Tonbridge Invicta Under 16's V Sevenoaks Town

GREAT START

SEVENOAKS TOWN 3 TONBRIDGE INVICTA 4

06.09.02

In the fading light of an autumnal evening these two sides battled out an excellent pre-season friendly, which was always keenly contested.

Invicta started well and put some promising moves together early on, but it wasn't long before Sevenoaks started to find their feet in midfield and slowly their pressure began to tell. About 20 minutes into the first period Invicta failed to close down an advancing player. He put a teasing ball across their goal and an opposition forward was on hand to slot the ball home. This clearly gave Sevenoaks confidence and they dominated for the next little while.

Slowly but surely though Invicta fought back into the game and by half time were suggesting that the 1-0 scoreline did not quite reflect the eveness of the play. As the second half got underway it was evident that Tonbridge intended to change that. They were now winning the midfield battle and with only ten minutes gone in the half were back on level terms.

Daniel Powell, who proved too hot to handle for the Sevenoaks defence throughout the game, went on one of his incisive runs. As he entered the Sevenoaks area he was brought down and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Daniel himself insisted on taking the spot kick and buried it in determined fashion in the bottom left hand corner.

Soon Invicta were in front. They began to use the flanks well and a sweetly delivered cross found Daniel Powell in the box. His powerful header proved too juch for the home keeper and the ball was soon nestling in the net. Tonbridge joy grew further as Daniel completed a fine hattrick. Luke Saunders cleverly flicked the ball on for his strike partner and Daniel made no mistake, drilling the ball past the despairing dive of the Sevenoaks goalkeeper before he could be closed down. 3-1.

Invicta probably took their foot off the gas for the next five minutes and Sevenoaks showed they were not out of it. They began to press again and an attack down the left saw a ball cut back to the edge of the box. An advancing midfielder had enough time to steady himself and pick his spot, 3-2.

The game continued to be well contested, with both sides applying pressure, but the Tonbridge side were determined not to let the game slip and with ten minutes remaining scored again. Not surprisingly it was Daniel Powell who slotted home his and the team's fourth after two efforts from Daniel Howse were repelled by the Sevenoaks defence.

Still the scoring wasn't done. Very soon afterwards it was 4-3. A long through ball split the Tonbridge back line and a Sevenoaks forward outstripped them, finishing well with an exquisite chip over the keeper's head.

Invicta needed all their resolve to prevent the home side from levelling, but they held out well to complete an excellent victory, which was all the more sweet in that it avenged last year's defeat by the same side.

There were many encouraging signs for Tonbridge Invicta. Good organisation throughout the side was combined with everyone making important contributions. Matt Styles was particularly impressive at right full back, Daniel Howse worked tirelessly in midfield, as did Luke Saunders up front. Daniel Powell, however, was outstanding and he was named Man Of The Match for his four goals and overall performance.