Tulse Hill 2 Tonbridge Invicta Hurricanes 2       Sunday 6^th January 2008

The downpours of December were replaced with bright sunshine as the Hurricanes took to the field for the second half of the season.  The introduction of  some high-pitched screaming as part of the warm-up had some of the spectators wondering about  the manager’s new tactics but at least the Hurricanes were clearly full of energy as the game kicked off.

An early Tulse Hill break saw Stanley Hill saving very well with his legs but the early stages of the game saw few openings for either team.  The Hurricanes back four of Luke Bohanan, Sam Greehy, Will Clark and Henry Partridge were looking very solid and composed and little else got through to Stanley.  Gabriel Russell was joined by new signing Matthew Gibbs in the centre of midfield and both made a good start to the game making some well-timed tackles. 

With ten minutes gone the Hurricanes threatened the Tulse Hill goal for the first time; a Sam clearance found its way through to Ryan Hine, playing up front, he fed Kieron Matthew on the right and the resulting cross flew narrowly across the open goal with the Tulse Hill keeper stranded.  A long range Sam shot then had the keeper momentarily worried before the action turned to the other end.  A right wing break saw a Tulse Hill shot fire past the out-rushing Stanley towards the goal but, just as it seemed destined to cross the goal line, Luke tore back to the rescue and cleared.  It was only a temporary saving though; two minutes later a Tulse Hill corner was smartly headed in from close range, giving the home team the lead…For 50 seconds! The Hurricanes’ response was immediate:  the ball was played to Elliot Checkley, operating on the left flank, and he sent an excellent cross into the box, which Matthew met superbly on the half-volley.  It flashed past the keeper into the corner of the net.  1-1.  And so it stayed until half time.

On balance the Hurricanes had had the edge in the first half.  In the second it was not quite the same.  Early warning signs appeared when Tulse Hill breaks needed excellent defensive tackles from Will and then Henry.  Lewis Floyd, another new signing making his debut, was battling well in mid-field but at one point found himself making a great clearance off the line, in one of several goal-mouth skirmishes.  In another one, Gabe and Stanley made great blocks when the Tulse Hill forwards looked certain to score.  The ball was finally cleared and, against the run of play, Hurricanes suddenly had a good chance when Ryan, put Matthew through one-on-one against the keeper, but the shot was well saved.  Back in the Hurricanes’ defence pressure was mounting.  Twice in the space of five minutes Tulse Hill had the ball in the back of the net, but on both occasions the striker was off side.  Pressure told though eventually.  A Tulse Hill corner was only partially cleared and their forward sent a great shot into the roof of the net from close range.

The minutes ticked away and in a frenzied couple of minutes Hurricanes pressurised the Tulse Hill goal with shots from Henry, Ryan and Gabe being blocked before Sam worked some magic to create space and send a fierce shot narrowly wide.  In the closing few minutes Hurricanes corners saw even Stanley coming into the attack but the equaliser, in fact, came from a throw in:  with nine men waiting in the area Harry Hine, who had played a good game at left back, threw the ball to the furthest man back! Ryan.  What was the plan? the supporters wondered!  No need to worry.  Ryan’s cross into the area confused the Tulse Hill defence and the ball fell to Matthew who controlled superbly before firing in the equaliser.  A great goal.  Just before the final whistle!

Man of the Match, as voted by the supporters:  a terrific debut from two-goal…Matthew Gibbs!