Football: Di Bernardo keeps it clean but Angels are thwarted

IT WAS perhaps inevitable that with the recent fixture between Leatherhead and the Angels finishing with the sides sharing the points in an eight goal thriller, their next encounter would end in a goalless draw. 

It may have been a case of both Ryman Premier sides knowing so much about their opponents’ attacking credentials that they cancelled each other out.

While the Tanners shaded the first half, Tonbridge had the better of the second period yet the final pass was too often astray. Six players saw referee Ryan Atkin produce his yellow card but it wasn’t a dirty game.

Eight minutes in, Kadell Daniel forced a terrific save from Angels keeper Anthony di Bernardo, who managed to push the ball against the post, with James Folkes getting his head to the rebound for a corner.  

Five minutes later Leatherhead had another chance to open the scoring but this time it was Angels midfielder Damian Scannell who was able to clear off the line.

Tonbridge controlled the game far better in the second half with their back four largely dealing with any attack the home side could muster – though Di Bernardo had to make a great save low to his right from a corner on 56 minutes.

But with the ball-winning attributes of Tom Phipp and Luke Allen in midfield combined with the trickery of Nicky Wheeler at the tip of the diamond formation, the Angels started to take control.

On 77 minutes Wheeler’s low cross from the right came into a dangerous area with Nathan Elder ready to pounce but Louie Wells got something on the ball and the danger was averted.  

As the clock ticked down another Wheeler cross and then a corner ought to have been converted but it was one of those days when the Tonbridge forwards were not quite on song.

Angels Manager Steve McKimm said: “Obviously it’s disappointing not to get the three points but we’ll take the point and move on. 

“It keeps the unbeaten run going, and its another clean sheet but I thought we lacked quality in the final third. 

“Tony has had to make two very good saves but apart from that we weren’t in too much trouble defensively.”