Bearsted had to come from behind and snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat against Tunbridge Wells, in a game that the home side dominated for large parts.

They nearly rued this result as the first half they dominated and should have been more than one up and then the second half saw Tunbridge Wells dominate for thirty-five minutes and take a deserved lead but unfortunately for them, they conceded an equaliser in stoppage time.

Tunbridge Wells started the quicker and had their first and only real chance of the half when in the fourth minute a ball into the area saw Ryan Blake give the ball away in the area but luckily for him he had a second chance to clear it but his miss kick fell to Jack Gallagher and from three yards saw his shot blocked by Frankie Leonard.

A minute later Bearsted had their first chance when Daniel Melvin broke down the left and his cross from the by-line into the area found Richard Jimoh, but he headed over the bar from eight yards. 

In the 13^th minute some intricate play on the left saw the ball fall at Billy Lewins feet but his shot went over the bar. Bearsted continued to dominate possession and chances, in the 16^th minute Jimoh received the ball on the right, and he cut in and shot but it went wide.

Another chance came in the 23^rd minute when Jake Embury was put through and he raced into the area but saw his shot saved by George Bentley. Six minutes later Jimoh saw his low cross from the right find Lewins but again his shot went over the bar, and then in the 32^nd minute Bearsted took a deserved lead when Lewins in the area saw his shot parried away by Bentley but straight to James Bessey-Saldanah and from fifteen yards shot into the net.

Half time arrived and the only disappointment for Bearsted manager Kevin Stevens was that they were only one up while Steve Ives Tunbridge Wells manager would be glad his side were still in the game.

Tunbridge Well came out a different animal as they went at Bearsted and in the 52^nd minute they equalise when Deshon Carty saw his twenty-yard shot beat Leonard. Two minutes later it could and maybe should have seen them take the lead when D’Armando Lawrence was through on goal, but Leonard came out and saved his shot via his legs.

In the 55^th minute in a rare attack Sam Stace saw his twenty-yard shot parried away by Bentley. Seven minutes later Tunbridge Wells took the lead when a free kick into the area was headed in by Mo Alaka.

In the 69^th minute a quick free kick saw Lewins try his luck from fifteen yards, but Bentley tipped it around the post. A minute later Tunbridge should have increased their lead when a breakaway saw Lawrence in on goal, but his shot was saved by Leonards legs.

Bearsted after this started to gain some steam and peppered the Tunbridge Wells goal without causing any problems then in the second minute of added on time Bassey-Saldinha twenty yards out saw his shot pushed around the post.

From the resulting corner by Stace into the six-yard box Lewins was first to it and stabbed home. The game went on for another eight minutes with both teams trying to get a winner but to no avail so they had to settle for one point each.

       Bearsted:

1. F.Leonard  2. S.Flisher  3. D.Melvin (78)  4. J.Trespadene  5. R.Blake  6. D.Keyte  7. J.Bessey-Saldinha

8.   B.Lewins  9. J.Embery  10. S.Stace  11. R.Jimoh (66)

Subs Ued: 12. N.Light (66)  16. J.Nurden (78)

Subs Not Used:  14. A.Clark  15. S.Jackson  17. J.Palmby

Bookings:  6. D.Keyte (61  2. S.Flisher (90+7)  10. S.Stace (90+9)

       Tunbridge Wells:

1. G.Bentley   2. J.Nolan   3. M.Alaka (84)   4. L.Allen  5. M.Samson  6. T.Penford (56)

7.    D.Carty (74)  8. C.Lawal  9. D.Lawrence (78)  10. J.Gallagher (90+6)  11. R.Corke

Subs Ued:  12, R.Coltress (56)   15. M.Dunmall (74) 17. L.Vowels (78) 16. B.Austin (84)  T.Crampton (90+6) 

Subs Not Used: All Used

Bookings: 11. R.Corke (64)

Referee: Mr. A.Gillespie

Assistants:  Mr G.Smart & Mr S.Girt

Att: 131

Image courtesy of Tunbridge Wells FC