Tonbridge Angels 0 Bath City 1

Match 22/21/1887 - Saturday, 21st August 2021 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Bath City (1) 1 Cooke 7
Attendance: 637

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/1,149

So, we are almost out of firsts, thank god for that I hear you say! But, for the record, Tonbridge Angels welcomed a crowd back to Longmead for the first time in 553 days. Sadly, the majority of those fans were not rewarded with three points but it was so good to hear the sound of supporters singing and cheering on their favourites, whether that be Angels fans or the sizeable contingent that had made the long journey up from Bath.

That journey was obviously onerous as the kick-off had to be delayed for 15 minutes as the Bath City coach only arrived at the ground at 2:25 pm. Prior to the game a minute’s applause was observed for all those associated with Tonbridge Angels who have passed away during those intervening 553 days. In among the names announced by the stadium announcer were an ex-Chairman, several ex-players and much-loved fellow supporters including my own dear friend Geoffrey Calderhead.

The game was a tight affair, just three shots on goal between the two sides, and it was settled early in the contest.

For the second time in this embryonic season, the Angels fell behind in the opening ten minutes. From a Tonbridge attack in which Ibrahim Olutade got a shot away that was comfortably saved by the Bath City goalkeeper, Ryan Clarke, literally a couple of passes later, Coady Cooke was one-on-one with Jonny Henly, finishing well into the far corner.

Neither side managed to assert any dominance with Aaron Smith-Joseph firing into the side netting after 38 minutes the closest either side came to adding to the score sheet.

The home side began the second period on the front foot with good crosses coming in from Smith-Joseph and Ricky Modeste but each time the ball evaded an attacker by a matter of inches.

After 71 minutes, Joe Turner registered a shot on target and with four minutes remaining, a Tom Beere corner appeared to be curling straight in but the ball drifted just wide.

There was one last opportunity but a Turner free kick from the edge of the box sailed over the bar and the visitors were celebrating their victory.

This was a much improved performance from the Angels, who deserved something from the game but the lack of quality in the final third was their undoing.