TONBRIDGE ANGELS will have to play their Bostik League Premier play-off semi-final on Thursday [May 2, kick-off 7.45pm] away from home at Haringey Borough after a defeat in their final league game saw them drop to fourth place.
The team they beat to reach the knockout stage, Carshalton Athletic, leapfrogged over both contenders to secure the runners-up spot in division narrowly on goal difference.
Victory would have given Tonbridge home advantage as the second-placed team but the hosts fully deserved their win.
Tonbridge never really settled and looked vulnerable throughout, perhaps suffering from a sense of anti-climax after the excitement of Easter Monday at Longmead.
Conditions were tricky with high winds, and Jonny Henly had to make a series of important saves in the Tonbridge goal.
The Angels’ cause was not helped when Tom Beere, who had only just returned from an ankle injury, was stretchered in the 24th minute.
On the half-hour the Scholars went ahead after the home forwards chased a series of lost causes and the tricky No 10 Marvin Morgan was able to force the ball into the net.
A minute before half-time Jack Parter’s cross was fumbled by goalkeeper Berkeley Laurencin but there was no one on hand to take advantage.
The hammer blow for the visitors came in the 52nd minute. Potters Bar attacked down the left wing, where much of their attack was focused.
Morgan slipped to Nana Kyei, who made no mistake from from close range.
In the 67th minute the Angels did manage to pull a goal back. Joe Turner’s corner fell loose in front of goal and Sonny Miles saw his effort go in off the post.
As the clocked ticked down, results from elsewhere meant Tonbridge needed to win to secure that home advantage but the strikers could not stamp their authority on proceedings.
McKimm revealed afterwards that Beere, Turner and Craig Stone were all doubtful for the play-off semi-final in east London.
“They will all be assessed, receive treatment as appropriate and hopefully they may be able to play at least a part,” he said.
“Today Potters Bar deserved the win, they adapted to the conditions better and our players didn’t respond to our instructions.”
It’s Turner’s prize again
Joe Turner has been voted Tonbridge Angels Supporters’ Player of the Year for the second season in a row. The midfielder has enjoyed another prolific campaign with 16 goals and 12 assists. He is a true crowd favourite, with a sense of expectation arising whenever he takes possession of the ball on the left wing. Runner-up for the award was goalkeeper Jonny Henly.
