MATCH REPORT | Hemel Town 1-0 Tonbridge Angels

Written by Allan Mitchell

There was a case of Déjà vu at the end this closely fought encounter but this time it ended in a good way for the Tudors who took all three points with a last minute winner. They came into the game off the back of a tough visit to Chelmsford on Monday only then it was The Clarets who had inflicted a heartbreaking last minute loss, scoring in the 96th minute to win the game by the only goal.

As with the Monday game this one looked to be heading for a goalless stalemate as we moved deep into injury time but a late free kick into the box caused confusion and panic in the Angels defence, there was a few seconds of head tennis before the ball dropped to Darion Dowrich at the back post and he gleefully lashed the ball into the roof of the net to win the points for the Tudors, a win that sent them back into the play off places.

It was tough on Tonbridge but the perfect ending for Hemel after the disappointment of the defeat in Essex on Monday and it has to be said that it was a deserved win on the balance of play, especially in the second period.

The first half wasn’t a great watch with both sides cancelling each other out for long periods.

There was an early chance for the Tudors when a cross from the left was headed back across to the back post where Isiah Noel-Williams was waiting, he struck his effort first time but a defender just got across to block the goal bound effort.

Charlie Rowan suffered an injury shortly after and had to be replaced on 10 minutes, leaving Lee Allinson no choice but to drop Kyran Wiltshire into the back four and giving him another injury headache with the loss of another centre half which leaves him short on numbers at the back.

Sean Shields saw a decent effort well saved by Michael Johnson after 20 minutes and Tonbridge appeared to be gaining a slight upper hand as the first half progressed without really creating too much and it was something of a relief when the referee blew her whistle to bring an end to a pretty dour 45 minutes.

Half time score 0-0

The second half followed in much the same way but Hemel started to get on the front foot more after a couple of substitutions. Mauro Vilhete made an instant impact and the introduction of Aston Ellard on the other wing forced the Angels to drop deeper and it looked as though the Tudors might just be able to break the deadlock as the clock ticked down.

Kyran Wiltshire saw a well struck shot canon off the foot of the post and Ellard had a shot saved after he had wriggled into the box. Ellard set Noel-Williams up after another good run but his flicked effort was easily dealt with by Rowley.

The referee added an extra five minutes on at the end of the 90 and Tonbridge tried to use some of that time up but the official was having none of it, booking Rowley after he took an age to take a goal kick and it came back to haunt the visitors as the Tudors scored their late late winner in the sixth minute of extra injury time that she added on.

Lee Allinson said he was delighted with the win and the effort his players showed but agreed that whilst it wasn’t a great watch it was a dogged performance and all that matters is the three points. He hopes Charlie Rowan’s injury isn't too serious as he is down to the bare bones with defenders just now, they will assess him during the week.

Attendance: 651

Tudors Man of the Match: Darion Dowrich