Difficult Night at Krooner Park

Set pieces ultimately decided the outcome at Krooner Park on Wednesday 25th October as Tadley fell to a 3-2 defeat at the home of Camberley Town FC.

Backed by a good number of travelling support, Tadley-Calleva were looking to avenge Saturday's penalty heartbreak in the FA Vase, and continue their unbeaten league run to 8 games.

The hosts came into the game off the back of a weekend break due to their exit from the FA Vase in the 2nd qualifying round.

Tadley got the game underway and started brightly and, in the second minute of the game, it seemed that club record goal scorer Brett Denham had given them an early lead after breaching the Camberley defence. To Denham's anguish, shared by the Tadley supporters, the linesman flag went up and Denham was adjudged offside.

After this point, the game became very even with most of the play being contested in the middle of the park as both sides looked to obtain dominance. As the game opened up there looked to be some good chances in the offing had it not been for both teams' final balls being off the mark.

The game came to life in the 23rd minute when a corner from the right-hand side was missed by Tadley goalkeeper Atkinson and subsequently deflected into the path of Camberley number 10 Ginaluca Botti who was well placed for an easy tap in to open the scoring.

Camberley Town 1-0 TCFC

Buoyant from their opener, the hosts came forward again and just 5 minutes later, on 28 minutes they scored a near identical goal to the first. A ball over from a corner was not dealt with at the back post which allowed it to be headed back into the 6-yard box for a second tap in, this time by captain, Lee.

2-0

Tadley needed to get back into this game quickly, and they did. 2 minutes after conceding the second, Alfie Saunders put it an excellent cross from right back which found Kinge in the box who had time to chest the ball into the path of Brett Denham who smashed the ball into the top corner to half the host's lead. Just before half time, Tadley had the chance to go into the break level but Brad Neals shot from just behind the penalty spot went agonisingly over the bar.

Half time – Camberley Town 2-1 TCFC

The second 45 saw the introduction of Kalum Cousins who replaced Jordan Goater. It started cagey once more with very little opportunities for both sides, again, the final ball at either end letting them down.

On the 60th minute, Camberley thought they had regained their 2-goal advantage but a late flag from the official denied Botti his 2nd goal of the evening.

The next 10 minutes saw wholesale changes for Tadley who replaced 4 players as they looked to press for an equaliser.

And they did just that. Substitute Jamie Johnston picked up the ball near the half way line and took on his defender, beating him once, twice and the third time which allowed him to put in a deep cross which found Ben Wright exposed at the back post. A volley hit into the ground bounced and lobbed the helpless goalkeeper to bring Tadley level

2-2

As Tadley pushed, and looked good for a winner, the home side looked to hit them on the counter attack.

With the clock running down, there was a scramble for the ball in which several players contesting. To the amazement of Tadley captain, Tom Walsh, the referee awarded the home side a free kick, about 30 yards from goal on the right-hand side. Walsh was subsequently sin-binned after what we can only imagine was for dissent.

The resulting free kick was taken left footed to the back post where 3 Camberley players were queuing up to head the ball home. Lee got this first and put the ball past Atkinson to score his second of the game and Camberley'sthird. Restoring their league with just 7 minutes to go.

Tadley pushed and pushed in the final minutes but to no avail and lost their unbeaten league run. They will be looking to bounce back on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Horley Town to Barlows Park.

Final Score

Camberley Town 3-2 Tadley-Calleva

Attendance 62 (31 Away)