Tonbridge Invicta Under 16's v Oxted & District

DAZZLING SECOND HALF DISPLAY

OXTED & DISTRICT 1 TONBRIDGE INVICTA 9

02.03.03

It has been sometime since Tonbridge Invicta really played to their full potential. They have competed well since Christmas without really dominating games, but this match was to see all that change.

Playing at Master Park in Oxted on a pleasant Spring day, Invicta soon got ahead. A lovely through ball from skipper and Man Of The Match Andrew Roberts on five minutes set Daniel Powell free, and he drove in towards goal, unleashing an unstoppable shot that gave the Oxted keeper no chance.

It wasn't long, however, before the home team were level. Tonbridge allowed a forward too much space on the edge of the penalty area and he found the bottom right hand corner of their net. The rest of the first period was reasonably evenly contested. Invicta were creating the better chances but seemed unable to find the killer punch. Just before the break, though, Daniel Powell grabbed their second with some tenacious play in the Oxted six yard box, slotting the ball home whilst on the ground. 2-1 at half time.

The second half performance by Tonbridge was quite simply a different class. From the restart they instantly got a vice like grip on the game and began to pass the ball delightfully. Luke Saunders made it 3-1 from a Jason Carroll cross and then the roles were reversed when Carroll converted a Saunders corner with a powerful header for 4-1. An own goal from an Oxted defender made it 5 and then Daniel Powell notched two more well worked goals to give him 31 for the season.

It was now 7-1 and the whole Invicta team was really buzzing, everyone making a contribution to an irresistible team effort. Daniel Howse finished the scoring off with two fine goals, both products of incisive passing and movement.

There are few teams that could have lived with Invicta's second half display. They must now try to perform to this high standard more consistently, as they challenge for the League title.