Tonbridge Invicta Under 16's v Battlebridge Boys Elite

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TONBRIDGE INVICTA 5 BATTLEBRIDGE BOYS ELITE 1

10.11.02

Having suffered a Cup exit and their first League defeat of the season in the previous two weeks, Tonbridge Invicta were anxious to get their title challenge back on track as soon as possible.

In soggy conditions they entertained Battlebridge Boys at their Swanmead home. Spirits were soon lifted when they got themselves in front within 5 minutes of the start. A well flighted free kick from Luke Saunders was flicked on and Man Of The Match Jason Carroll, arriving at the back post, sent a sweetly met heeder into the Battlebridge net.

The next part of the game was evenly contested with chances at both ends but Invicta doubled their lead on 20 minutes. Striker Daniel Powell made no mistake after being presented with a one on one chance with the keeper following a poor clearance.

The visitors, however, had not come to make the numbers up and they worked hard to blunt the home attack, applying some pressure of their own. For the next 15 minutes they were the hungrier side. So It was a body blow for them when Tonbridge skipper Andy Roberts scored to make it 3-0. He got the perfect reward for chasing a back pass as his block challenge rebounded into the net.

Tonbridge started brightly in the second period and missed a golden opportunity to put the game beyond Battlebridge with only five minutes played. This seemed to give the Surrey side fresh hope, however and only a few minutes later they had pulled a goal back. Invicta failed to clear their lines following a free kick and the bail was drilled low and hard into the home net.

Battlebridge fought hard to get back Into the game, but the longer it went on the more comfortable Invicta seemed to become. Their back four led by Jamie Hayes and Neil Wilson remained resolute and they really began to get the ball down, playing some attractive football at times. A thunderbolt strike put them 4-1 up. Paul Muddle went to the bye line down the right and pulled it back for Daniel Powell. The forward unleashed an unstoppable shot from just outside the area.

Towards the end midfielder Daniel Howse's shot proved too hot to handle for the Battlebridge keeper and the scoring was complete at 5-1.

The Tonbridge side were clearly delighted with the result and the fact that they remain League Leaders!