Tunbridge Wells FC - Supporters

'Match reviews' kindly provided by long term Tunbridge Wells fan Andy Thomson

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2nd November 2024

Tunbridge Wells II 3 Godstone 1

After a flying start to their first Mid Sussex Premier campaign the Seconds have had a blip or two but returned to winning ways with a win against Godstone that was comfortable enough in the end but saw the Wells have to fight back from a goal down. A typical Finn Hartley run after seven mins took him past several defenders before being crowded out, falling for Phil Abbott whose shot was blocked. Two minutes later a big chance as Max Lambert was put through in the right channel but tucked the ball just the wrong side of the near post. The visitors then had a decent spell with a dangerous low ball into the box that ran through to Tommy Sceal in goal, followed by a volleyed effort just wide and then a long ranger that flew just over. But it was Wells who came within a whisker of opening the scoring as a throw from the left into the box on 38 mins reached Fin Wolvey who crashed his shot against the underside of the crossbar, the ball bouncing out to safety. Four minutes later a low ball in from the right seemed to give Godstone’s centre forward a free run on goal but poor control meant he had to turn back and try a difficult chip over Sceal which was comfortably cleared. Lambert then steered a far post header to Abbott who saw his own header hacked away from the goal line before, on 44 mins, Godstone took the lead. A low shot looked like it was covered by Sceal but the ball squirmed over him and trickled agonisingly over the line as Sceal tried desperately to reach it with his outstretched leg. Lambert had a decent effort tipped over before the half time whistle blew with Wells a goal down.

HT 0-1

In the early stages of the second half it looked like the visitors might extend their lead with Sceal racing out of goal to meet a dangerous through ball, the ball hitting Sceal and going over the bar. A fierce shot after 53 mins was tipped round the post by Sceal before just past the hour mark, Wells levelled things up. An excellent free kick delivery into the box from Zak Wolvey was headed past the onrushing keeper by Reece Anderson. The visitors again responded with a couple of half chances, one a close range shot blasted over the bar from a corner. But Wells wrapped the game up with two goals in the space of six minutes. A great move after 77 mins saw Zak Wolvey set Lambert free down the right and his cross into the middle was driven home by Fin Wolvey. Then a gift after 83 mins as an Anderson free kick was dropped by the keeper at the feet of Lambert who gratefully poked the ball over the line. A long range effort from Godstone drew a good save from Sceal but Wells saw the game out easily enough.

 

Team: Tommy Sceal, Micky Mantle, Ron Little, Reece Anderson, Lenny Minihane, Zak Wolvey, Fin Wolvey, Max Lambert, Finn Hartley, Phil Abbott, Rockie Burke. Subs: Connor Knight, Ollie Thomson, Jamie Bidston, Loic Lewis

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22nd October 2024

Tunbridge Wells 3 Pagham 1

The Wells eased their way into the second round of the FA Vase with a second successive 3-1 win at the Culverden. It was a deserved win as despite the visitors having a lot of the ball they didn’t do too much with it. Wells threatened first in the second minute as Josh MacArthur-Nolan released Regan Corke down the right and his low cross into the middle was just behind Jacob Feasey. After 13 minutes a long Harry Hudson throw from the right found Jack Walder whose shot was blocked. Pagham carved out a chance on 22 mins as a long ball down the left was headed on and driven wide of the near post. But just a minute later the home team had the lead and it was goal scoring machine Jack Walder powering a header from a corner on the right past the helpless keeper. Just after the half hour mark Walder was the provider, hanging up a floating free kick to the far post where Feasey nodded just wide. On 39 mins a vital second was secured as Feasey played a clever through ball to Corke on the right who skinned the defender and slammed his shot into the far corner.

HT 2-0

A fast start to the second half from Wells as they looked to put the game to bed. First Corke fired in a shot from the left which the keeper parried and then an equally fierce effort from Feasey on the right which the keeper also dealt with well. Unwin replaced Nolan on 62 mins and eight minutes later Pagham found a way back into the game in strange circumstances. Their tricky number seven turned nicely and got clipped for what everyone thought was a free kick outside the box. But after consulting with his assistant the ref pointed to the spot and the penalty was dispatched into the left corner. Fortunately it didn’t matter too much. After 75 mins Kamara played the ball out to Corke on the right and he delivered a low cross into the middle that was calmly steered past the keeper by Feasey. It seemed like job done and Ivesy rang the changes with Jack Gallagher, Ryan Hine and Rhys Bartlett coming on for Corke, Mo Alaka and Feasey. In time added on, Bartlett had a long ranger tipped round the post as Wells looked to add to their tally. SCFL leaders Hassocks await in the next round.

 

Team: George Bentley, Kazeem Richards, Mo Alaka, Harry Hudson, James White, Josh Woodliffe, Josh MacArthur-Nolan, Jack Walder, Jacob Feasey, Festos Kamara, Regan Corke. Subs: James Shield, Rhys Bartlett, Lewis Unwin, Ryan Hine, Jack Gallagher

 

Attendance: 102

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19th October 2024

Westfield 2 Tunbridge Wells II 1

Wells Seconds departed the Mid Sussex Senior Charity Cup at the second round stage after a hard fought game against Westfield who have big ambitions and a new covered stand to match. It was the away team who dominated the early stages in terms of possession, pinging the ball about nicely on a surface that had stood up well to the heavy rain. But it was the home side who then carved out the clearer chances, a long range effort deflected wide after 11 minutes. This was followed by a great double save by Wells’ 16 year old debutant keeper Charlie Brown, who parried a fierce shot from an angle and then clawed away the subsequent ricochet off defender Len Minihane. Brown blocked another effort with his legs before Wells then created some chances of their own. On 21 mins, a long ball down the right channel found Jack Gallagher and he cut inside and fired just over from the edge of the box. Harry Hudson tried his luck from a free kick shortly after but again the effort went just over the top. On 27 mins Ollie Thomson played the ball out to Reece Anderson on the left whose low ball was stepped over by Thomson and struck just too high by Gallagher. After this flurry of Wells attacks it was Westfield who broke down the other end and took the lead just after the half hour mark. A long ball was not dealt with allowing the Westfield centre forward time and space on the left side of the box and he struck the ball firmly into the far corner. Just six minutes later Wells were level as Gallagher fired in a long range effort which deflected into Jamie Bidston’s path and he tucked the ball past the advancing keeper.

HT 1-1

Wells were caught napping at the start of the second half as a shot from the left side of the box smacked the far post. Shortly after, Anderson played the ball down the left for Thomson who laid off for the advancing Gallagher to fire into the keeper’s midriff. This was followed by a big chance for the home team as a cross from the left picked out an unmarked player in the middle who miskicked when it looked easier to score. As the play switched from one end to the other, a great cross field ball from Fin Wolvey picked out Anderson on the left but the shot went into the side netting. On 56 mins came the decisive goal as a ball through the middle of the Wells defence was intercepted but only into the path of a Westfield player who tucked it low into the net. The play continued to switch from one end to the other in a very even game. On 71 mins a ball in from the left was just out of Hudson’s reach and then, at the other end, a close range effort was blocked and the follow up fired over. On 80 mins, a big chance for a Wells equaliser as an Abbott corner on the left picked out Hudson in the middle but he fired over. The away team kept pressing to the end but sadly ran out of time.

 

Team: Charlie Brown, Lenny Minihane, Micky Mantle, Duncan Ibbotson, Harry Hudson, Zak Wolvey, Reece Anderson, Ollie Thomson, Jack Gallagher, Fin Wolvey, Jamie Bidston. Subs: Phil Abbot, Loic Lewis, Ron Little, Macwall Baffoe, Jamie McCloy

 

Attendance: 85 (headcount)

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6th October 2024

Sutton Athletic 2 Tunbridge Wells 0

Not much for the neutrals to get excited about on groundhopper weekend apart from a stirring finale to the game that unfortunately went the home team’s way. For the vast majority of the game it had goalless draw written all over it, but it was Wells who had the best of the half chances. The first of these came on 7 mins as Harry Hudson crossed from the left but Jacob Feasey guided his header well wide of the target. Ten minutes later Feasey released Regan Corke down the right and his low cross into the box was whipped off Festos Kamara’s toes by a defender. Sutton had shown very little in an attacking sense but a ball was flashed across the Wells box after 28 mins, without a finishing touch. On 33 mins James Shield picked up what looked a harsh yellow for clipping a home player who made the most of the challenge. With the clock reaching 45 mins, Wells conjured probably their two best chances of the half. First Kamara wriggled through the defence on the left side of the box but the keeper was able to block the close range effort, then from a Lewis Unwin cross Feasey buried a header into the keeper’s midriff when either side of him would have broken the deadlock. There was just time for a home player on the edge of the box to drag an effort wide before a rather uneventful half drew to a close.

​HT 0-0

​Sutton had the first opportunity in the second half as a corner from the left on 53 mins was met with a free header that went wide. Two minutes later Corke unleashed a shot from distance which the keeper palmed away at full stretch. After 64 mins another Corke effort as he cut in from the left flew over the bar. On 80 mins he was involved in the action again, producing a cross which was flicked towards goal by Kamara but Jack Glassborrow in the home goal pulled off another good save. From the resulting corner Wells were a whisker away from grabbing the lead as James White cushioned the cross towards goal where it was cleared off the line. Ivesy then shuffled his pack, initially swapping Kamara for Rory Ward and then bringing on Jack Gallagher, Rhys Bartlett and Jack Walder for Shield, Feasey and Josh MacArthur-Nolan. Into the closing stages Wells went close a couple of times. First Hudson fired in a low cross from right to left which was just out of the reach of Bartlett and Gallagher. Then from a Ward free kick on the right to the far post the ball was headed back across goal to Bartlett who applied the finish, but the flag went up for offside. As the match entered the last couple of minutes it was completely turned on its head. First, a cross curled into the box from the right was flicked past George Bentley from close range by Elias Ahmed. Then, after the home side had hit the post, Taylor Fisher curled a superb long range effort beyond Bentley into the top left hand corner to seal a rather unlikely win.

 

Team: George Bentley, Harry Hudson, Ryan Hine, James White, Josh Woodliffe, Josh MacArthur-Nolan, James Shield, Lewis Unwin, Festos Kamara, Jacob Feasey, Regan Corke. Subs: Rhys Bartlett, Jack Gallagher, Jack Walder, Rory Ward.

 

Attendance: 328

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28th September 2024

Tunbridge Wells 1 Lydd Town 1

Up one week, down the next seems to be the story for the Wells in a season that’s gone encouragingly in some ways but has had its disappointments. It doesn’t help when you concede from the first chance of the game after just 4 mins, the ball spending time in the air in the Wells box before dropping at the feet of an unmarked Sam Adams to slot low past George Bentley. Wells did shake off the setback and get on the front foot though, with Festos Kamara causing his usual problems for defenders and setting up a couple of half chances for Rory Ward and Jack Gallagher. After Rhys Bartlett’s effort against Glebe, Wells are developing a taste for hitting the bar in front of their own fans and on 21 mins they hit it twice in quick succession. First, Ward curled in a wicked free kick that the keeper touched onto the bar before, from the corner, Gallagher directed a looping header onto the same piece of woodwork. Lydd weren’t posing much danger at the other end and the closest they came to extending their lead was a bobble over the foot of Bentley as he tried to boot the ball upfield, but he raced back to clear up the danger. The left wing was the home team’s greatest source of danger and Kazzeem Richards set off on a great run down that side before pulling the ball back to Ward who’s shot was blocked.

​HT 0-1

Kamara was looking the most likely rescue act for Wells as he sprinted down the right after 53 mins, exchanged passes and then fired in a shot which the keeper tipped round the near post. But ten minutes later the visitors missed a big chance to possibly put the game to bed when a low cross from the right was hit straight at Bentley from the edge of the six yard box. They were made to regret that miss after 68 mins when a long ball from Harry Hudson saw Jack Gallagher fouled just outside the box. Regan Corke had had an unusually quiet game but stepped up when it mattered - albeit with the help of a big deflection - as the ball nestled in the left hand side of the net, with Corke aiming for the opposite side. Lydd might have got back on top three minutes later when a free kick from the right was met by a free header over the bar. Late substitutions saw Rhys Bartlett, Josh MacArthur-Nolan and Mo Alaka come on for Lewis Unwin, Ryan Hine and Gallagher. Richards was given his marching orders after 83 mins, after a shirt tug earned a second yellow. But it was Wells who thought they might have snatched it in added time as a raised flag denied Bartlett when he turned a header from Jim White over the line.

 

Team: George Bentley, Harry Hudson, Kazzeem Richards, James Shield, James White, Ryan Hine, Regan Corke, Lewis Unwin, Jack Gallagher, Rory Ward, Festos Kamara. Subs: Mo Alaka, Josh Woodliffe, Josh MacArthur-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Rhys Bartlett

 

Attendance: 206

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21st September 2024

Tunbridge Wells 2 Glebe 0

Wells secured their place in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase with this comfortable win over league rivals Glebe in the Second Qualifying Round. The most dramatic occurrence early in the game was the referee trotting off to change his damaged boots but Wells did eventually spring to life and start carving out a few chances. On 13 minutes a long ball over the top from Jack Walder put Rhys Bartlett in a one-on-one but the keeper was out to block before then bizarrely picking out Bartlett from his drop kick who chipped the ball over him but just the wrong side of the post. A couple of minutes later a Harry Hudson cross from the right was cleared to a lurking Regan Corke just outside the box who fired over. The game then went into a quiet phase before Wells almost broke the deadlock on 38 mins as a Kazeem Richards cross from the left was met by a firm header from Bartlett which hit the bar. In time added on Rory Ward volleyed over from a Walder headed flick and then Festos Kamara wriggled into the box on the left side but sliced his shot over.

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HT 0-0

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A first chance for Wells in the second half came Corke’s way as a cross from the left from Lewis Unwin picked him out but the shot went well over. The home team then hit the woodwork for the second time on the hour mark. With Kamara having been tripped on the edge of the box Corke drilled a free kick against the wall and with his second effort hit the outside of the post. A Glebe effort that flew just over the top corner on 64 mins was their best and possibly their only effort up to that point but they were behind a minute later as a long boot downfield by George Bentley put Corke away down the left and he calmly slotted past the keeper. Walder almost added to his impressive goal scoring tally after 74 mins, nearly turning the ball in from a tight angle after a Corke free kick bounced off the keeper’s chest. Glebe at last pushed forward for an equaliser as the clock ticked down, one of their players somehow putting the ball over from a free kick from almost on the goal line - but was then probably happy to see the flag was up. In time added on, Wells made sure of the win and it was that man Corke again getting in behind the away defence and firing low into the net for what was almost a carbon copy of the first goal.

 

Team: George Bentley, Harry Hudson, Kazeem Richards, Ryan Hine, James Shield, Jack Walder, Lewis Unwin, Rory Ward, Regan Corke, Rhys Bartlett, Festos Kamara. Subs: Jacob Feasey, Jack Gallagher, Joshua MacArthur-Nolan.

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Attendance: 149

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14th September 2024

Tunbridge Wells 1 Bearsted 2

After two encouraging wins, Wells were brought back to earth with a bump against the Bears. The fighting spirit that ground out a win at Larkfield in the week was absent on this occasion as the home team couldn’t get into gear and tamely surrendered the points. The first half was short on chances for either side, but the away team had a bit more control and put together the better moves. After 10 mins a low cross shot from the left had George Bentley diving full length and getting a hand to it that steered it away from a player sliding in at the far post. On 18 mins a Rory Ward corner on the right picked out Jack Walder for a free header on the edge of the box that sailed over the bar. Just after the half hour mark, Josh MacArthur-Nolan fired a low cross into the middle that Jack Gallagher couldn’t quite reach before Festos Kamara beat his man on the right and pulled the ball back to Ward who sliced high and wide. On 42 mins, some pace and trickery from Kamara led to a shot from a tight angle parried away by ex Wells keeper Frankie Leonard at his near post. With a couple of minutes of a largely uneventful first half left, Wells switched off at a Bearsted throw in with the ball landing at the feet of Jesse Darko on the left side of the box. He looked up and curled a great effort past Bentley’s dive into the far corner of the net.

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HT 0-1

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Would Wells liven up in the second half? The early signs were not good as ex Royal Billy Lewins was played through the middle but with just Bentley to beat dragged his shot wide. Then a Bears free kick was whipped in from the left and skied over by a player in the middle. With Wells showing no sign of getting the equaliser, Ivesy made a triple substitution with Kamara, Nolan and Ward making way for Rhys Bartlett, Kazeem Richards and the returning Harry Hudson. On 62 mins a great ball from Richards from right to left picked out Bartlett who crossed into the middle but Leonard just got there ahead of Hudson. On 66 mins Richards tried his luck from distance but the effort cleared the bar. Shortly after, Jacob Feasey entered the fray with Gallagher going off. On 75 mins a Wells corner failed to beat the first man, allowing Bearsted to break the full length of the pitch, with Sam Stace being played in on the left from where he produced a low finish past Bentley for 2-0. It could have got worse for the Wells a minute later as a place kick from Leonard was flicked on and lobbed over the bar. On 81 mins Lewis Unwin did well on the left side of the box, drilling a low cross into the middle which yet another ex Wells man James Nurden deflected just past his own post. Bearsted almost extended their lead on 90 mins as a snap shot from a corner hit the post. There was still plenty of time for the Wells as the ref somehow found an additional 15 minutes of added time. Unfortunately it was only at the very end of that time that Wells pulled one back as Regan Corke curled in a free kick from the left side and Walder muscled in at the back post to head in for his third goal in three games. But it was too little too late.

 

Team: George Bentley, Josh MacArthur-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Lewis Unwin, Ryan Hine, James Shield, Regan Corke, Jack Walder, Jack Gallagher, Rory Ward, Festos Kamara. Subs: James White, Kazeem Richards, Rhys Bartlett, Jacob Feasey, Harry Hudson

 

Attendance: 201

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10th September 2024

Larkfield & New Hythe 0 Tunbridge Wells 1 

After a reasonably comfortable win against Snodland at the weekend this was probably the kind of win managers prefer - watching players roll up their sleeves, dig in and grind out a hard fought win on a wet and windy Tuesday night. It says a lot about character. George Bentley was first to show he was up for the fight, pulling off a great reaction save from a diving header four minutes in. Wells didn’t pose any attacking threat until the 17th minute when Regan Corke nodded the ball down to Jack Gallagher who turned and fired over the bar. Ten minutes later Festos Kamara headed wide from a Rory Ward free kick before a Larkfield cross from the left saw bodies flying in but no one getting a touch. There wasn’t much football being played but a nice move after half an hour saw Ryan Hine play a great ball out to Kamara on the right. He laid the ball back to Unwin who teed up Ward for a firm strike over the bar. Gallagher also fired over before a bit of a scramble in the Wells box saw a home player also fire over when well placed. On 39 mins Ward pulled the ball back from the right to the edge of the box where Corke hit one low along the skiddy surface which went through the keeper’s hands but wide of the post. Just before half time Kamara was booked for an alleged dive as he tried to work an opening on the left side of the box.

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HT 0-0

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Between 55 and 57 mins came two massive moments. Firstly Wells failed to clear their lines, allowing a home player to find a bit of space in the middle and crack a long range shot that smacked against the crossbar. Then, soon after, came the winning goal. A Ward corner on the right was delivered low into the box and found its way to Jack Walder whose shot appeared to take a deflection before flying past the keeper into the net. Just a minute later Walder showed his value to the team at both ends, making a great block as a shot was fired low at the Wells goal. On 62 mins, a long ball was flicked on

and a Larkfield player looked set to get in behind but was hauled down by Hine who was shown a yellow card. The resulting free kick deflected over the bar. Five minutes later a Larkfield player also decided to grab a shirt and got a sin bin for his troubles, giving the away side a temporary man advantage. Kamara threatened to make that advantage count but sliced wide as the ball was headed out to him on the left side of the box. With the clock beginning to run down, Larkfield forced a succession of corners, with Wells having to stand firm and throw bodies in the way of shots. Kamara was an outlet in the 79th minute, cutting in from the left and testing the keeper at his near post. With ten minutes left on came fresh legs with Gallagher, Ward and Kamara making way for Jacob Feasey, Kazeem Richards and Rhys Bartlett. Bartlett played in Corke on the right and his low effort went wide of the far post before Larkfield zipped a ball from the left across the six yard box but no one could apply a finishing touch. Wells nearly wrapped it up on 90 mins when Bartlett broke through the middle and released Feasey on the left but the keeper came out well to block. As the ref played seven seemingly endless minutes of added time, the home team saw a shot deflected over but couldn’t deny Wells an excellent three points on the road.

 

Team: George Bentley, Joshua MacArthur-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Lewis Unwin, Ryan Hine, James Shield, Regan Corke, Jack Walder, Jack Gallagher, Rory Ward, Festos Kamara. Subs: Mo Alaka, Kazzeem Richards, Jacob Feasey, Rhys Bartlett, James White.

 

Attendance: 75

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7th September 2024

Tunbridge Wells 3 Snodland Tn 1 

After the disappointment of the Stansfeld game, Wells will have felt they had a point to prove against Snodland and the home fans will have gone away very happy with the reaction come the final whistle. Wells made a flying start, Rory Ward winning the ball on the right side of the box after 5 mins and teeing up Jack Gallagher for a snapshot tipped round the post. The home side kept up the pressure, Festos Kamara beating his man on the left and crossing to the edge of the box where Regan Corke hit a clean strike that was tipped over the bar. Snodland broke away on 14 mins with a low cross from the left met with a sidefoot in the middle but George Bentley saved well with his legs. On 23 mins a long throw from the left was flicked on and Ward volleyed acrobatically over the bar. Just a couple of minutes later came the deserved breakthrough as a superb cross field switch from Ryan Moir to Corke led to a ball whipped into the box for Gallagher to volley on the stretch into the corner of the net. But the old saying about being vulnerable after scoring haunted the Wells as they failed to clear the ball out of trouble and a cross from the left was met with a header which looped over Bentley’s dive into the top corner. How would Wells react to the setback? The answer came on 38 mins as Ward swung in a corner from the right and Jack Walder powered a header into the net for 2-1. There was time for a Kamara shot from a tight angle which the keeper did well to block and then a great reflex save from Bentley before the whistle blew for half time.

​HT 2-1

​The scoring was wrapped up as early as the 47th minute as Ward delivered a cross from the right which fell to Kamara. His first shot was blocked but the follow up flew into the far top corner. Chances continued to be created to put some gloss on the scoreline. The keeper kept out efforts from Kamara and Ward before the away team saw a header go just over from a free kick on the right. Kamara and Corke went close before any possibility of a Snodland comeback ended on 70 mins when Junior Pepin dived into a reckless challenge on Kamara and was given his marching orders. Snodland volleyed a decent chance over the bar on 77 mins but overall the home team had the game well under control. On 81 minutes Ward might have added a fourth but lobbed over the bar as well as the advancing keeper.

 

Team: George Bentley, Josh MacArthur-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Lewis Unwin, Ryan Hine, James Shield, Regan Corke, Jack Walder, Jack Gallagher, Rory Ward, Festos Kamara. Subs: Kazeem Richards, Ron Little, Mo Alaka, Jacob Feasey, Rhys Bartlett

 

Attendance: 227

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3rd September 2024

Kent Utd u23 1 Tunbridge Wells u23 1

After an opening day goalless draw against Rusthall when a host of chances were missed, this was a better performance from last season’s champions against a lively home team but they’ll once again feel it should have been three points rather than one. Matty Dunmall was first to test the keeper after 5 mins, curling an effort from the edge of the box which the keeper got down well to. A minute later Cam Wootton got a good connection with a teasing cross from the left but the keeper did really well to tip over. The goal was coming though and after a good passing move on the left side of the box, the ball ended at Dunmall’s feet for a calm sidefoot finish. After a one-two down the right, Rockie Burke drilled an effort into the side netting on 18 mins before the home team then created one or two chances themselves including a free kick whipped in from the left which was begging for a finishing touch. On 22 mins a long ball over the top found Wootton but his header cleared the bar. Then a bit of a let off on 27 mins as a low ball in from the left was met with a sidefoot at the near post which brought a great diving save from Tommy Sceal in the Wells goal. On 32 mins a long range strike from Mo Alaka came back off the post with the rebound headed over by Finn Hartley and then shortly after a cross from Fin Wolvey on the left picked out Burke for a header at the far post which the keeper kept out with a flying save to his right. On 41 mins a home free kick on the right was headed wastefully high and wide before at the other end Alaka teed up Dunmall for a deflected shot which the keeper saved to his left. There was just time for Micky Mantle to send a ball in behind for Wootton to drill just wide of the post.

HT 0-1

If the first half had been largely dominated by the Wells the second half was a more even affair. On 48 mins Kent Utd nearly grabbed a freak equaliser when a cross from the left sailed over everyone and hit the far post. Wells kept creating chances though, Dunmall volleying at the keeper after 51 mins and a couple of half chances put wide by Alaka with some good pressing putting the home defence under pressure. A great through ball on 71 mins sent Duncan Ibbotson through but his shot deflected over. But having done enough to win the game up to that point, Wells found themselves under the cosh in the closing stages. On 76 mins a deflected effort was scooped to safety by Sceal but three minutes after that it was all square as a long ball was headed on and volleyed into the net. It could even have got worse after 83 mins as a cross from the right was firmly headed towards goal but Sceal produced an excellent diving save.

 

Team: Tommy Sceal, Micky Mantle, Luke Exall, Mason Nicholls, Duncan Ibbotson, Fin Wolvey, Matty Dunmall, Rockie Burke, Finn Hartley, Cam Wootton, Mo Alaka

Subs: Tyler Jeffery, Harry Withers, Ollie Thomson, Len Minihane, Jack Turnbull

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26th August 2024

Rusthall 1 Tunbridge Wells 1

The first of the season’s Rocks derbies and Wells will feel disappointed not to come away with the win after dominating the first half but then finding themselves having to play most of the second half with ten men, and for a while just nine. The first half saw the Rustics goal lead a charmed life. Festos Camara was first to try his luck, cutting in from the left and firing a long range effort just wide of the post. Next came a deflected shot from Regan Corke which went just over followed by a header over the bar from Jack Walder after he was picked out by a Siji Akinlusi header from a corner to the back post by new signing Theo Osinfolarin. Josh MacArthur-Nolan gave the ref the first chance to reach for a card after 17 mins, pulling back Rusthall’s Louis Anderson as he advanced down the right. Jack Lyons curled the resulting free kick just over the far top corner. On 21 mins a long cross from the right by Osinfolarin was kept in by Jim White at the far post and Akinlusi’s snapshot was blocked by the keeper at the near post. On 26 mins Walder jumped for the ball in the middle of the park and was handed a yellow by the ref. It looked a harsh decision and was to grow in importance later in the game. Just after the half hour mark Osinfolarin teed up Jacob Feasey twice in succession, leading to a miscued shot and then the ball being whipped off Feasey’s toes by a defender. On 39 mins Camara played Corke in down the left and he squeezed in a shot from a tight angle which Sanneh in goal palmed away. Corke then switched to the right hand side and had the ball nicked away from him as he was bearing down on goal and about to pull the trigger. Camara was a whisker away from applying the finishing touch to two low crosses, one from Feasey on the left and then from Corke on the right. Having dominated the half, Wells finally got the lead they deserved as MacArthur-Nolan set off on a barnstorming run down the left leaving defenders trailing before cutting across the edge of the box and firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net triggering wild celebrations among the away fans.

​HT 0-1

​Perhaps after a few words at halftime the home team were a bit brighter at the start of the second half, a good move down the left ending with a scuffed shot and then Kirby cutting inside from the left and firing in a decent effort which Bentley did well to turn round the post. Wells were soon carving out more chances of their own though with a long kick from Bentley on 50 mins flicked on by Feasey into the path of Camara who shot against the keeper’s chest as he came out to block. Two efforts followed from the excellent Unwin, one pushed away by the keeper and another fired over the bar. Then came the moment that changed the game as Sanneh ran with the ball in his hands towards the edge of his box and tumbled theatrically to the floor. The ref decided he’d been tripped by Walder and produced a second yellow card. To add salt to the wound, Feasey was sent to the sin bin for his protests and the away team were down to nine men for a ten minute spell. Suddenly it was backs to the wall as a corner from the left on 64 mins found Ibrahim on the edge of the box and his strike thumped against the crossbar. Two minutes later the bar was hit again as a home player turned smartly and fired a great effort out of Bentley’s reach. After an excellent shift Akinlusi limped off with cramp to be replaced by Ryan Moir with James Shield coming on for Camara. After 70 mins a good ball in from the left was met by a header in the middle producing a great reaction save from Bentley. Wells were now relying on counter attacks and from one of these Corke almost scored a wonder goal on 73 mins, setting off on the halfway line, beating three players and forcing Sanneh to make a diving save to his right. A looping mishit cross from Unwin dropped just over the bar on 75 mins before three minutes later Rusthall grabbed an equaliser. A fast break through the middle and pass out to Clover in the left channel exposed Wells’ lack of numbers and the former Corinthian man took his chance well, driving low past Bentley into the far corner. Two Wells changes followed, with Rory Ward on for Osinfolarin and Jack Gallagher for Feasey. Despite being a man down, it was Wells who looked the more likely winners in the closing stages. Unwin found Gallagher on the left and he beat his man before firing in a shot which Sanneh parried to safety before a Corke effort was deflected wide. One last chance then came Rusthall’s way as a low cross from the left was scrambled away. But there was still time for two Wells chances as the clock ticked to 100 mins. First Gallagher got in behind but Sanneh made a comfortable save to his right. Then a great chance for last gasp drama as Corke nicked the ball away from the keeper as he dribbled the ball out of his area but, from a tight angle, sliced his shot wide. The final whistle blew on a highly entertaining game with the points shared.

 

Team: George Bentley, Joshua MacArthur-Nolan, Theo Osinfolarin, Ron Little, James White, Siji Akinlusi, Lewis Unwin, Jack Walder, Jacob Feasey, Festos Camara, Regan Corke. Subs: Mo Alaka, Rory Ward, James Shield, Jack Gallagher, Ryan Moir

 

Attendance: 813

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24th August 2024

Tunbridge Wells II 5 Crawley Devils 3

Two games and two wins so far for the Wells in their debut season in the Mid Sussex Premier league. Following a 5-2 win over Battle Town three days before, the home team put another five on the board despite having to deal with a wet skiddy playing surface and small and narrow pitch at Cadogan, which made life difficult. Crawley were more lively up front than Battle and they had the first chance, a free kick from the right nodded wide of the far post after 8 mins. Lively front man Jack Gallagher swivelled on the edge of the box two minutes later and fired in a shot which the keeper tipped round the post. The breakthrough for the home side came on 15 mins as Max Lambert drove forward and unleashed a firm shot into the corner of the net. But just two minutes later the away side were back on level terms as a good ball out wide to the left was passed across the edge of the box where it was controlled and struck firmly, beating Tommy Sceal’s dive. The game then became a bit scrappy, both sides struggling to put passing moves together in the tricky conditions. An Evan Lloyd header for the home side and a testing Crawley cross turned behind at the far post were the only efforts until the Devils took the lead in controversial fashion in the 43rd minute when a free kick was played low into the box where a player fell to the floor and a penalty was given. The kick was struck low down the middle. But just a minute later Wells were level again thanks to a outrageous strike from Gallagher, picking the ball up 25 yards out and smashing one into the top corner. Into time added on and Wells snatched the lead as a high ball in from the right found Reece Anderson meeting it with a firm header past the keeper at the far post. A fourth goal appeared to have quickly followed as a header across goal was tapped in but the flag went up for offside despite claims the ball had gone backwards and not forward.

​HT 3-2

​With Duncan Ibbotson in the sin bin at the start of the second half Wells came under a bit of pressure with a couple of half chances for the away side and Ollie Thomson picking up a yellow for a crunching challenge just after coming on. Wells nearly added a fourth after 51 mins as Fin Wolvey crossed low from the right to the far post where Thomson guided the ball past the keeper but a defender cleared off the line. From a corner on the right Zak Wolvey then drove a fierce effort just wide of the post. With Crawley’s keeper having limped off with a leg injury, it didn’t take long for Gallagher to have his replacement picking the ball out of the net as he robbed a defender and smashed a shot home for 4-2. On the hour mark Rush Broderick saw a deflected effort go wide and teed up Thomson for a shot that was also deflected off target. In between these efforts, Gallagher curled one just over. But the away side were always a danger and pulled one back after 66 mins following a run down the right and cross to the near post which was met with a good sidefoot finish. Crawley looked like they might snatch a result with a couple of shots just wide and over the bar around the 75 minute mark before Fin Wolvey whipped an effort just wide from the edge of the box. The result was wrapped up on 90 mins as Jamie Bidston turned a couple of defenders inside out before crossing to Thomson who challenged the keeper and the ball fell to Lambert to make no mistake.

 

Team: Tommy Sceal, Evan Lloyd, Ben Martin-Coward, Ron Little, Zak Wolvey, Duncan Ibbotson, Rush Broderick, Reece Anderson, Phil Abbott, Jack Gallagher, Max Lambert. Subs: Fin Wolvey, Ollie Thomson, Jamie Bidston, Harry Withers, Mason Nicholls.

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10th August 2024

Punjab Utd 2 Tunbridge Wells 1
Not the first time Wells have come to Punjab and lost a lead but this one was particularly frustrating as a free header in time added on snatched away what would have been a well earned point. Ryan Moir caused the home team problems all afternoon down the left side and whipped over a cross after just four mins which was a little too high for Festos Kamara arriving at the back post. Josh MacArthur-Nolan then sent Regan Corke scampering down the right and his dangerous cross to Jacob Feasey in the middle was just cut out by a defender. Punjab posed their first threat after 15 mins and it nearly gave them the lead. A cross from the left was headed over his own bar by Mo Alaka and from the resulting corner from the right a header at the back post came back off the underside of the bar and was scrambled away. On 19 mins Wells lost possession sloppily in the middle of the park allowing a home player to advance unchallenged to the edge of the box and fire a low drive which George Bentley pushed away to his right. As it became clear high crosses and headers were Punjab’s biggest threat, a curling cross from the left was headed over at the back post on 32 mins before, a minute later, Wells had their own headed effort as Siji Akinlusi looped one over the bar. Wells took the lead after 38 mins as a long ball down the right sent Corke away and his knee-high cross to the near post was volleyed into the corner of the net by Feasey. Three minutes later a corner swung in by Rory Ward from the left was met by an Akinlusi downward header but cleared away. It looked like a lucky escape for the Wells on 43 mins as a cross from the left led to a bit of pinball in the box and Bentley saved with his legs at point blank range - but the assistant’s flag was raised. In time added at the end of the half Kamara set off on a mazy run that took him to the edge of the box where a sliding tackle teed up Corke to fire over.
HT 0-1
Punjab had an early chance in the second half as a corner from the right was headed towards goal but MacArthur-Nolan cleared off the line. After 53 mins a Ward corner led to handbags in the box and a yellow card for Akinlusi. Shortly after another Ward corner came back to him in the right channel and a long range curling effort went over the bar. On the hour mark Shield played a clever pass to MacArthur-Nolan on the right who slipped the ball inside to Feasey but he couldn’t quite nick it away from the advancing keeper. The equaliser came on 65 mins as a ball was played in behind the Wells defence and Akinlusi found himself racing for the ball alongside Punjab number 9 Reece Deakin with the two coming together and Deakin tumbling to the floor. It looked soft but a penalty was given and Deakin passed it into the middle of the net, beating Bentley’s dive. Substitutions followed with Jack Walder coming on for Shield and soon after Jacob Feasey and Mo Alaka making way for Jack Gallagher and Lewis Unwin. Feasey had earlier picked up a yellow card for connecting with a Punjab defender when jumping for the ball. Wells briefly thought they had the lead after 80 mins when a corner from the left was missed by the keeper and a massive scramble followed with the ball being poked over the line, but up went the flag for offside. With Hudson coming on for Ward in the closing stages Wells had one last chance as Corke played the ball down the left to Moir who beat his man and crossed for Kamara who fired in a shot that was well saved. But in the end it was Punjab’s tactic of hoofing the ball long to try and win set pieces that paid off. From the last of several corners in the closing stages, the ball was crossed from the left after 91 mins and a run to the near post by Jack Hopkins went untracked allowing an easy header into the net past a helpless Bentley.

Team: George Bentley, Josh McArthur-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Mo Alaka, James White, Siji Akinlusi, James Shield, Rory Ward, Jacob Feasey, Festos Kamara, Regan Corke. Subs: Jack Walder, Jack Gallagher, Lewis Unwin, Harry Hudson, Max Lambert.

Attendance: 102
 

3rd August 2024

Tunbridge Wells 1 Farnham Town 3 

The Wells couldn’t have had a tougher FA Cup draw at this stage of the competition as they came up against a team who went unbeaten in their league for the whole of last season. But while the home team did indeed exit at the Extra Preliminary round stage, they came out of the game with a lot of credit. Indeed it took them just three minutes to fashion a chance as Josh MacArthur-Nolan cut into the box from the right and fed the ball just behind Festos Kamara who turned and shot, the keeper saving with his legs. A frantic first five minutes saw a Farnham cross from the left headed down and back heeled over the bar before Kamara played Regan Corke in down the right who lobbed the keeper but a defender was on hand to clear away for a corner. Kamara then beat his man on the left and crossed to the far post but just too high for Jacob Feasey to get a proper connection. On 19 mins, a great run from MacArthur-Nolan on the right ended with a ball into Feasey in the box who teed up Kamara for a side-foot effort which the keeper tipped round the post. Farnham were mostly on the back foot but hinted at what they were capable of with a lightning fast break and low cross which Siji Akinlusi just got a boot to to turn it wide. From the corner, Sean Foster in the Wells goal pulled off a point blank save from a header. A long ball from MacArthur-Nolan released Corke on the right but having outpaced the away defence he fired well wide. On 25 mins came the goal that Wells fully deserved. Again it was Corke doing the damage on the right, getting into the box and pulling the ball back for James White to smash a shot past the helpless keeper. A Farnham free kick in the right channel was curled just wide on the half hour mark before, on 37 mins, Wells came agonisingly close to doubling their lead. James Shield sprayed a lovely pass out to Kamara on the right and a peach of a cross was headed against the far post by Feasey. Salt was then rubbed into the wounds a few minutes later as Farnham scored a simple equaliser against the run of play. Having beaten Ryan Moir down the right a low cross was met with a sliding sidefoot finish in the middle by Mark Waters. A similarly dangerous ball from the right was scrambled behind by Akinlusi before the half time whistle blew.

 HT 1-1

 With their tails up after the equaliser, and perhaps having shaken off a bit of rustiness, Farnham quickly took a grip on the second half. A cross from the right to the far post was headed over on 49 mins and a great chance squandered on 56 mins when a low cross from the right was completely miskicked in front of goal from a few yards out. Another chance followed on the hour mark when a cross from the right was flicked wide of the far post. With Max Lambert having entered the game to replace Moir, Farnham made their pressure tell after 68 mins as the ball was worked across the edge of the box from the left and eventually sat up nicely for Owen Dean to drive low into the bottom right hand corner. Akinlusi threw his body in the way of a long range effort as Farnham looked to extend their lead before Jack Walder came on for Feasey and Jack Gallagher for an injured Kamara. A couple of Farnham free kicks from the left were whipped towards the near post but dealt with by Foster before Wells roused themselves for a final push. A corner from the left to the far post on 85 mins found Akinlusi who’s shot was charged down and then, a minute later, MacArthur-Nolan drove into the box and laid it back for Akinlusi to let fly. His shot deflected to Gallagher at the far post where he fired what looked like a tap in over the bar - however, the assistant’s raised flag spared his blushes. Luke Exall replaced MacArthur-Nolan in time added on before, after 96 mins, Farnham added a bit of gloss to the scoreline when Duarte Martins broke clear on the left and shot at the near post. Foster got a glove to it but couldn’t prevent the ball rolling slowly over the line. A good effort from the home team but we’ll just have wait for the Vase final for a trip to Wembley.

 

Team: Sean Foster, Josh MacArther-Nolan, Ryan Moir, Mo Alaka, James White (c), Siji Akinlusi, James Shield, Rory Ward, Jacob Feasey, Festos Kamara, Regan Corke. Subs: Max Lambert, Jack Walder, Jack Gallagher, Luke Exall, Ron Little, Lennie Minihane, Tommy Sceal.

 

Attendance: 309