Tonbridge Angels U18s held by Corinthian
The two sides drew 1-1 at Longmead on Monday evening
A crowd of just under 100 at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium watched Tonbridge get off the mark in the Isthmian Youth League as the points were shared.
The stand out moment in the game was David Howie's spectacular equaliser for Tonbridge midway through the second half although either side could have finished with maximum points.
Tonbridge looked threatening in the first half as Corinthian gave the ball away at times early on. Left wing back Sam Grant hit the bar for Angels with an early cross, and Max Lambert ran through on goal only for Corinthian keeper Alexander Ball to dive bravely at his feet for the home side's best first half opportunities, but it was the visitors who looked like they'd scored on the half hour mark.
Some good build up play saw Tyler Davis-Whittock have his effort well saved by Matthew Larkin in the Tonbridge goal, and the rebound bounced off the inside of the bar, down and away in an anxious moment for the home side.
Davis-Whittock was also heavily involved in the Corinthian goal, in first half stoppage time. He was fouled by Joe Tyrie on the side of the penalty area. The debate was whether it was inside or outside of the box, but after consulting with his assistant, referee Jack Mottram awarded the spot kick which Mark Cahill converted.
Corinthian looked the stronger side in the second half, but when Tonbridge brought on two attacking substitutes, George Theis and Hayden Velvick, it seemed to spark them into life. Although the Angels' efforts were tending to be from mid to long range, they got rewarded on 67 minutes when David Howie fired into the roof of the net for Tonbridge's equaliser from the edge of the box.
Harry London had a chance to win the game for Tonbridge from a similar sort of distance in stoppage time only to fire over, and when play restarted it was Corinthian who came close to scoring as Blu Hustwaite had his effort from a narrow angle well saved by Larkin in the Tonbridge goal.
TONBRIDGE: Larkin; Henley, McCusker, Tyrie; Bradley, Howie (Sargent 71), London, Grant; Cormack (Velvick 60), Wolvey (Theis 57); Lambert.
Subs not used: Burke, Knight.
CORINTHIAN: Ball; Damyanov, Hustwaite, Kpaka, Exall, Newman, Davis-Whittock, Garcia, Pinder, Cahil, Grant.
Subs: Mitcham, Alaya, Sillince.
Sub not used: Atkinson.
Attendance: 94