Match Report: Tonbridge Women

Maidstone United Women moved to the top of the table with one game remaining after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tonbridge Angels Women in a sun-soaked showdown at Longmead Stadium.

With summer in the air and a bumper crowd in attendance for a huge Step 7 fixture, the occasion had all the feel of a match far beyond its level. The support on show underlined the impact both sides have made this season, with plenty at stake with a tense opening to match.

The first 10 minutes were a cagey affair as both teams looked to settle, but it was the hosts who struck first on 13 minutes with their first real effort of the afternoon. From a restart, Cresswell delivered a cross into the box which found an unmarked Farnham at the back post. She helped the ball on to Aimee Churchill, who applied the finishing touch to give Tonbridge the lead.

The Stones responded well. Two minutes later, Neve Platt tested the Tonbridge keeper from range, although her effort was straight at goal, while at the other end Churchill saw a shot from the edge of the area well gathered by Cara Davies.

Maidstone were beginning to grow into the game and went close on 20 minutes. Annie White won the ball and launched it long, picking out Kelsi Wilkinson. The forward put the Tonbridge defender under intense pressure, eventually forcing her way past and firing narrowly wide of the post.

The equaliser arrived on 25 minutes. White again was involved, knocking the ball forward to Kylie Manktelow, who could not quite bring it under control. Chi Madamombe reacted quickest to win the loose ball and played it into the path of Georgia Culpitt, who had space to compose herself before calmly slotting into the bottom corner.

There was then a major turning point just before the half hour mark. From a freekick on the halfway line, Pearch sent the ball into the box towards Culpitt, who had timed her run perfectly. As she moved in, she was nudged by Bougtaoui and collided heavily with Tonbridge keeper Bartlett, who came off worse and needed treatment for a head injury. With no recognised goalkeeper available, defender Beth Kemp was forced to take over between the posts.

Maidstone nearly made that advantage count on 35 minutes. Pearch’s long ball down the right found Wilkinson, who fed the ball inside for Platt. Her fierce strike from distance beat the stand-in keeper but crashed back off the crossbar.

That let-off proved crucial, as Tonbridge regained the lead a minute later. A loose clearance from Etheridge fell kindly for Herbert-Smith, who spotted Davies off her line and looped an effort over the Stones stopper to make it 2-1.

But Maidstone refused to let the setback knock them off course and, deep into first-half stoppage time, found a deserved leveller. Madamombe won possession on the halfway line and produced a sublime through ball for Wilkinson, who raced clear and coolly slotted past Kemp to level the scores with virtually the last kick of the half.

Tonbridge started the second half with Bartlett back in goal, although she was only able to continue for seven minutes before being withdrawn once more.

Maidstone threatened again on 49 minutes when Manktelow’s corner struck the bar, but the Stones did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. Just a minute later, they took the lead for the first time. Culpitt played the ball forward to Manktelow, who won her header and sent it on into Madamombe’s path. The midfielder drove through two defenders before finishing confidently into the bottom right corner to make it 3-2.

With the advantage secured, Maidstone continued to create chances. On 65 minutes, a throw deep inside the Stones half eventually worked its way to Wilkinson, who switched play brilliantly into the path of Tilly Rowsell. Her first-time effort flashed just wide, with Madamombe only a step away from converting.

Three minutes later, Culpitt delivered a dangerous first-time cross that looped over the goalkeeper and dropped agonisingly just above Rowsell’s head as she charged in at the far post.

The Stones continued to threaten from distance throughout the second half, while remaining alert at the other end. In stoppage time Herbert-Smith found Mayhead in the box, but her turn and shot was straight at Davies, who held on comfortably.

After more than nine minutes of added time, the full-time whistle sparked celebrations from the Maidstone players and supporters alike.

A huge three points on the road means Maidstone United Women go top of the league with just one game left to play, and the title race now firmly in their hands.