Tonbridge Angels 2 Torquay United 1

Buildbase FA Trophy Third Round Proper, Saturday December 18th

I made my first ever trip to The Longmead Stadium on Saturday for my latest Buildbase FA Trophy Road To Wembley contest in the Last 64, and a late Ibrahim Olutade goal saw Tonbridge Angels upset Torquay United to progress into the Final 32 of the competition.

The hosts had seen off Isthmian North leaders Canvey Island in the last round at Park Lane to set up this tie, although they were pushed all the way in that one, and since that narrow win in South Essex they had failed to win in three, drawing two and losing one, as they continued to struggle for wins in the league, sitting fourth bottom in the division. 

There last league win was way back on October 23rd when they won at Billericay, so an eight game winless run, so a cup run would be a welcome distraction from their poor league form, but they were up against Torquay United, who of course are a level above in the National League, although The Gulls were not having the best of seasons themselves, sitting 16th in the division with seven wins from their nineteen league games so far.

This was The Gulls first game in this seasons competition, and there form over the last few games was mixed, although had produced back to back wins coming into this tie, one of which saw only a second win away from home all season, so could they carry this form into the Trophy and get on a run, they would have certainly began this game as favourites what with them being the professional side and a league above.

This is cup football though, so it doesn't always go to form, and the hosts struck the first blow after nine minutes when a free kick swung into the box by Tom Beere found Joe Turner who managed to glance a header beyond Mark Halstead in the visitors goal, and give the underdogs a fine start in front of over 700 fans on a rather dank and miserable December afternoon.

The Gulls, backed by a healthy contingent from Devon, fired a couple of decent long range efforts just wide of either post, one of those from Jack Sparkes who was looking particularly dangerous, and they also threatened on a couple of other occasions as they certainly looked the more dangerous side going forward, but they had Halstead to thank for keeping the shoreline 1-0 after a couple of decent stops.

Firstly he managed to claw away a cross from Turner which almost found the top corner, and then from that corner Sonny Miles thought he had scored but Halstead somehow tipped his effort wide as well, however nine minutes before the break Torquay did grab a leveller when a ball found Danny Wright all on his own inside the box, the hosts wanted offside but the flag did not come, and the striker lofted a finish over Jonathan Henly and The Gulls were on level terms.

So, 1-1 at the break, and with the favourites edging the first period just about, could they go on and stamp their authority on this tie and make their fitness count in the final part of the contest perhaps? Well, the opening exchanges of the second period were a bit scrappy if truth be told as this battle continued between two committed sides fighting for a Final 32 berth, so it was hard to see which way the tie would go.

Thereafter though it was the hosts who definitely created the better openings, curling one effort just off target, and then seeing a free header misguided well wide of the far post, and then after a mad scramble inside the box, this following what looked like a pull back on striker Tommy Wood inside the bow which was missed by the officials, Luke Jenkins thought he had given the hosts the lead, but it was ruled out for an infringement, much to the hosts dismay.    

Torquay did have their moments in the half too, and their best one by far saw a break away end with Sinclair Armstrong put in on goal, but keeper Henly came out to thwart the big striker and keep his side on parity, it would have been harsh on the hosts had they gone behind, but heading into the final part of the contest, the tie remained level, and penalties were getting closer and closer.

Enter the fray Olutade in the 82nd minute, and his manager Steve McKimm had said to him as he went on "Go and be a match winner", and low and behold four minutes after he came on, he proved just that, as after visiting keeper Halstead had fumbled a cross, a scramble ensued inside the box, and it ended with the substitute bundling home from close range and send his teammates and supporters wild with delight and see his side into Round Four of the competition.

A superb win then for Tonbridge against a professional side in the shape of Torquay United, they will await Monday's draw and see who they get, and they will also want to try and carry this cup form into the league as well and try and get up that National League South table no doubt, as for Torquay, well this was a day to forget, no one likes to be on the end of an upset, so they will now try and carry on their recent good form in the National League and hope they can get up the table as well.

Full Time Tonbridge Angels 2 Torquay United 1