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Another solid performance against one of the
pre-season favourites enabled the Terrors to move above half
way in the Ryman Premier. Martin Grants impressive cameo at
Tonbridge was enough to earn him his second start for the
club, with Colin Hartburn moving into the middle to replace the
injured McLeod.
Billys perseverance with three central
defenders does now seem to be paying off. Joe Vines
again lead by example, but as a unit, they could not be
faulted. With the engine running smoothly the pistons on
either side could also work at full steam as Deano and Jamie
Byatt made full use of the full length of the pitch,
defending tenaciously and going forward with real menace.
Meanwhile, several Colin Hartburns were enjoying running the
central patch.
Tooting started brightly, but made
little impression where it counted and it was AFC who had the
first serious chance, Walker saving from Greens low shot. On
the quarter hour a Hartburn free kick was followed up by Joe
Vines, whose close range effort was scrambled away for a corner. The resulting
penalty area ping pong enabled Byatt to set up Abbey, who
could not finish the job. Both teams created a couple more
half chances, but the only sustained spell came from the
Terrors shortly before half time. Two fouls from the returning
Des Boateng, who was fortunate to escape the book, provided
free kicks in good positions just outside the area. The
first crashed into the defensive wall from Byatt. The corner
generated from the second, the result of a Hartburn headed
attempt, produced one of those crazy scenes as the low cross
rolled along the six yard line, eluding a range of lunges and
dives from both sides, until it reached Joe Vines at the back
post who decisively drilled it several miles behind the
terraces..
Half Time
0 -
0
Dean
Hamlin carried on where he left off, notably in setting up a
chance for Jason Pinnock in the 52nd minute. Martin Grant
demonstrated that he is more than just a target man with some
clever off the ball movement that created space for Dave
Stevens, who shot just over the bar. A minute later Byatt set
Stevens up, this time it went wide. The next Byatt
delivery found Martin Grant free behind a clutch of stationery
defenders and he made no mistake. Two in two appearances! The
visitors finally stirred themselves, but made little
impression against the solid Terrors rearguard, confidently
marshalled by Walker. However, the more they pushed on, the
greater the danger from counter attacks. Joe Vines, who was
showcasing what we will miss over the next week or so whilst
he serves his suspension, cut out an attack in the six yard
box an marauded down the left, brushing off several
challengers. Amazingly Mr Collins could see nothing
wrong with the challenge that finally uprooted him deep in
opposition territory. Vernon
Francis' first appearance of the season was enthusiastically
received when he replaced Stevens for the last quarter of an
hour and he was involved in setting up the killer blow shortly
before the end as Byatts low shot ballooned high into the air
off a defenderightly, returning to earth several seconds later
over the head of Brightly, who could only help it into the
net. A
special final mention to Laurie Walker, who finished his loan
spell with a new army of fans. He's done a great job for us.
Thanks Laurie!
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