Tunbridge Wells will have been kicking themselves for not securing all three points at a windswept and dusty Northdane Way on Saturday.
After an opening ten minutes which saw the two teams trying to adjust to the conditions with both goalkeepers tested once, the visitors gradually gained the upper hand in terms of tackles and headers won and territory occupied. The Lordswood defence was hanging on by the skin of its teeth and breathed a collective sigh of relief when Mike Lord floated a free-kick over after he had been fouled just outside the box.
The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Jon Pilbeam was put clear to round Beresford in the Lordswood goal and slot in to an empty net. For a while the Wells looked like they would double their advantage and a wonderful spell of possession down the right saw Mike Lord cut in before his delicate finish was carried wide by the wind.
The home team had a great opportunity to square the game a minute later but a shot from a central position was comfortably gathered by Michal Czanner as the ball was hit straight at him. Then in stoppage time it was the Wells who went close as their big guns caused panic at the back before the ball just cleared the frame of the goal after a couple of touches.
Early in the second half Matt Newman saw his effort from the edge of the box dip a fraction wide but the inspirational midfielder was soon to receive a knock which, perhaps, changed the complexion of the game.
Former Wells manager Kevin Metcalf gambled on making a double substitution with a full half hour to go and this had the effect of energizing his troops to fresh endeavours but with little product. Newman eventually limped off in the 71st minute and almost instantly the Wells survived a scare as an innocuous free-kick from the left bounced off the hard pitch and over the bar.
Chances for the hosts were at a premium with Perry Spackman and James Russell looking comfortable in the heart of the defence and Jason Bourne and Brad Draper the image of composure at full back. Nevertheless a throw from the right drifted across to Lloyd Gofton whose deft shot produced the best from Czanner.
Finally in the 81st minute a free-kick was punted in long from the left and the ball bounced and scuffed its way through the legs of two Wells players before being diverted in to the back of the net by Eather.
The Wells tried to rally late on and Draper’s long cross stuck on the chest of Pilbeam who was free at the back post before another ball in from the left was very nearly turned in to an own goal by the Lordswood full-back with the referee poised to blow the final whistle.
Honours even then in a match which involved so many friends and former colleagues. Disappointing for the Wells but there will have been much cheer over the bar afterwards with many an old acquaintance renewed.
Martin Larkin explained afterwards, "The result was disappointing, as obviously we go into every game wanting to win it. The pitch and the wind had a real impact on the game but once again I felt we were in control having taken the lead, in that we never looked like conceding.
"Matt Newman was very good operating on the right, and he found a lot of space - and with slightly better pass selection he would have possibly opened Lordswood up enough times for us to win comfortably. Jon Pilbeam took his goal very well, and James Russell and Brad Draper did very well in their first starts in the back four this year.
"Defensively we looked very secure until a looping free kick confused everyone when it got caught in the wind and unfortunately they reacted quicker than we did. The fact that we were so disappointed with a point away from home shows how high the standards are that we and the players have set ourselves. We have a two-game unbeaten platform to work with now, and I trust the players here to improve and continue accruing points.
"We welcome a couple of players back to the club this week, one of whom we are all very excited about, so things continue to move in the direction planned." |
