrate a hard-fought but well-deserved victory.
There were so many great performances that singling anyone out for man of the match was very difficult. Jamie Hards had another great game in goal; the back four were very solid, particularly Martin Hill and Mark Harrison in the centre, ably supported by Mark Holden and Ben Spring; Greg Byrne totally bossed the midfield, with Jack Holden and Matthew English making good runs to support the strikers; Jamie Wickham and Michael Ide were very lively up front and seem to be establishing a good partnership.
Mark Harrison was chosen as man of the match, because he was playing in an unfamiliar position, and he produced his best performance in a Tonbridge shirt since the 1999 Fiesta. He was very solid in the tackle, brought the ball forward well and passed intelligently. |