Yates 3, Simmonds 62, McAthur 65, P.Jones 76
Att:- 566

Financially, Tonbridge will have been on a winner with the gate money up to £7 as they look ahead to the possibility of Premier Division football next season. Even the noisy lot behind Joe Radford's goal with their "7 quid's a rip off" chants (amongst others) will have thought it all very good value for money as Town took the Angels apart - and in so doing - became the first side to inflict a home defeat at Longmead, ended an unbeaten run of 12 games, showed what a good side we've got - and avenged in style that 0-4 drubbing we endured back in December.

This was a superb performance as Town carried on where they'd left off at Banbury. Tonbridge were second best all afternoon and seemed unable to do any more than lob up'n unders for Wade Falana to run onto while Town played all the football on another difficult surface. Having said that - I suppose the pitch was actually not too bad bearing in mind the rain on Friday and a lot of work must've been done to make it playable.

1-0 after just 3 minutes when Paul Jones who had another great game broke in from the right and set up Steve Yates to finish off from just inside the 6 yard box. Jonesie had what looked a good shout for a spot kick turned down on 9 minutes and a minute or so later, Simmo would've been disappointed with his poor cross after a good move down the left. Kess had to be at his best in an one on one shortly afterwards - but was left stranded by a well placed lob from the right corner of the box when the Town defence went to sleep. That was 1-1 on 12 minutes, and it became 1-2 after 18 minutes when Mat Ball was deceived by one of those up and unders and Falana went on to round Kess and put Tonbridge ahead.

Miss of the season on 27 minutes - Simmo completely miskicked a Jonesie cross as Town pressed for the equaliser. Lucky break for Kess late in the half when another chipped effort - or a hopeful hoof into the box - bounced off his cross bar. Referee Wills outraged Town supporters by not playing advantage when Jonesie broke into the box from the right flank after a nasty challenge had flattened Simmo - and to add insult to Simmo's injury, he just gave the miscreant a finger wagging! All this not long after he'd booked Stuart Playford for what looked like a perfectly good tackle.

What a one sided second half - and jubilation amongst the Town supporters when Simmo headed home Steve Yates's cross after 62 minutes. No more than Town deserved as they pressed for the equaliser. The goal came not long after a good save from Radford had kept out a well placed Macca free kick. But Duncan wasn't to be denied and on 65 minutes he had another go from wide out and with the help of a deflection it went in off Radford's far post, 3-2 to Town. Yatesie and Simmo both had efforts that finished in the side netting as Town continued to press forward. The points were made safe on 76 minutes when good interplay between Macca and Yatesie resulted in Paul Jones getting a thoroughly well deserved goal as he tucked away Steve's cross in complete isolation. It got worse for Tonbridge a couple of minutes later when Gene Clout who'd only been on a couple of minutes was sent off for a nasty foul on Yatesie.

Town supporters gathered to cheer the boys off at the end of another fine display - and it was clear the players had enjoyed it all as much as we did. Great stuff - and if we can keep up performances like this - then you never know.

SS

P.Jones 59
Att:- 339

Town's first home game since January 6th and yet another disappointing result against an indifferent Corby who made it clear they'd come for a point with time wasting tactics as early as the 10th minute. The pitch soon cut up after the latest downpours and the first half was eminently forgettable.

Tony Burt was involved in much of what goal mouth action there was in that opening 45 - a good long range effort hit straight at Des Elliott in the Corby goal, another one from an acute angle into the side netting and then a big mix up with Paul Ruddy when - unmarked - they both went up for a corner. Jonesie had another good game but had his work cut out against Tyrone Mintus in the Corby defence who was outstanding through out - especially in the second half when Town really turned the screw.

No goals at half time. Town came out for the second half far more determined and were to completely dominate the period - playing some good football on a more and more difficult surface. But - as we've seen so many times at The Pilot Field this season - all that domination wasn't reflected in goals. Jonesie it was who broke the deadlock with just under an hour gone when he finished off from close in after being set up by Macca who - so I was told prior to kick off - was being watched by scouts from at least three Nationwide clubs.

Macca had missed the best chance of the game just prior to the goal - found by Simmo's pass, he blazed high and wide when unchallenged. Soon after Town had taken the lead, Steve Yates spotted Elliott off his line and tried a Terry White lob which Elliott had to back pedal furiously to push clear. Macca had a good opportunity to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute but hit his effort straight at the keeper. Jonesie, having shaken off Mintus, broke into the area and fired in a cross which Elliott just got enough hand on to divert clear of Simmo who was unmarked at the far post.

On 80 minutes - Corby equalised with the one shot they were to have in the second half. A good effort - from outside the box and hit with real venom, it flew past Kess. Town kept pressing despite the setback - Simmo headed just wide, Yatesie went on one of those runs of his into the box, fired the ball past Elliott only to see it rebound off the inside of the post into the keeper's arms. Best chance of the lot 3 minutes from time - Paul Ruddy set up namesake Jones who's effort from the edge of the 6 yard box was tipped over. And controversy at the very end - Stuart Myall was tripped in the box but the referee (a poor all round game) and linesman both missed what was a blatant foul.

It's games like this that Town will look back on - and curse. So frustrating that we just cannot get going at home - that's 7 goals in 9 games - and 27 on our travels. Make what sense of that you will....... Just when we'd looked like giving ourselves an outside chance of featuring in the promotion stakes, this happens.

SS

McArthur 16, Simmonds 28 (pen), Jones 61
Att:- 105

Town's amazing sequence of success on the road compared to their travails at The Pilot Field is something else - and it got a bit more amazing after this latest win saw them up to 6th. They had to weather an early spell of pressure from a spirited Spalding side that certainly gave no impression of a club in turmoil - which they are having just lost their manager and half their side with him. Town didn't start too well and could have conceded a couple of goals in that spell - but a couple of good blocks by Kess kept Spalding at bay and after a quarter of an hour, Town were beginning to knock the ball out with confidence.

Just after Stuart Myall's clever free kick move with Simmo had seen his effort beaten away by the Spalding keeper, Town went 1-0 thanks to that old corner routine - Macca's effort was always too good and flew into the corner. 25 minutes gone and mayhem in the Spalding box after Paul Ruddy's header cannoned off the bar before the ball was booted clear. Three minutes later, Town were awarded a penalty after another of several crude challenges on Simmo who got up and planted the spot kick perfectly. Other chances fell to Paul Jones and Steve Yates but the big escape was at the other end when a free kick into the Town box saw an unmarked Spalding forward completely miskick.

Spalding started the second half on top - much like the first half as they dominated the openinmg 15 minutes or so. But apart from one jinking run that resulted in an effort over Kess's bar, they didn't really pose any threats. Town should've had a second penalty on 48 minutes when Jonesie was clearly pulled down as he broke clear - if the Saturday penalty claim against Corby was valid - this one was VALID! Amazing that it wasn't given. Still - the controversy warmed the loyal 7 behind the goal on what was turning into an icy night up in Lincolnshire.

Town wrapped it all up on 61 minutes when Jonesie got his third in as many games - good break down the right, round a couple of defenders and he placed his effort perfectly from 6 yards to put Town 3-0 up, a repetition of last season's scoreline. Just a matter of playing out time after that - but Macca still picked up what might be a groin strain - again. Graham Webb and Chris Honey came on as George Wakeling gave Simmo and Jonesie well deserved breaks from what is going to be a hectic spell of games. Terry replaced Macca for the last couple of minutes.

So - up to 6th on 39 points - level with Tonbridge who've played two games less - and 9 points behind second placed Grantham. 7 goals at home - and 30 on the road. We staggered off the coach at 2.05 am - but nobody really minded - even if some of us are up again at 6.00 - so what! Well played lads!

SS

Att:- 300 or so

What with the fixture congestion that's beginning to make itself apparent, the DM Cup is a competition too far - nobody gives a shit about it - nobody cares. Might just've been 300 or so at Broadfield on a cold, foggy night - our last two visits saw gates of 1573 and 1759 respectively for DM Premier Division fixtures. The attendance speaks volumes.

Having said all that, Town missing Messrs McArthur (injured), Simmonds (flu) and to lose Stuart Myall after 35 with a nasty gash on his ankle, did themselves proud against a big Crawley outfit who started off on top but found Town giving as good as they got after that initial 10 minutes. Crawley should've been 1-0 up after 5 minutes when a cross left Kess exposed but the shot was blocked. Kess pulled off a first class save on 28 minutes from a point blank header - an effort that resulted in sincere applause from his opposite number - one Jimmy Glass - yes, THE Jimmy Glass who went up for that injury time goal that kept Carlisle in Nationwide 3 on the last day of 98/99 - or was it last season.

Town played some good football in both halves - probably concentrating it into two 15 minute spells. Best move of the lot was down the left with Jonesie putting in a perfect cross for Mylie who's shot was well wide. Town didn't create much in the Crawley box and there was no doubt that the home side created more chances. But a makeshift Town side gave a good account of itself with Graham Webb running and working his socks off when he came on for Jonesie after an hour.

The goal came late - 86 minutes had elapsed when a low cross from the by line was put away from close in. Only the 3rd away defeat of the season in 20 odd games - but no doubt amongst the 30 or so Town supporters - it's the game at Histon on Saturday that's more important as we try to maintain our excellent league form that's seen 20 points from the last 8 games.

What side will George put out - what side will he be able to put out? Very frustrating to lose Mylie - surely, he won't play at Histon - in tonight's game, Macca's got a groin problem again, will Simmo have got over his flu, definitely no Stuart Playford who's suspended - and why did Jonesie go off tonight?

SS

Simmonds 17, 48, James 20, 23, 53
Att:- 130 or so

No doubt about it - if we could recreate some of our away form at The Pilot Field we'd be where Chelmsford are instead of looking at the faint possibility of promotion. The numbers don' t lie - no goals in the three home encounters with Erith, Tonbridge and Histon - just one point resulting. Away from home against the same opposition - 14 goals scored and maximum points. Sums up the season nicely, doesn't it?

Town played their best football of the season today on the worst pitch they've seen with the possible exception of the Somme look alike at Banbury recently. And they had to come back from 0-2 down after just 15 minutes. Clever little move resulted in a low cross across the Town area which Tony Burt diverted into his own net. All that after Town had opened up really well with some great football in the opening stages. It got worse, 0-2 on 15 minutes - long ball over the top, Town appealled for offside which wasn't given and Kess came off second best in a one on one.

The travelling Town support couldn't believe their eyes - not least your correspondent. How would a side missing Stuart Playford, Stuart Myall and Paul Jones cope with this setback? Immediately as it happened. Back in the game straight away when Macca's long ball released Yatesie down the left - who's low cross was hammered home by Simmo. All square on 20 minutes when DJ* was nicely set up by Macca in virtually a carbon copy of Danny's goal. The celebrations had just died down when they started all over again - this time Simmo setting up DJ for his second and Town's third - all three goals had come from low hard crosses being converted from close in.

A stunned Histon had seen a 2-0 lead turned into a 2-3 deficit in just 6 minutes. They created very little and it has to be said the pitch probably evened things out with whatever problems Town defenders had being duplicated by the home strikers. But Town up front and in midfield continued to come up with some outstanding stuff and were well worth their half time lead - even though they did have an escape on 40 minutes when a pitch induced error saw another one on one in Kess's area - but the shot went wide - not before resulting in heavily fouled underwear for us at the other end.

All wrapped up early in the second half with two brilliant strikes. Simmo broke into the box on 48 minutes, picked up a fine cross field pass from Paul Ruddy and from an acute angle fired home into the roof of the net - Paul Barber in the Histon goal never moved. 56 minutes on the clock - Histom went for broke and made a triple substitution - and within 30 seconds were kicking off 2-5 down. DJ picked up a loose ball outside the area and let fly a dipping, swerving effort which left Barber flat footed again. Five for Town and three for our Aussie midfielder who gets better game by game.

Histon had their best spell of the game after Town's 5th and dominated much of what remained of the 90 minutes. But the defence and Kess coped well with everything that was thrown at them with Kess's block from a close range effort on 77 minutes being the defensive highlight of the day. Not surprisingly, Town sat back, Macca and Phil Rhodes were given breathers and time was played out. Phil Rhodes stepped up well from the reserves in defence - and well played Chris Honey who's wretched luck in front of goal still haunts him - but he worked really hard today and contributed a lot to the result. As for the goals - especially those in the second half - you can just see Messrs Lawrenson and Hansen drooling over stuff like that on Match of the Day.

SS

* David James

Ruddy 9
Att:- 312

A draw was not a lot of good for either side as Town's unreal home form continued. Baldock in 4th spot and Town in 6th were both in need of three points in order to maintain their respective hopes of grabbing a promotion place come May. But - while the frustration for everyone on and off the pitch at Town's lack of Pilot Field success goes on and on - it has to be said they were given the run around for much of this game by a very good Baldock side who are by a country mile, the best outfit we've come across this season - home and away.

Town were without Stuart Myall and Paul Jones - cut ankle and flu respectively. So Chris Honey and Tommy Osborne stepped in. Town took an early lead after a pretty uneventful opening spell - Paul Ruddy blasting home from the edge of the box after latching onto a weak clearance. Adam Wheeler in the Baldock goal had little to do after that as most of what went on was at the other end. Great block by Kess in the 18th minute as Baldock piled on the pressure. Soon after that, some fine defending was needed by Macca when Baldock had a good opportunity to level - but Duncan was there to deflect the shot for a corner. A well struck free kick would have tested Kess late in the half but for being hit straight at him. Town's only other effort on goal came from Matt just before half time - but his shot went wide.

Town looked better in the second half - but were still up against a good side who always looked quick and threatening on the break. Tony Burt went close to doubling the lead on 60 minutes but his header from a Simmo free kick was just over the angle of post and bar. Baldock had a lucky escape 5 minutes later when the keeper and his defence made a complete hash of a back pass/clearance - a frantic phase of 6 yard box ping pong ensued but no one could get a decisive boot on the ball. Seconds later a cross flew frustratingly wide of two unmarked Town players (Simmo and Rudds) before being hacked clear.

Having weathered that Town pressure - Baldock piled it on at the other end and Town were lucky to see their opponents without their shooting boots in that last 20 minutes - apart from the 84th minute equaliser - bit like the Corby goal a week ago Saturday - hit from way out, it swerved past Kess. 3 minutes later, Tony pulled off a great save when confronted with two Baldock strikers - had the guy who hit the shot passed to his unmarked colleague - that would surely have been 2-1. Town did make one more foray up the other end where a fine piece of skill from Graham Webb saw him evade three defenders and put in an effort that curled agonizingly wide of the far post. What a goal that would've been.

SS

James 56, 64, Yates 61
Att:- 353

After a first half of unrivalled dross, Town came out fired up good'n proper for the second half. Deservedly 0-1 adrift at half time, it might've been worse if Witney had taken advantage of two good opportunities before they did go ahead on 14 minutes when a cross from the right was hooked past Kess. As early as 3 minutes, Town appealed for offside which they didn't get and in the ensuing one on one, the ball went well wide. Soon afterwards, Kess was left in another one on one and did superbly to distract the Witney striker who by the time he tried his luck, found the Town defence back in numbers.

After that Witney were content to sit back and defend their lead. Apart from a few long range efforts from Macca, Town didn't look like they would find a way through and matters were hardly helped when Mylie went off after 30 minutes with a problem related to the ankle injury he picked up at Crawley. Prior to this game, Witney had only lost 3 games on the road and had conceded just 11 goals so it all looked rather bleak for Town given our indifferent home record.

They came out for the second half a different side and after Tommy Osborne had spooned the ball over the bar from inside the 6 yard box, equalised on 56 minutes when Tommy headed Macca's cross against the bar with DJ being on hand to smack home the rebound. 61 minutes gone and Town took the lead after a scramble in the box resulted in a grounded Steve Yates hooking the ball home from close in. And it got even better when the move of the game saw Paul Jones release Simmo down the right who's great cross was emphatically headed home by an unmarked DJ.

That was on 64 minutes and Town were to hold out comfortably for a rare home win - just our 4th home success of the season. We've actually wiped out our negative home goal difference at last - er, that's for you deranged stats saddos.

SS

Simmonds 78, 85 [p]
Att:- 87

75 minutes gone, Town 0-2 down and lucky not to be much further behind on a cold snowy night in The New Forest - and they concede a penalty. Tony guesses right and pulls off a fantastic save at the foot of his left post for the turning point of a game in which they were not at the office.

The evening hardly got off to the right start with Town officials anxiously pacing up and down at 7.35 - and with good reason. No manager, no Kess, no DJ and no Tommy O - all in George's car which had been diverted due to half the New Forest being cordoned off by the Foot & Mouth outbreak. They eventually turned up at 7.40 - not exactly ideal preparation. And not an excuse for what was to follow as Town emulated Saturday's first half dross against Witney. 0-1 on 4 minutes - a high hanging corner which dropped right under the bar and was bundled in from close range. Kess pulled off a good blocking save shortly after that - and on 16 minutes he had reason to be grateful to a post after having been rounded, the resulting shot came back off the upright to be booted clear.

Town were looking good coming forward but the defence was being continually exposed and a goal line clearance prevented Bashley adding to their tally just after a Steve Yates header ended up in the side netting. The BIG escape came on 29 minutes when a poor back pass from Mat Ball was intercepted, Kess was left stranded and, somehow, the ball was blasted over the bar - a feat which looked far more difficult than scoring. Simmo - who along with Jonesie had a great game - brought out a decent save from the Bashley keeper on 40 minutes - but it was a fact that (as we dived into a warm clubhouse at half time) we were bloody lucky not to have been three or four down at the break.

Any hopes that a half time discussion might've improved matters soon evaporated. A free kick across the Bashley 6 yard box caused a few flutters - but Town still didn't look up for it and went further behind on 53 minutes. Macca tried to take on one too many in midfield - lost the ball which ended up back in our area where - after being blasted to and fro in a frenetic 10 seconds - ended up being blasted past Kess from close range. It really looked like being one of those evenings and when the lads started getting in each others way in the Bashley area, we wondered if it could get any worse.

It certainly did when that penalty was awarded with about 15 minutes left. Kess's effort to keep the spot kick out was top class - a bloody good save - and a matter of minutes later with a keeper having kept a side in a game - his opposite number gifted that side a goal - which is just what Geoff Sim did as he hashed a clearance from a back pass - the ball rebounded off Simmo who tucked it away from the edge of the box. Town upped their game after that unexpected bonus and with 86 minutes on the clock were awarded a spot kick when Simmo was tripped. To the delight of the 20 odd Town supporters, he put it away immaculately. 2-2, when a matter of 10 minutes earlier we looked about to go 0-3 down.

It might even've been better when a minute or two after having levelled - a cross from the left was diverted onto a post by a Bashley defender and out for a corner - it would've been a spectacular own goal! So - all square and a thoroughly lucky point which doesn't do a lot for our vague promotion prospects. We're 5th on 47 points, 8 behind 2nd placed Grantham with them to play twice - BUT Newport are level with us and have three games in hand on us. They're on a good run of form as well - and that includes a 6-0 win over Grantham on Sunday. It could well be a crucial game when we go to The Isle of Wight on March 10th.

Got home at 1.30 - knackered but relieved we got a point. 11 goals at home and now it's 37 on our travels. Just think - if we'd won those home games against the likes of Histon, Stain Leonards and McCorby (and look at the number of chances created) - we'd have 53 points and be serious contenders.

SS