Blue Square Bet South

Tonbridge Angels    1    Boreham Wood    1

by John Mead

An injury time equaliser left Wood to reflect on the chances they squandered to post a second successive win on the road.   Leading from the ninth minute Ian Allinson’s men were foiled by the League’s leading goal scorer Frannie Collin who came off the bench to hit his twenty-second League goal of the Season in the ninety-second minute.

Mauro Vilhete made his first start for Wood in place of David Hutton in the only change from the team that posted a 0 – 3 victory at Maidenhead United two days earlier.    The game was played at a frenetic pace with Wood quick to the ball and lightning fast on the attack.

Sam Cox controlled the game with a dogged midfield performance which restricted The Angels to playing the long ball into danger.    Daniel Brathwaite thwarted any threat down the right, whilst Charlie O’Loughlin was again robust in the heart of the defence.

Omer Riza saw any early chance cleared off the line by a defender, before Angels Danny Walder struck a free kick just over the Wood crossbar.    A long ball from Osei Sankofa down the right caused the Angels defence problems.    Ben Judge over hit his back pass to ‘keeper Lee Worgan who fluffed his clearance with his weaker left foot, the ball rolling into the path of David Bryant who accepted his gift with aplomb after nine minutes.

A mistake by Omar Beckles allowed Jon Main in on goal but Luke Garrard was on hand to make the important tackle.    Wood should have scored after nineteen minutes.     A quickly taken free kick gave Mario Noto space down the right and his fine cross was met by the unmarked Bryant at the far post. He headed downwards with the goal gaping and his effort bounced over the crossbar.    Riza again showed he is a quality signing with superb footwork, his presence in attack changing the shape of the whole team for the good.

Rory Hill broke well for The Angels down the left squaring for Chris Piper but he got under his shot and skied his effort.    A fine move from Wood followed, involving Riza, Cox and Noto who provided for Brathwaite to cross from the left.    Garrard headed down for Riza who shot just over the crossbar.

Joe Benjamin then shot just over for the home side before Riza blasted another effort over the bar.

The second half continued in an end to end fashion.    Hill’s cross cum shot was held by Elvijs Putnins, with Wood responding with shots from Vilhete and Cox, both held by Worgan.

Collin replaced Main after sixty-three minutes but the next chance fell to Riza who curled his shot wide after good work from Noto.    Noto himself then turned and shot just wide on the edge of the area.

An aerial bombardment of the Wood penalty area broke out with Collin always the target. Walder managed a rare shot on target which Putnins was equal to, then the Wood ‘keeper showed great alertness to gather a fierce header from Sonny Miles.

Sam Lechmere replaced Vilhete and again showed his threat from crosses after contributing the ball for Wood’s third on Saturday.    He picked out Riza who had lost his marker, yet his header came off the top of the crossbar and Angels were still in it.

Then came the coup de grace.    Miles slipped Collin through down the right and he fired low into the bottom left hand corner to secure a point for the home side.

Team:    Putnins, Sankofa, Brathwaite, Cox, O’Loughlin, Beckles, Noto, Garrard, Bryant, Riza (Sub – Lobjoit 90 mins.), Vilhete (Sub – Lechmere 85 mins.).

Subs (Not used):    Hutton, Jones, Jordan.

Goals:    Tonbridge Angels:    Collin 90(+2).            Boreham Wood:    Bryant 9.

Man of the Match:    Sam Cox.

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