Tonbridge Angels Academy 2 VCD Athletic Academy 0

Match 33/20/1836 - Wednesday, 4th November 2020 - National League U19 Conference

Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 2 Wootton 18,80
VCD Athletic (0) 0
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 34/1,940

Two goals from Cameron Wootton was enough for our Academy to take the points from a rather laboured performance against a resolute VCD Athletic.

Tommy Parkinson commented after the game that a lack of game time as a team, due to the FA Youth Cup run, and no game for three weeks had led to fitness levels falling away in the second half. Unfortunately, this situation is about to get worse as the league goes into suspension during the lockdown.

Tonbridge started brightly and, after 14 minutes, Ned Lewis and Wootton combined well to set up an opportunity for Louis Copeland, but the winger got the ball stuck under his feet and the chance disappeared.

A minute later the visiting goalkeeper was brought into action making a fine low save from a shot from skipper Ben Twist.

The opening goal, on 18 minutes, was crafted down the right hand side by Chester Smith and Copeland, whose cross was bundled home at the near post by Wootton.

The Angels continued to dominate and Wootton and Luca Woodhouse, with a 20 yard shot, were again denied by good goalkeeping.

VCD were finding it hard to break down the Angels defence, mustering just a single shot on goal in the first period.

Copeland was forced out of the game with a calf injury being replaced at half-time by Billy Kent.

Territorially the second period started in a similar vein with the goalkeeper making an early save to thwart Lewis but VCD were beginning to show some threat on the counter attack and from a Tonbridge corner, a clearance found three players bearing down on Smith, who kept his cool and successfully robbed the VCD man of the ball before he could release one of his accompanying attackers.

After 67 minutes, Charlie Martin was called into his first serious action, advancing and saving with his feet from another breakaway.

Chester Smith, deservedly named man of the match, produced a defence splitting pass with 10 minutes to go for Wootton to run clear and plant a well struck shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

In an effort to salvage something from the game deep into injury time, VCD’s goalkeeper came forward for a corner and was very nearly rewarded when his header was brilliantly saved by Martin and cleared to safety.

Parkinson was pleased with the clean sheet and thought that the defensive unit was superb with first year students Smith and Joe Tyrie outstanding.