The visit of Tenterden Tigers was the match of the season so far. Their two victories over Langton Green had lifted them to the top of the table and established them as our main rivals for the championship.

We started very solidly, passing the ball really well. It was clear that the players weren't going to freeze, as they had against Langton Green. Tenterden were very solid through the middle and carried a threat from a couple of very quick forwards, but they found Chris Newbury too hard to handle.

In the 25th minute he made a very strong run and made a great turn to burst into the penalty area from the left-hand side, but he was brought down. Ben Spring continued to be very reliable from the spot as the slotted the penalty to the keeper's left.

Tonbridge continued to play the better football, but ironically Tenterden equalised as Tonbridge's best move of the match broke down. Six Tonbridge players had been involved in a great piece of first-time passing, but Tenterden broke quickly and played a great ball inside the defenders, giving James Faulkner no chance.

The Tonbridge players weren't down at half-time as they realised they had totally dominated the game, but they didn't start the second half well, making very casual clearances right from the kickoff and allowing the Tenterden midfield far too much time and space.

Keeper James Faulkner had to make a great save to keep the scores level, but we got more into the game as the half went on. Ben Spring had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the keeper made a great save. He had also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when he was pushed in the back in the area.

The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Ross McCarter ran on to a great through ball from Chris Newbury. The Tenterden keeper saved his first effort, but he made no mistake with the rebound.

Jamie Wickham almost increased the lead when he spotted the Tenterden keeper off his line and almost found the net with a shot from the left-hand touchline, just ahead of the halfway line.

Greg Byrne, who had again won just about every header in midfield, dropped back to sit in front of the defence and Ben Spring moved back into midfield as we sought to protect the lead, and there was an anxious last fifteen minutes, but the boys dug in to earn a well-deserved win and replace Tenterden Tigers at the top of the table.

There were so many good performances that man-of-the-match was difficult to call, so in the end the whole team were chosen as man-of-the-match. However, particular mention should be made of Tom Ryan, who was a rock at the heart of the defence, Greg Byrne for his ball-winning, Chris Newbury for his superb through balls and strong running, and Jamie Wickham who has developed into a player who works hard for the team and covers well. Happy days.