Fogden keeps Hawks flying high

HAVANT & W 2 TONBRIDGE A 0

HAVANT kept the title race bubbling as they downed play-off chasing Tonbridge in a tense physical encounter.

Tonbridge finished the afternoon with ten men after goalkeeper Jon Henly sent off four minutes from time.

But the Hawks were already two-up by then, so the custodian’s enforced departure had little influence on the destination of the points.

The visitors started strongly and Nick Wheeler had the first clear chance of the match, hitting a fine shot just over the crossbar from 22 yards.

On 21 minutes, Wes Fogden volleyed Jason Prior’s cross against the crossbar with Henly beaten.

The opening goal came eight minutes later.

Dan Strugnell picked out a deep cross which was headed across goal by Prior for Theo Lewis to stoop to head home from two yards.

The game was nip and tuck until the deciding goal seven minutes from time.

Rory Williams’ free-kick was blocked but fell to the energetic man-of-the-match Fogden just inside the penalty box and he swivelled past two players before firing home.

The visitors almost hit back immediately as a free-kick was launched into the box by substitute Tom Phipp and evaded everyone but went wide.

Henly was dismissed with just four minutes left.

He was awarded a freekick but took exception to Alfie Rutherford’s challenge and after pushing him to the ground was dismissed for violent conduct.

Angels had already used all three substitutes so defender Ugo Udoji was forced to take over between the sticks.

However, in the second minute of stoppage-time, he tipped a Rutherford effort onto the post.