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| A great second-half performance gave us our first league win against Tunbridge Wells Foresters 2000 in four attempts. We were able to overcome the loss of some of our best players and the absence of substitutes. With two of our strikers and Greg Byrne missing we had an unfamiliar midfield and forward line. Chris Stewart slotted in alongside Chris Newbury in central midfield and Ben Spring became a makeshift striker alongside Mike Ide. The first half was fairly even, with Tonbridge creating most of the chances, but failing to test the Foresters goalkeeper, and Foresters looking dangerous on the break. It was one such break that led to Foresters taking the lead following some hesitation in midfield. We took the game to Foresters from the start of the second half and Ben Spring levelled the scores in the first minute with a fantastic lofted shot on the turn from the edge of the area. This gave us an instant lift and we put Foresters under constant pressure. Mike Ide cleverly rounded the goalkeeper to score our second goal and Ben Spring won the ball and hit a fierce shot to beat the keeper at the near post. At 3-1 Foresters started to break out of their half and created more chances, but Mike Ide's second goal after good work from Nick Edwards gave us a safety margin and when Ben Spring completed his hat-trick with about ten minutes to go we were able to contain Foresters and secure a great win. It was one of our best team performances of the season. Martin Hill was very solid in defence, Chris Newbury took control of midfield assisted by Chrisses Stewart and Phillips, and Mike Ide took his two goals well and was a constant thorn in the Foresters side on the left. Man-of-the-match was a very tough choice between our captain and vice-captain. Tom Ryan produced an impeccable performance of strength and intelligence in defence and would have been a shoe-in for man-of-the-match had it not been for Ben Spring's match-winning contribution. In an unfamiliar position and only a couple of months after returning from a broken leg, it was his goal out of nothing early in the second half that changed the course of the match. |
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