Bulmers Cider Kent Premier League

Tunbridge Wells 4  Lordswood 1   

by Darrell Harman           

BEN Hilden was sent off after 16 minutes as Lordswood’s terrible end to the season continued.

They had been wondering if their luck would ever change came and if they could muster an away win against opponents who themselves are having a bad time.

The visitors didn't make a bad start and a ninth minute Darren Bridges free kick was deflected and keeper Michael Czanner saved at the post. 

Wells' first chance came in the 12th minute when Michael Lord swivelled and shot just wide from 12 yards, but Lords were pretty much undone when a long diagonal ball caught their defence out Lord went on into the area, feinted and after getting past debut-making keeper Alex Jackson shot goalwards.

Hilden, making a return to the ground he graced last season, got his head in the way but the referee thought gave a penalty for handball and sent the Lordswood player off.

Lord made no mistake from the spot and Lords had a mountain to climb.

Joel Melville’s pace caused Wells some problems and on 22 minutes he weaved his way into the area forced Czanner to a save.

Jackson thwarted Lord at the other end, but the gamewas pretty much up when the home side struck three times in the 15 minutes leading up to half-time.

Luke Wallond scored twice and Matt Newman got the other one to leave Lords playing only for pride in the second period.

As it happens they restored some of their pride with a battling second half effort highlighted by a 69th goal by Melville.

Darren Bridges hit the post with a curling 25-yarder soon after and in the 81st minute Nathan Nelson forced the keeper to another save.

Wells did hit the post themselves, but Lords at least gave them something to think about and must have wondered what might have happened had they kept a full complement of players on the pitch.