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| The most important and probably the most exciting match we've ever been involved in, played in a great spirit by both teams. We needed two points from our last two games to be sure of the title, but an away match against the only team that had beaten us in the league this season was always going to be difficult, particularly as we were without two of our ever-present defenders, including vice-captain Tom Ryan, and only had eleven players. Langton were also without their normal goalkeeper, which became an important factor. The game didn't start auspiciously as we lost the toss, which meant our tiring players would have to play uphill on a heavy pitch in the second half. We were also lucky not to concede a penalty for handball in the first minute. The reorganised defence looked hopelessly at sea and we went behind after six minutes. Jamie Wickham got us back into the match by equalising within a minute.
The defence was put under more pressure and Langton scored again in the 16th and 19th minutes. With the score at 3-1 the chances of winning the title that day seemed to have evaporated, but Jamie Wickham started to have the run of the left wing and the defence started to organise better. With the score at 3-3 Tonbridge looked like going behind again when a Langton forward went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but James Faulkner made a great save to keep the scores level. Three minutes later we took the lead, Ross McCarter sneaking a shot in from a pass by Jamie Wickham. The second half with almost constant Langton pressure and goalkeeper James Faulkner made a string of amazing saves to preserve the lead. Against the run of play, Tonbridge got a fifth, Jamie Wickham completing his well-deserved hat trick after great work on the right wing and a perfect pass from Mike Ide. The luxury of a two-goal cushion was only to last five minutes, as the Langton number 9 scored their fourth after being put through by the best pass of the game. The momentum swung back to Langton and the remainder of the game was played almost exclusively in the Tonbridge half. James Faulkner continued to make great saves, and Langton hit the post and the crossbar, but Tonbridge seemed to have 11 captains. Everyone became vocal, offering encouragement and making sure no one let the side down. Everyone from Tonbridge was very relieved when the full-time whistle went. There were some outstanding performances, particularly James Faulkner's great saves, and Jamie Wickham with his three goals and two assists. Greg Byrne bossed the midfield and Ben Spring started to get the defence working, despite playing in an unfamiliar position, with both players carrying knocks, but the whole team were chosen as man-of-the-match. We are the champions! |
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