Tonbridge Invicta Hurricanes 1     Tunbridge Wells Foresters 3  Sunday 28^th October 2007

League Cup

Real football weather had arrived, with dark clouds and rain greeting the Hurricanes as they took to the field for Round Two of the League Cup.  With only a bare eleven to field there was going to be no respite for the players as they took on the unbeaten Tunbridge Wells Foresters.

The game began brightly with George Jones and Kane Joseph leading an attack towards the Foresters goal, but with three minutes gone, the Hurricanes found themselves trailing 1-0 after a Foresters break proved too quick for the defence.  Hurricanes rallied though with Gabriel Russell and Ryan Hine winning plenty of the ball in the centre of midfield and supplying ammunition for George and Kane.  A Gabe tackle was helped on by Ryan to Kane who burst through on goal but only half-connected with his shot, allowing the keeper to save.  He hasn’t got much of a shot, the keeper probably thought.  Wrong!  Two minutes later, Ryan skilfully eluded a challenge and lobbed the ball through to Kane on the right side of the penalty area; Kane controlled before unleashing a fantastic half-volley that rocketed towards goal, through the flailing hands of  the keeper and into the net!  A terrific strike.  1-1.

Unfortunately, Foresters were quick to regain the lead.  A break on the right wing was only partly blocked out and the ball ran kindly to a Foresters forward who finished well, giving Stanley Hill no chance.  There were few clear cut chances for either team after this.  Will Clark made some well timed defensive tackles in the middle of defence, the full backs Kieron Matthews, right, and Henry Partridge, left, were defending solidly and Sam Greehy was mopping up anything that did get through.  At one point a strong tackle from Kieron resulted in a nose bleed and he started to make his way off the pitch.  The manager was ready for him: “Sorry mate, no subs.  Back you go!” and back Kieron went to play bravely on!  Tom Mair and Elliot Checkley were working hard on the flanks but the battle was an even one and few chances arose.  The Hurricanes’ two best opportunities before half time fell to Elliot and George; Elliot, turning skilfully in the area, got in a good shot that was blocked while George came close with a header from a free kick.  At the other end Stanley was looking assured in goal, coming from his line quickly to thwart some dangerous attacks, and with the only one he didn’t quite judge right, Kieron raced in to clear the danger.  2-1 at half time.

The second half began with a Foresters break up the right wing, ending in a great reaction save from Stanley.  However, with ten minutes gone a left wing Foresters cross split the Hurricanes’ defence and a well-taken goal put them three-one up.  More defending was required as the half wore on with Henry, Will, Sam and Kieron all working hard.  Sam at one point raced back to make a great diving tackle; the ball ran loose to another Foresters forward and Sam was up on his feet, dispossessing him before he had time to control and shoot.  On another occasion, the Foresters left winger had to survive a fierce Kieron tackle, then a fierce Tom tackle, then a fierce Will tackle before seeing Stanley make a great save.  In a different scenario the left winger made the mistake of trying to run through Will - and went down like a ton of bricks!  Strong, resolute defending from the Hurricanes.  Although Foresters had the edge, there was action around their goal too.  A fine, defence-splitting, Elliot cross from the left wing almost created an opening for Kane and a long range Sam shot was only just wide.  Midfield interplay between Gabriel, George and Ryan resulted in Ryan getting in a useful shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it went just wide. 

No more goals but the Hurricanes should take heart from this much-improved performance against a very good Tunbridge Wells Foresters side.  Positioning and communication were all much better and this is encouraging for the next match.

Man of the Match, as voted by the supporters:  Tenacious! Fine reading of the game and inspirational never-say-die defending:  Sam Greehy