Tunbridge Wells FC - FA Vase Second Round Proper

It was always going to be a tough match against Tunbridge Wells and it was certainly nail-biting for the last 15 minutes after going down to 10 men and only ahead by a single goal. The tensest match for The Lingers since leading 1-0 in the Surrey Premier Cup Final in 2019 as the clock ticked down. Happily, as then, the lads held on to take us into the Third Round for the second time in our history and a record fifth match in a season’s competition.

From the kick-off we pushed forward and Haydn Dickinson fired a shot over from the corner of the box. As the half progressed it is fair to say that we were not at our best and lacked some fluency as a result of not having played since our win in the FA Vase Second Round. There was a scare when Jack Webb-Olley was closed down while in possession but the ball went out for a goal kick. On 18mins Jay Simpson fired a shot in from the left but a minute later it was Tunbridge Wells who should have scored. Their centre-back had a free header from a corner on the left but guided his header a foot or so past our lefthand post. Shortly after, Tunbridge Wells had a shot from another corner but this went wide. With 24mins on the clock, Jimmy Williams headed a ball onto Richard Wetton on the right edge of the box, who controlled the ball and shot across the keeper into the bottom left corner of their net for 1-0. For the rest of the first half Tunbridge Wells had more of the ball but failed to create any real chances. For us, Alec Campbell had a shot from distance that went wide.

The second half nearly started with a disaster as in the first minute the ball came to a Tunbridge Wells player from one of defenders so playing him onside but a scramble saw the ball cleared. Williams then made a good headed clearance from a ball into our box. On 49mins Simpson advanced down the left and into their box but was tackled before he could have a shot. Tunbridge Wells had a shot from outside the box that flew wide to the left but the next chance fell to Simpson having again made good progress on the left but lifted his shot over the bar. In the 58th minute, Webb-Olley was required to save a shot from Tunbridge Wells. A second goal would really calm the nerves and on 61mins Williams was clear on the right, went towards the bye-line, cut in, but his cross was gathered by the keeper. Minutes later, Luke Richardson made a good block to keep a shot out and keep our lead intact. Time for change on 65mins as Jason Stripp came on for Rhyan Ramsey.

After Tunbridge Wells having another off target shot, Williams was once again clear of the Tunbridge Wells backline on the right. He drove forward into the box, had his shot saved, but could not force home the rebound with his shot hitting the side netting. On 70mins Dennis Asante came on for goal scorer Wetton to keep up our energy levels and a minute later Williams had a chance from the left but was off target. Tunbridge Wells had a chance on 73mins that was well saved by Webb-Olley and the resulting corner was cleared. Then on 75mins there was a tangle to the right of our box between Richardson and the Tunbridge Wells No. 2, with both players on the ground. Suddenly the red card was out and Richardson was sent off. It looked like a bit of handbags right in front of the linesman, who had not indicated anything being wrong, and a very hasty decision from the referee. Eventually the referee did consult the linesman and the red card stood but surprisingly nothing for their player – possibly a yellow each was the better decision.

Could that be a game changer? The resulting free kick ended up over the bar. If anything, the lads took inspiration from going down to ten men and created some good chances. On 80mins Asante shielded the ball well and got into the box but his shot was saved. Simpson had a shot from the left deflected over for a corner on 84mins and then he set up Campbell for a shot and a bit more fingernail disappeared after it flew over. Tunbridge Wells were pressing forward for an equaliser to take it to a penalty shoot out while the lads were putting in the tackles and blocks to keep us ahead. Stripp took possession in midfield and played a good ball out to the left for a flying Stephen Hodge to take forward. As he drove towards their box, the ball got away from him and over the goal line. Simpson had a good chance to settle it in added time and nerves shredded as Tunbridge Wells had a free kick on the edge of the box. Fearing a beautifully curled equaliser, the kick hit the wall, and we breathed again. As the rain fell nothing could dampen the cheer that went up as the final whistle blew shortly after.

The tight 1-0 win took us into the Third Round Proper and a home draw against Deal Town on Saturday 2 December which will postpone our league match against Horsham YMCA. The Man of the Match award went to Alec Campbell for a sterling performance in midfield.