Report: Long-range Popoola strike cancelled out by resolute Tonbridge

 

A sudden firework display in the distance began on the referee's first whistle which set the tone for an entertaining evening at York Road, as Maidenhead United were held to a 1–1 draw against Tonbridge Angels. 

 

The Magpies made a bright start and looked to take control early on with a great deal of possession in the opposing half. However, it was Tonbridge’s Brody Peart who fired wide from distance inside the opening five minutes. Maidenhead's top scorer, Liam Dulson, responded with aeffort of his own beating two defenders down the left but saw his cross comfortably collected by visiting goalkeeper Jacob Adams. 

 

Josh Popoola tried his luck from a 25-yard free-kick midway through the first half, but his effort flew over the bar. Moments later, the hosts came closest to taking the lead when the exciting Popoola whipped in a dangerous cross to the back post. The goalkeeper missed his punch, and a header from Manny Onariase couldn't generate enough power to redirect it goal bound. At the other end, it was the Angels who looked the closest of the two sides to take the lead as they threatened from set pieces. A looping free-kick forced Jordi van Stappershoef to tip over before the resulting corner was flicked onto the post and scrambled clear. 

 

Maidenhead continued to push forward, after a wave of pressure from the visitors, and defender Manny Onariase rose highest from a corner to head against the crossbar. Adams was then called into action once more, diving low to his right to deny the lively Dulson. 

 

The breakthrough finally came on the stroke of half-time. Popoola picked up possession 25 yards from goal, dropped his shoulder to glide past two midfielders, and unleashed a superb strike into the bottom left corner to give the Magpies a deserved lead and Josh Popoola his fourth goal of the season. 

 

 

The hosts carried that momentum into the start of the second half. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson almost doubled the advantage with a fierce strike from the edge of the area, while Maidenhead’s intricate passing around the edge of the away side box opened up the Tonbridge Angels defence on several occasions. 

 

However, it was the visitors who found a way back into the game after 65 minutes. A teasing corner caused confusion in the box, and Nazir Bakrin rose highest to nod home the equaliser. 

 

The goal gave Tonbridge renewed confidence, with substitute Scott Wagstaff injecting a few positive passages of play from midfield as the Angels chased a winner. 

 

As each side pushed for a late winner during seven minutes of added time, both sets of managers exchanged words of encouragement to spur their team on in the closing stages. After clear chances proved hard to come by in added time, Dulson's low cross in on the verge of the whistle was cut out by Bradley Williams before Popoola’s final cross sailed behind for a goal kick. 

 

The final whistle blew and both teams were forced to settle for a point apiece after an entertaining and hard-fought encounter. 

 

 

Magpies: Van Stappershoef, Clerima, De Havilland, Onariase (sub Welch-Hayes 45'), Cochrane, Ferdinand, Robinson, Mitchell-Lawson (sub Barratt 69'), Popoola, Dulson, Andrews (sub Yearwood 72'). Subs not used: Bartley, Yearn, Dundas, Stewart. 

 

Angels: Adams, Warren, Penney, Higgs (sub German 90+5), Simon (sub Taylor-Crossdale 78'), Allen (sub Babajide 45'), Omole, Bakrin, Peart (sub Wagstaff 65'), Smith (sub Williams 65'), Akehurst. Subs not used: Sablier, Foley. 

 

Attendance: 743