Tyler McCarthy’s brilliant second half save was the highlight as injury-hit Sevenoaks Town claimed their first Pitching In Isthmian League South East away win of the season on Saturday.
McCarthy saved from Warren Mfula early on, but it was his flying leap to keep out Rodney Eruotor’s curling free kick that caught the eye, tipping it onto his left hand post to safety.
The Oaks No.1 still earns £20 from his dad Chris, himself a former ‘keeper for every clean sheet in a family tradition going back to when he was a kid, and perhaps deserved double for this one.
He and opposite number, former Corinthian stopper Aiden Prall were the stars of the show, pulling off several fine saves in a match that seemed poised to end in stalemate until home forward Jefferson Aibangbee headed into his own net with 11 minutes left.
Boss Harry Hudson admitted last Wednesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Corinthian was the worst display so far in his time in charge – not helped by losing Yahya Bamba (ankle) and Sammy Johnson (concussion) to a mounting injury list.Ryan Gondoh (hamstring), Jordy Ndozid (foot) and Corey Holder (knee) were all ruled out at the weekend, while Dan Hector has left to join Leathehead.
Hudson named four new signings at the weekend, with Fumnaya Shomotun making his debut after moving from Kingstonian, while substitute Will Hoare, back from a spell in Sweden, replaced Kyle De Silva, injured inside the opening half hour.
Prall denied Oaks early on keeping out Shotomun, while McCarthy matched him four minutes later, diving full length to his left to stop Warren Mfula’s effort from the edge of the area. Frankie Morgan saw his dipping cross from the far touchline bounce off the visitors bar, then Billy Bennett, one of four ex-Oaks in the home line-up, fired wide just before half time following a swift break.
Two Bradley Wilson second half corners caused problems in the home box, Prall flapping at first one, while the second saw stand-in skipper Bentley Graham miss out with a far post header.
Karn Miller-Neave was involved in both incidents leading to the goal – first Prall pushed his shot for a corner, the Oaks defender’s near post kick headed into his net by the diving Jefferson Aibangbee.
Oaks finished strongly with Prall saving from Bradley Wilson, Shotomun and Freddie Parker in a lively final seven minutes.
Sevenoaks Town: Tyler McCarthy, Dami Olorunnisomo, Karn Miller-Neave, Emmanuel Mensah, Matthew Weaire, Lexus Beeden, Kyle De Silva (Will Hoare 28 mins), Bradley Wilson, Freddie Parker, Fumnaya Shomotun, Bentley Graham.
