Tadley Calleva make it two in a row with Abbey Rangers win
Tadley Calleva’s 2-0 win at home to Abbey Rangers was another much needed boost for the side.
The visit of their Kent-based opponents also saw a cameo from the well-travelled bust of Isaac Newell, the Kent schoolteacher who gave his name to Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys.
Newell's en el mundo. Isaac Newell bust on tour. @tadleycallevafc versus @fc_abbeyrangers in the @ComCoFL in deepest Hampshire. 'Calleva' is a nod to the local Roman settlement of Calleva Atrebatum pic.twitter.com/aUagXEDaNx
— UK 'Lepers' (Isaac Newell/Newell's Old Boys) (@IsaacStatue) March 2, 2025
Connor Thorne and Brett Denham both returned to the matchday squad on the bench, while Ash Neal earned a start at number ten.
Keeper Craig Atkinson did fantastically well to tip an early Rangers shot onto the bar just fifteen minutes in, as an even first half played out.
Loose balls in the midfield seemed to be the order of the day, with very few chances being created for either side.
0-0 at half-time, the game needed a spark to truly get going.
Ash Neal, given his chance to play just behind the striker, stepped forward and delivered one.
In truth, it was Olly Rowan who did the hard work, doing well out wide to deliver a dangerous ball into the box.
This was flicked on into the path of Neal, who tapped home for the opener.
https://t.co/DvcmicQiMT pic.twitter.com/sbt9eJE62O
— Tadley-Calleva FC (@tadleycallevafc) March 1, 2025
Calleva had the ball in the net straight from a corner a few minutes later, although this was ruled out for a foul on the keeper.
As the contest rolled on, Tadley continued to apply pressure, chasing a second goal to put the game to bed.
Connor Thorne arrived for Alex Miller out wide, while Kieran Rodgers and Dan Williamson were replaced by Aime Kamdem & Brett Denham.
For Tadley’s final substitution, Ash Neal was replaced by Samuel Tsefu.
Tsefu made an instant impact, latching onto a long free-kick into the box to score with his first touch for 2-0.
This wrapped up a wholly positive Tadley performance, with a clinical second-half securing a deserved three points.
GOOOOOOOOOAL
— Tadley-Calleva FC (@tadleycallevafc) March 1, 2025
AN INSTANT IMPACT.
Samuel Tsefu with his first touch of the game extends our lead with just minutes to go.
88’ | 2-0 pic.twitter.com/QKrVgBummY
Calleva looked back to their old selves, positive and confident going forward while remaining disciplined defensively thanks to the presence of Andrew Charsley, who seemed to win every header.
Tadley sit seventh in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
They have a game in hand on the final play-off side, Fleet Town, but trail them by twelve points.
They face Tooting & Mitcham away from home on Saturday, requiring something close to perfection from their remaining games if they are to make the top five this year.
