No Angels

So finally, a home Saturday game arrived, having not been to TP on a Saturday since the Eastbourne game on 1^st December this was most welcome. The day had a lovely spring quality to it, and after the harsh cold of the last few games it was a joy not be shivering into multiple layers.

We met at the Horse where spirits weren’t high as we discussed the problems within the team, although I did mention the 4-3 away win, and hoped to at least see some goals from the day.

On arrival, we found out that livewire Kerry Morgan was on from the start, and two forwards were playing in Griffin and Chamberlain. This must be a good omen for an exciting, attacking first half.

Sadly, this was not to be the case, and instead an appallingly bad half of football was played out. Tonbridge had a few opportunities, Chamberlain should have shot, but instead he elected to play a square ball that Griffin was no where near, Charlie also had a chance from a corner cleared off the line, but that was the height of the entertainment for the first 44 minutes.

Morgan was trying his hardest, but as has been the case many times this season it is as though he tries to hard to impress, which came out in two rash challenges, both on the unfortunate Elphick, the first lunging tackle probably warranted a yellow, while the second in the dying seconds of the half gained Kerry a deserved yellow card.

Morgan was involved in the first goal though, he crossed to Noah Keats, whose shot was palmed by keeper Lee Worgan back to Griffin, Charlie’s shot managed to hit the post, roll along the line before unbelievably hitting the opposite post and bouncing into play. Thankfully Keats from an acute angle managed to thrash the ball home. So at half time City went in one up.

The first half was so poor though, that I decided to go to Charlie’s for a half time pint. The clubhouse seemed reasonably busy, and we chatted over a swift pint before heading back into the ground, just as the game kicked off. Gethin had injured himself, so Keats dropped to right back with Allen coming into midfield. As we walked to the Popular Side, we came across a Bradford Town Youth FC team, looking resplendent in their maroon and blue kit and Tim greeted them warmly.

Attacking the Bristol End, City seemed much more up for it and Morgan in particular was attacking at pace, released quite often by a reinvigorated Marc Canham. Tonbridge were continually fouling, niggly fouls all of the pitch, and jumping through Griffin.

Just before the hour mark City extended their lead, Chamberlain picked Morgan out in acres of space on the left, Kerry cut inside the full back before curling a shot past the keeper and into the bottom corner. An immaculate finished and Morgan celebrated with a knee slide towards the Popular Side singers.

Minutes later Morgan was again released down the line, the tricky winger knocked the ball past Schulz and the lumbering centre half scythed Morgan down. The tackle was pretty awful, catching Morgan around the top of the thigh and sending him flying, Kerry perhaps milked the injury, but rightly the Tonbridge player was given his marching orders. As Kerry walked off the pitch he winked not once, but twice at the crowd! The little man had clearly been hamming it up in a performance Alan Richman would be proud of. Nevertheless, it was a clear sending off.

It was clear there was no way back for Tonbridge, and almost immediately Griffin attempted a lob which was easily saved. Moments later though, Chamberlain broke down the right of the area and slid a ball across to Griffin who finished easily, 3-0 and the crowd was enjoying it.

Griffin almost scored again (I thought he had and started celebrating, it was that close!) , before being replaced by Jordan Walker, while Norris came on for Morgan in what was the wideman’s best starting performance so far.

City could, maybe should have won by a cricket score, with Chamberlain having plenty of chances, the referee also inexplicably turned down a nailed on penalty. Walker burst into the box, was fouled (his boot came off!) but somehow the referee didn’t give it. The tackle was so far from the ball I do not know how it wasn’t given.

Brad Norris spurned a glorious opportunity to score his first senior goal, when Chamberlain picked him out, but like Griffin slightly earlier the frontman placed his shot just wide of the post. The whistle sounded and City had won their first home game since November.

The stripes played much better from around 35 minutes, and the crowd was treated to a convincing win, I had almost forgotten how much fun having a sing down Twerton can be. I will not get over excited though, as there is always the chance City’s Jekyll and Hyde nature will show at home to Truro City on Saturday.