A good performance against Dallington in our last league match of the season, guaranteeing third place in the division.
The first five minutes were keenly contested, with Dallington going closest, shooting narrowly wide, but a strong run from Chris Newbury after six minutes ended with a shot that went in off the left-hand post.
The Dallington goalkeeper pulled off some great saves to keep them in the game, but Ian Dipple held off a defender to score a second goal in the 23rd minute. In the 29th minute Ross McCarter was shielding the ball in the area when he was manhandled and Ben Spring coolly dispatched the penalty.
The second half began much as the first had ended, Dallington battling well, but they didn't have the shape to cope with the larger pitch and they often found themselves outnumbered in midfield and defence when their attacks broke down, and the superior passing of Tonbridge continued to pay dividends.
In the 49th minute Chris Newbury played a superb through ball to Ben Spring and he finished calmly, having been denied by the goalkeeper in a seimilar situation moments earlier. Six minutes later he completed his hat-trick, with a shot that went over the goalkeeper and bounced in off the left-hand post.
Mike Ide had missed a number of chances since coming on at half time, but he finally got on the scoresheet for the first time this year when he was put through by Ben Spring and scored with a shot that crept almost apologetically over the line.
Dallington kept plugging away as Tonbridge became a bit casual at the back and they got a consolation goal with three minutes left.
There were lots of positive performances, but two stood out: Jack Holden had a great game at right back, and Ben Spring who got the nod as man-of-the-match for his hat-trick and all-round display. |