Tonbridge Angels suffer comprehensive defeat at Oxford City

Jamie Fielding was forced to play the majority of his side's 5-0 defeat to Oxford City in goal after goalkeeper Jonny Henly was sent off.

Submitted for publication in the Kent & Sussex Courier

Tonbridge Angels fell to a 5-0 defeat away to an Oxford City side challenging for a play-off place this season.

Angels boss Steve McKimm lined his side up in a 3-5-2, but the opening minutes saw Oxford enjoy most of the possession.

After seven minutes the hosts did manage to penetrate the Angels defence but without success, and then Tommy Wood met Tom Beere’s free-kick but his header went straight at the Oxford goalkeeper.

Then Tonbridge goalkeeper Jonny Henly was shown a straight red card for handling outside his area.

With no replacement goalkeeper on the bench, outfield player Jamie Fielding volunteered to take the jersey.

However Fielding’s first action as stand-in goalkeeper was to pick the ball out of the net following Josh Ashby’s exquisite free-kick.

A similar scenario occurred six minutes later when the same player displayed excellent technique to double the hosts’ advantage.

The second half saw a good Oxford side help themselves to three further goals against a tiring Angels side.

On 69 minutes there was a chance for Wood as the ball ran loose in the hosts’ penalty area, but he couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

On his decision to go without a goalkeeper on the bench McKimm explained that his son Toby, who has often taken that role, had been offered the opportunity of a dual registration at Isthmian Premier side Merstham.

McKimm said: “In hindsight of course we needed him here but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

“Last week I put a substitute on the field, Tommy Wood, and he sews up the game for us, this week I’m beating myself up for not having a sub keeper.

“I have to take it on the chin. We’ll go away, lick our wounds and look forward to entertaining Braintree at Longmead next Saturday.”

The defeat drops Tonbridge to 18th in the National League South table, while Oxford remain in third place.

The Kent and Sussex Courier covers areas including but not limited to Crowborough,  East Grinstead, Kilndown, Pembury, Tonbridge and, Tunbridge Wells.

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