Tonbridge Invicta Under 16's v Horley Town

ONE MORE POINT

TONBRIDGE INVICTA 3 HORLEY TOWN 3

26.01.03

To take 3 points out of 4 against Horley Town so far this season is pleasing and a testimony to how good our squad is this year, but it might have been two points today if we could have held on to the 3-2 lead we had with 10 minutes left!

Horley started well and we were soon on the back foot. Just as we seemed to be getting a grip in the match they scored. It was a scrappy goal, but in essence we did not defend well and allowed them the opportunity. For a while this lifted the opposition, but we found another gear and equalised about 20 minutes in. A great pass from Andrew Jarrett down the channel released Daniel Powell and he made no mistake slotting the ball into the corner of the net for his 24th of the season.

We now had the initiative and only a great save from their goalkeeper, who was outstanding throughout the game, kept a superb volley from Luke Saunders out. Then disaster struck. A needless corner was conceded and we didn't pick up the second ball in the six yard box and one of their forwards was on hand to poke the ball home. 2-1 to them.

To our immense credit we didn't panic and with only 5 minutes of the half remaining we pulled the scores level once more. Some good passing allowed Daniel Howse to have a strike on goal and he drilled the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the Horley goal. 2-2 at half time.

Horley gained the upper hand immediately after the interval, but became increasingly frustrated as they could not convert possession into goals. We stuck to the task and began to mount incisive counter attacks. About half way through the second period a great run from Daniel Powell drew the goalkeeper on the byeline. Daniel then chipped the ball to the centre of the goal where Matt Styles was waiting for a simple tap in.

Could we hold the lead. We did for some 10 minutes or so and had a couple of opportunities to extend it before Horley were able to equalise to complete the scoring. This was another goal that we should not have conceded and it was ultimately very aggravating that we were unable to take all the points from this game.

We are averaging about 3 goals per game at the moment, which says a lot about our attacking play, but we are simply conceding too many as well. If we can address this problem then we should start taking two and not one point out of games.

It was good to see Tom Collins back to something like his best today and he was awarded Man Of The Match for his performance at full back. Daniel Powell ran him close though with another display that constantly menaced the opposition's defence.