Wright injury sees City pay the penalty
Two second half penalties past stand-in goalkeeper Joe Raynes saw City beaten 3-2 by Tonbridge Angels at Longmead Stadium this afternoon. With City deservedly leading by two goals to one the last action of the first half saw keeper Ollie Wright suffer a dislocated shoulder in a goalmouth melee. The ball also appeared to cross the line but to the astonishment of the home side the referee did not award a goal and blew for half-time with Wright still receiving treatment.
Tonbridge had opened the scoring on eight minutes through Fielding’s looping header. City responded well with Dan Hayfield’s low shot hitting the inside of the post then seeing a header cleared off the line. Scott Wilson then had a ‘goal’ incorrectly ruled out for offside with the touch that sent him clear off a defender’s head. City weren’t to be denied though as on 27 minutes Ewan Clark’s cross was turned home by Cody Cooke. And four minutes later City were ahead as Scott Wilson held off a defender before lifting the ball over keeper Henly from 25 yards.
The referee returned to the pitch after half-time to sustained abuse from the home fans but by the end of the game he had been central to their side’s victory. City had shielded Raynes superably as they looked to protect their lead, but on 68 minutes the referee pointed to the spot after Jordan Thomas had blocked a cross. Raynes got a hand to Gard’s kick but couldn’t keep the ball out. And in the final minute the referee awarded a second penalty for Kieran Parselle’s challenge on Greenidge and again, despite Raynes getting a touch, Gard’s effort found the net to compete the turnaround.