Wednesday 29 September 2021
Staplehurst Monarchs United 1 Larkfield & New Hythe 2
Staplehurst Monarchs United (1) 1 Jones 40
Larkfield & New Hythe (1) 2 Jackson 28 West 51
Attendance: 127
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 2/2,113
It was the first chilly evening of the season and with Champions League football on pay-per-view television, the turn-out of 127 was quite impressive.
Since my visit pre-season not only have the lights been erected but the 50-seater stand has been situated on the base that was already there back in August. Hardly a thing of beauty but functional and, as they say, it does what it says on the tin.
There was a sprinkling of ex-Tunbridge Wells players on both sides of the pitch with Jake Beecroft and Brett Ince in the starting line-up with Lewis Mingle on the bench for Larkfield and in the Staplehurst side were Steve Lawrence and Sam Jones. Sadly, Alex Bishop recently suffered a bad leg break in a game that needed to be abandoned because of the severity of the injury.
Larkfield dominated from the outset with Luke Baptiste to the fore and he forced Lawrence into the first save of the game. Meanwhile Staplehurst also looked dangerous on the break with one attack after 16 minutes ending with a cross that only just eluded an onrushing forward.
But, eventually, the visitors took the lead after 28 minutes when a free kick from Sam Welch found the head of Josh Jackson at the far post to score.
Larkfield, for a while, took control of the game and it was against the run of play when, with five minutes to half-time, Staplehurst won a free kick on the left hand edge of the box. Jones took the kick which rebounded from the wall back to him and his hard driven shot fairly whistled into the far corner.
Staplehurst might even have had an unlikely lead at the break as first an effort was just wide and then, in added time, following a fumble from goalkeeper, Nathan Carter, a goalmouth scramble ended with the ball hacked to safety.
The ground hopping fraternity was in evidence and the half-time break was 15 minutes of their recent adventures.
They didn’t have to wait long into the second half for a further goal with Larkfield regaining the lead after 51 minutes when a corner from Welch was met with an unchallenged header by Stuart West.
Monarchs had a golden chance to get back on level terms within a minute when a corner of their own was met, in front of goal, by Carl West but his shot went over the bar.
Whilst the game was evenly poised, Larkfield largely remained in control and went close to adding to their score when Ellis Green struck the bar after 71 minutes. They comfortably saw out the closing minutes of the game to run out deserving winners but there was plenty for the home side’s support to feel optimistic about on the field and they can be proud of the massive strides they have made off it.
Tuesday 28 September 2021
Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Croydon U18 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 6 Hartley 12,65,72 Wootton 57 London 61 Hermitage 69
Croydon (0) 0
Attendance: 133
Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,111
Five second half goals in 15 minutes turned a competitive FA Youth Cup game into a rout with a Fin Hartley hat-trick the highlight as Tonbridge Angels progressed into the Third Qualifying Round.
A naturally delighted Tommy Parkinson said after the game: "First half I didn't think we were at the levels we expect of the lads but second half we stepped it up, scored some some well worked goals, and thoroughly deserved the win."
A cautious start from both sides was broken after 12 minutes when an effort from Hartley deceived the Croydon goalkeeper, Daniel O’Donovan to sail over his head and into the far corner. The Angels’ celebration cared little whether he meant it or not!
From being in control of the game, the Angels defence put themselves under pressure with some careless passing. After 17 minutes, goalkeeper Nat Gibb retrieved a situation with a save from Croydon’s Blessing Mombasa after an initial hesitation had offered the striker the chance.
But it was the Angels that largely dominated the half and they might have gone into the break two goals ahead when a flowing move saw Cameron Wootton’s first shot parried by the goalkeeper and the follow-up only finding the side netting.
The opening of the second period saw a far more positive Croydon side and Gibb was twice called upon in the first five minutes to save from Bola Noikin and Mombasa.
Having survived the opening 10 minutes with their lead intact, Tonbridge went two up after 57 minutes when central defender Tom Green crossed for Wootton to eventually bundle the ball home at the far post.
This began the 15 minute spell that blew the game away from the visitors. After 61 minutes a cross from the right was half cleared to the edge of the box from where Harry London’s superb volley whistled into the bottom corner.
Four more minutes passed when Hartley was sent through and his cleverly dinked shot over the advancing O’Donovan surely put the game out of Croydon’s reach.
After 69 minutes, Hartley turned provider and Ben Hermitage finished well and as the Croydon heads dropped, Hermitage returned the compliment and Hartley completed his hat-trick, with, once more, a cleverly dinked finish.
The game was over but not quite for the impressive, man of the match Hartley. Firstly, he took a knock and had to leave the field but with all substitutes used, he returned only to pick up a yellow card! All in a night’s work for the 16-year-old!
With a crowd of 133 in attendance, the draw will be eagerly awaited later this week to see who and where the Angels’ youngsters will be playing in the final qualifying round scheduled for the week of Monday, 11th October.
Gateshead 3 Gloucester City 0
Match 35/21/1900 - Saturday, 25th September 2021 - National League North
Gateshead (1) 3 Tinkler 24 Campbell 50 Scott 61
Gloucester City (0) 0
Attendance: 833
New Ground: 347
Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 66/2,073
A week in beautiful Northumberland offered a trip to a new ground, supposedly not something of beauty, the Gateshead International Stadium for the National League North encounter between Gateshead and Gloucester City.
A mere Facebook post relating to parking at the stadium (there is plenty) brought several derogatory replies ranging from soulless to “the worst ground in existence” citing a complete lack of atmosphere to a warning that there would be no wheels left on my car!
In truth, let’s face it, no football ground with its pitch inside of an eight lane running track with a long jump track and pit adding to the distance, is going to provide perfect viewing. But the view from the only occupied stand was acceptable. Tonbridge Angels’ Twitter Queen had put us in touch with her nephew, Dan and father Billy, who are season ticket holders at Gateshead, and Dan explained that when the bigger clubs of the North visit, York, Spennymoor and Blyth, they would occupy and fill the stand opposite.
With only one stand open, the atmosphere could easily have been soulless but credit to the Gateshead support, they were loud, boisterous and certainly created something a long, long way from soulless.
Whilst it was not exactly definitive examination of the standard of the North against the South, on his viewing there was was not a great deal of difference between the two. Gateshead were decent; Gloucester City certainly were not and their manager Paul Groves paid with his job after a comfortable defeat.
From the outset Gloucester were on the back foot and the only surprise was that it took 24 minutes for the Heed to break through. A free kick from the left was headed clear but only to the feet of Robbie Tinkler whose first time volley from 25 yards whistled into the bottom corner giving ex-Maidstone goalkeeper Jake Cole no chance.
In a rare foray into home territory, Gateshead’s goalkeeper, Jacob Chapman made a superb double save from Jordan Youngs.
But normal service was resumed and Gateshead went close several times before a corner from Greg Olley swerved towards goal and Cole needed to touch the ball onto the crossbar and out for another corner.
Dreadful defending allowed Gateshead to increase their lead five minutes into the second half as a cross from the excellent Macaulay Langstaff, my man of the match, found Cedwyn Scott, who could not sort his feet out, but the ball found its way to Adam Campbell who scored with ease.
Just past the hour, it was game over as Scott ran on to a Langstaff pass to drive a shot past Cole.
The game rather petered out in the last half-hour, for Gateshead it was job done and Gloucester had neither the guile or cutting edge to land even a consolation blow on the home side.
It was a good afternoon, completed nicely, by being able to fill the tank of the car in these days of fuel crisis, to enable us to have a worry-free drive back to Kent.
Gateshead (1) 3 Tinkler 24 Campbell 50 Scott 61
Gloucester City (0) 0
Attendance: 833
New Ground: 347
Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 66/2,073
A mere Facebook post relating to parking at the stadium (there is plenty) brought several derogatory replies ranging from soulless to “the worst ground in existence” citing a complete lack of atmosphere to a warning that there would be no wheels left on my car!
In truth, let’s face it, no football ground with its pitch inside of an eight lane running track with a long jump track and pit adding to the distance, is going to provide perfect viewing. But the view from the only occupied stand was acceptable. Tonbridge Angels’ Twitter Queen had put us in touch with her nephew, Dan and father Billy, who are season ticket holders at Gateshead, and Dan explained that when the bigger clubs of the North visit, York, Spennymoor and Blyth, they would occupy and fill the stand opposite.
With only one stand open, the atmosphere could easily have been soulless but credit to the Gateshead support, they were loud, boisterous and certainly created something a long, long way from soulless.
Whilst it was not exactly definitive examination of the standard of the North against the South, on his viewing there was was not a great deal of difference between the two. Gateshead were decent; Gloucester City certainly were not and their manager Paul Groves paid with his job after a comfortable defeat.
From the outset Gloucester were on the back foot and the only surprise was that it took 24 minutes for the Heed to break through. A free kick from the left was headed clear but only to the feet of Robbie Tinkler whose first time volley from 25 yards whistled into the bottom corner giving ex-Maidstone goalkeeper Jake Cole no chance.
In a rare foray into home territory, Gateshead’s goalkeeper, Jacob Chapman made a superb double save from Jordan Youngs.
But normal service was resumed and Gateshead went close several times before a corner from Greg Olley swerved towards goal and Cole needed to touch the ball onto the crossbar and out for another corner.
Dreadful defending allowed Gateshead to increase their lead five minutes into the second half as a cross from the excellent Macaulay Langstaff, my man of the match, found Cedwyn Scott, who could not sort his feet out, but the ball found its way to Adam Campbell who scored with ease.
Just past the hour, it was game over as Scott ran on to a Langstaff pass to drive a shot past Cole.
The game rather petered out in the last half-hour, for Gateshead it was job done and Gloucester had neither the guile or cutting edge to land even a consolation blow on the home side.
It was a good afternoon, completed nicely, by being able to fill the tank of the car in these days of fuel crisis, to enable us to have a worry-free drive back to Kent.
Saturday 18 September 2021
Hayes & Yeading United 5 Tonbridge Angels 0
Match 34/21/1899 - Saturday, 18th September 2021 - FA Cup 2QR
Hayes & Yeading United (1) 5 Amartey 27 Emmanuel 46 Jalloh 76 Nasha 83 Rowe 84
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 325
New Ground: 346
Admission: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 144/2,007
There was no magic of the FA Cup for Tonbridge Angels at the Skyex Community Stadium as they slumped to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Southern League Premier South leaders, Hayes and Yeading United.
A bitterly disappointed Steve McKimm held up his hands to being beaten by a better side but also adding that he felt he had been let down personally. He had wanted to replicate last year’s run to the First Round for the supporters who were denied their places at Longmead but it was not to be, in what could only be described as a second half horror show.
The opening 10 minutes or more had little to suggest how the afternoon was going to eventually pan out. The first warning shots came after 12 minutes when Dinesh Gillela surged from a full back position to force Jonny Henly into his first save of many during the afternoon, quickly followed by Moses Emmanuel’s effort that narrowly went past the far post.
The Angels responded and H&Y’s goalkeeper, Raven Constable, saved well from Tommy Wood with Tom Beere shooting the rebound over the bar.
After 20 minutes, Beere saw his shot dangerously deflected but Constable did well to recover and save.
Three minutes later, the Angels should have fallen behind when Francis Amartey was sent clear, rounded Henly but was denied by a miraculous goal line save from JJ O’Sullivan.
Tonbridge thought they had a good claim for a penalty when Harry Hudson appeared to be hauled to the ground following a corner but a minute later the ball broke to Amartey 20 yards from goal and his shot powered past Henly.
The game continued to be evenly contested and Beere was desperately unlucky when a free kick from 20 yards crashed down from the underside of the bar before being cleared to safety.
Henly saved well from Emmanuel but the game entered into the break with Hayes a goal to the good but with the Angels still completely in the game.
The second period started with the Angels searching for the equaliser with Beere testing the goalkeeper but a lightning break down the right from Amartey ended with a cross to Emmanuel whose first effort was brilliantly saved by Henly but he could do nothing as the rebound was forced home.
In the course of five minutes, McKimm made a treble substitution bringing on Ibrahim Olutade, Jamie Fielding and Zak Guerfi but it failed to stem the tide and Henly had to be at his very best to deny Hassan Jalloh twice in a minute.
But another pacy break saw the Angels cut apart as Amartey and Omar Rowe set up Jalloh to score from close range and effectively end the game as a contest.
Two desperately disappointing minutes from the 83rd brought two more goals as the Angels defence made disastrous errors handing goals for Amos Nasha and Rowe.
So this year’s FA Cup run was brought to an end before it really started and now face the difficult job of picking themselves up, dusting themselves down and starting again with the difficult task of the visit of Dorking Wanderers next Saturday.
Hayes & Yeading United (1) 5 Amartey 27 Emmanuel 46 Jalloh 76 Nasha 83 Rowe 84
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 325
New Ground: 346
Admission: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 144/2,007
A bitterly disappointed Steve McKimm held up his hands to being beaten by a better side but also adding that he felt he had been let down personally. He had wanted to replicate last year’s run to the First Round for the supporters who were denied their places at Longmead but it was not to be, in what could only be described as a second half horror show.
The opening 10 minutes or more had little to suggest how the afternoon was going to eventually pan out. The first warning shots came after 12 minutes when Dinesh Gillela surged from a full back position to force Jonny Henly into his first save of many during the afternoon, quickly followed by Moses Emmanuel’s effort that narrowly went past the far post.
The Angels responded and H&Y’s goalkeeper, Raven Constable, saved well from Tommy Wood with Tom Beere shooting the rebound over the bar.
After 20 minutes, Beere saw his shot dangerously deflected but Constable did well to recover and save.
Three minutes later, the Angels should have fallen behind when Francis Amartey was sent clear, rounded Henly but was denied by a miraculous goal line save from JJ O’Sullivan.
Tonbridge thought they had a good claim for a penalty when Harry Hudson appeared to be hauled to the ground following a corner but a minute later the ball broke to Amartey 20 yards from goal and his shot powered past Henly.
The game continued to be evenly contested and Beere was desperately unlucky when a free kick from 20 yards crashed down from the underside of the bar before being cleared to safety.
Henly saved well from Emmanuel but the game entered into the break with Hayes a goal to the good but with the Angels still completely in the game.
The second period started with the Angels searching for the equaliser with Beere testing the goalkeeper but a lightning break down the right from Amartey ended with a cross to Emmanuel whose first effort was brilliantly saved by Henly but he could do nothing as the rebound was forced home.
In the course of five minutes, McKimm made a treble substitution bringing on Ibrahim Olutade, Jamie Fielding and Zak Guerfi but it failed to stem the tide and Henly had to be at his very best to deny Hassan Jalloh twice in a minute.
But another pacy break saw the Angels cut apart as Amartey and Omar Rowe set up Jalloh to score from close range and effectively end the game as a contest.
Two desperately disappointing minutes from the 83rd brought two more goals as the Angels defence made disastrous errors handing goals for Amos Nasha and Rowe.
So this year’s FA Cup run was brought to an end before it really started and now face the difficult job of picking themselves up, dusting themselves down and starting again with the difficult task of the visit of Dorking Wanderers next Saturday.
Friday 17 September 2021
K Sports Under-18 1 Tonbridge Angels Under-18 3
Match 33/21/1898 - Friday, 17th September 2021 - FA Youth Cup 1QR
K Sports (1) 1 Gardiner 27 (pen)
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Wootton 45 Woodhouse 54 Hermitage 58
Attendance: TBC
Admission: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 28/1,863
Tonbridge Angels Youth team progressed to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, producing an excellent performance to come from a goal down to win by 3-1 at K Sports.
Their reward is a home tie against Croydon, who two seasons ago fought their way through to the Third Round Proper before going out to Wigan Athletic.
In front of a very healthy attendance, probably in excess of 200, both sides put on a show that was a credit to youth football.
The opening 25 minutes was very competitive with neither side getting completely on top. For the Angels, Cameron Wootton put a header narrowly wide after eight minutes and Ben Hermitage pressed the K Sports goalkeeper, Rohan Jull, into action on a couple of occasions.
After 25 minutes, the Angels goalkeeper Nat Gibb made his first save of the evening from Mackenzie Gardiner.
The home side took the lead after 27 minutes from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge. Gardiner converted, sending Gibb the wrong way.
The setback actually stirred Tonbridge into greater action and they started to dominate the game. Following a series of corners, claims were made that the ball had crossed the line following a header but the linesman was unmoved.
Efforts from Harry London and Wootton sailed over the bar before, in the first minute of added time, a brilliant cross from Leo Vowles found Wootton at the far post to score a well-deserved equaliser.
In the early moments of the second period, Vowles repeated the act but this time the ball narrowly evaded Wootton.
K Sports were hanging on, as Wootton was sent clear but denied by Jull with his feet, with the rebound falling to London who shot over the bar.
It did seem only a matter of time before the Angels got themselves in front and it duly came after 54 minutes when the ball was recycled to the left hand side of the box from where Luca Woodhouse drilled a fine shot into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later, it was 3-1 when Hermitage picked his spot from 25 yards to fire into the top corner with a shot that no goalkeeper was going to save.
On the hour, Tonbridge survived a scare when Gibb saved from Ayinde Galawu with the follow-up shot being cleared from the line by Kian Austin.
Tonbridge replaced their strikers, Wootton and Billy Kent who had worked tirelessly and looked the most likely to increase their lead in the closing stages as the Angels saw the game out with relative comfort.
Manager Tommy Parkinson was naturally delighted with his side’s fine performance, commenting after the match: “From start to finish we had the game under control. We had one scare from the penalty, other than that we dominated the game from start to finish.”
The Second Qualifying Round fixture is scheduled for the week of 27th September.
K Sports (1) 1 Gardiner 27 (pen)
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Wootton 45 Woodhouse 54 Hermitage 58
Attendance: TBC
Admission: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 28/1,863
Tonbridge Angels Youth team progressed to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, producing an excellent performance to come from a goal down to win by 3-1 at K Sports.
Their reward is a home tie against Croydon, who two seasons ago fought their way through to the Third Round Proper before going out to Wigan Athletic.
In front of a very healthy attendance, probably in excess of 200, both sides put on a show that was a credit to youth football.
The opening 25 minutes was very competitive with neither side getting completely on top. For the Angels, Cameron Wootton put a header narrowly wide after eight minutes and Ben Hermitage pressed the K Sports goalkeeper, Rohan Jull, into action on a couple of occasions.
After 25 minutes, the Angels goalkeeper Nat Gibb made his first save of the evening from Mackenzie Gardiner.
The home side took the lead after 27 minutes from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge. Gardiner converted, sending Gibb the wrong way.
The setback actually stirred Tonbridge into greater action and they started to dominate the game. Following a series of corners, claims were made that the ball had crossed the line following a header but the linesman was unmoved.
Efforts from Harry London and Wootton sailed over the bar before, in the first minute of added time, a brilliant cross from Leo Vowles found Wootton at the far post to score a well-deserved equaliser.
In the early moments of the second period, Vowles repeated the act but this time the ball narrowly evaded Wootton.
K Sports were hanging on, as Wootton was sent clear but denied by Jull with his feet, with the rebound falling to London who shot over the bar.
It did seem only a matter of time before the Angels got themselves in front and it duly came after 54 minutes when the ball was recycled to the left hand side of the box from where Luca Woodhouse drilled a fine shot into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later, it was 3-1 when Hermitage picked his spot from 25 yards to fire into the top corner with a shot that no goalkeeper was going to save.
On the hour, Tonbridge survived a scare when Gibb saved from Ayinde Galawu with the follow-up shot being cleared from the line by Kian Austin.
Tonbridge replaced their strikers, Wootton and Billy Kent who had worked tirelessly and looked the most likely to increase their lead in the closing stages as the Angels saw the game out with relative comfort.
Manager Tommy Parkinson was naturally delighted with his side’s fine performance, commenting after the match: “From start to finish we had the game under control. We had one scare from the penalty, other than that we dominated the game from start to finish.”
The Second Qualifying Round fixture is scheduled for the week of 27th September.
Wednesday 15 September 2021
Glebe 2 Tunbridge Wells 0
Match 32/21/1897 - Tuesday, 14th September 2021 - SCEFL Premier
Glebe (2) 2 Philpott 2, Watson 17
Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Attendance: TBC
Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 70/1,835
The overarching view that I brought away from this game is that the SCEFL is not the two horse race that I thought it was. Glebe are more than capable of pushing the illustrious two, Chatham Town and Sheppey United, all the way and the games with those two will be engaging encounters, especially at Foxbury Avenue.
So that be said, two goals down in a little more than quarter of an hour and sometimes clinging on mainly by the fingertips of Aaron Lee Wharton (ALW), Tunbridge Wells did well to maintain a foothold in the game until they kicked down the slope in the second half and became a threat of their own.
ALW was beaten after just 80 seconds when Jamie Philpott, leading goalscorer in the SCEFL, took aim from 25 yards and found the bottom corner for his 10th goal of the season.
The Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper was once more brought into action after seven minutes saving well from Charlie Penny but after constant pressure the home side doubled their lead with a goal of perfect execution after 17 minutes. Philpott was sent clear down the right, outpacing the Wells defence before crossing from the bye line for Aaron Watson to score from close range. The speed of the counter attack defied its Step Five status.
Tunbridge Wells were now under serious threat of getting overrun but slowly they got themselves into the game. George Kamurasi, in the Glebe goal, turned over a Robbie Bissett header from a free kick and Miles Cornwell went close on a couple of occasions.
A great save from ALW from a Penny header kept the scoreline at 2-0 going into the break.
ALW was back in action early in the second period saving from Ainsley Everitt before, with the benefit of the slope, the Wells started to dominate the game. Jon Shea saw his effort deflected over the bar from the head of a Glebe defender whilst Kyron Lightfoot was starting to trouble the home defence, but their efforts came to nothing in terms of the score line.
ALW’s final act of heroics came with five minutes to go when he miraculously saved from no more than a couple of yards at the feet of Sol Baugh.
The game became very tetchy in its closing minutes as first a melee ensued following a tackle from Harry Hudson that brought the Tunbridge Wells player a yellow card and then a horrible challenge from Baugh brought an even more fervent coming together of virtually everyone on the pitch before the referee brandished the red card to Glebe’s Baugh.
The point and the accolades go to Glebe and we look forward to those Big Three encounters with great interest but Tunbridge Wells can certainly draw positives from their resilience on a difficult evening.
Glebe (2) 2 Philpott 2, Watson 17
Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Attendance: TBC
Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 70/1,835
So that be said, two goals down in a little more than quarter of an hour and sometimes clinging on mainly by the fingertips of Aaron Lee Wharton (ALW), Tunbridge Wells did well to maintain a foothold in the game until they kicked down the slope in the second half and became a threat of their own.
ALW was beaten after just 80 seconds when Jamie Philpott, leading goalscorer in the SCEFL, took aim from 25 yards and found the bottom corner for his 10th goal of the season.
The Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper was once more brought into action after seven minutes saving well from Charlie Penny but after constant pressure the home side doubled their lead with a goal of perfect execution after 17 minutes. Philpott was sent clear down the right, outpacing the Wells defence before crossing from the bye line for Aaron Watson to score from close range. The speed of the counter attack defied its Step Five status.
Tunbridge Wells were now under serious threat of getting overrun but slowly they got themselves into the game. George Kamurasi, in the Glebe goal, turned over a Robbie Bissett header from a free kick and Miles Cornwell went close on a couple of occasions.
A great save from ALW from a Penny header kept the scoreline at 2-0 going into the break.
ALW was back in action early in the second period saving from Ainsley Everitt before, with the benefit of the slope, the Wells started to dominate the game. Jon Shea saw his effort deflected over the bar from the head of a Glebe defender whilst Kyron Lightfoot was starting to trouble the home defence, but their efforts came to nothing in terms of the score line.
ALW’s final act of heroics came with five minutes to go when he miraculously saved from no more than a couple of yards at the feet of Sol Baugh.
The game became very tetchy in its closing minutes as first a melee ensued following a tackle from Harry Hudson that brought the Tunbridge Wells player a yellow card and then a horrible challenge from Baugh brought an even more fervent coming together of virtually everyone on the pitch before the referee brandished the red card to Glebe’s Baugh.
The point and the accolades go to Glebe and we look forward to those Big Three encounters with great interest but Tunbridge Wells can certainly draw positives from their resilience on a difficult evening.
Saturday 11 September 2021
Dartford 1 Tonbridge Angels 1
Match 31/21/1896 - Saturday, 11th September 2021 - National League South
Dartford (1) 1 Jebb 45+2
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Wood 24
Attendance: 1,273
Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 62/1,765
It was always going to be the sternest of challenges for Tonbridge Angels visit to Princes Park and National League South hot favourites Dartford who had an unblemished record from their first five games.
But, as the Angels’ supporters filed away from Princes, if they could have been party to Steve McKimm’s post match comments, they would have given a rousing “hear, hear”!
Steve commented: “I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. They did exactly what we asked them to do. It wasn’t as if we sat everyone behind the ball. We stood strong and credit to every one of the players for a deserved point today.”
Tonbridge were simply magnificent, fully deserving of their point and, arguably could have taken all three with a first-ever win at Princes Park.
McKimm chose an unchanged side with Tommy Parkinson and Zak Guerfi returning to the bench alongside new signing Jamie Fielding.
The away fans, perhaps fearing the worst from the outset were nervously viewing the opening minutes when Jonny Henly made a fine save from Dan Roberts and from the resultant corner a header was directed over.
After 17 minutes, the visitors received a set back when the lively Ricky Modeste had to be replaced by Parkinson, but Tonbridge started to get a foothold in the game and the momentum was swinging in their favour.
Successive corners were forced, a free kick in a dangerous position was won and, on 24 minutes, a pin-point Joe Turner cross found the head of Tommy Wood, whose firm header from close range gave goalkeeper Dan Wilks no chance.
Tonbridge were absorbing any pressure comfortably whilst creating chances of their own and a 41st minute effort from Parkinson was not that far wide.
The half had entered into added time when from a free kick, Dartford’s Jack Jebb struck the right hand post, but a minute later the home side scored to enter the break on equal terms. A long ball forward saw Henly advance beyond his penalty area to head clear but the ball fell to Jebb who clinically executed a lob into the unguarded goal.
As would have been expected of the League leaders, Dartford came out in the second half with renewed purpose but the Tonbridge back line withstood the expected pressure and, on the break, were proving dangerous with Turner firing narrowly wide after 55 minutes.
Roberts brought a good low save from Henly on the hour whilst Beere tested Wilks at the other end.
Thirteen minutes from the end, the hard-working Wood was replaced by Ibrahim Olutade and five minutes later, the visiting support thought they were in dreamland when he met a Beere cross to head home. Sadly the celebrations were curtailed by the linesman’s flag indicating offside.
The closing moments were nervous ones but, in fairness, the Angels kept their hosts at arms length really quite comfortably to exact a point from a difficult place to get anything at all.
Dartford (1) 1 Jebb 45+2
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Wood 24
Attendance: 1,273
Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 62/1,765
But, as the Angels’ supporters filed away from Princes, if they could have been party to Steve McKimm’s post match comments, they would have given a rousing “hear, hear”!
Steve commented: “I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. They did exactly what we asked them to do. It wasn’t as if we sat everyone behind the ball. We stood strong and credit to every one of the players for a deserved point today.”
Tonbridge were simply magnificent, fully deserving of their point and, arguably could have taken all three with a first-ever win at Princes Park.
McKimm chose an unchanged side with Tommy Parkinson and Zak Guerfi returning to the bench alongside new signing Jamie Fielding.
The away fans, perhaps fearing the worst from the outset were nervously viewing the opening minutes when Jonny Henly made a fine save from Dan Roberts and from the resultant corner a header was directed over.
After 17 minutes, the visitors received a set back when the lively Ricky Modeste had to be replaced by Parkinson, but Tonbridge started to get a foothold in the game and the momentum was swinging in their favour.
Successive corners were forced, a free kick in a dangerous position was won and, on 24 minutes, a pin-point Joe Turner cross found the head of Tommy Wood, whose firm header from close range gave goalkeeper Dan Wilks no chance.
Tonbridge were absorbing any pressure comfortably whilst creating chances of their own and a 41st minute effort from Parkinson was not that far wide.
The half had entered into added time when from a free kick, Dartford’s Jack Jebb struck the right hand post, but a minute later the home side scored to enter the break on equal terms. A long ball forward saw Henly advance beyond his penalty area to head clear but the ball fell to Jebb who clinically executed a lob into the unguarded goal.
As would have been expected of the League leaders, Dartford came out in the second half with renewed purpose but the Tonbridge back line withstood the expected pressure and, on the break, were proving dangerous with Turner firing narrowly wide after 55 minutes.
Roberts brought a good low save from Henly on the hour whilst Beere tested Wilks at the other end.
Thirteen minutes from the end, the hard-working Wood was replaced by Ibrahim Olutade and five minutes later, the visiting support thought they were in dreamland when he met a Beere cross to head home. Sadly the celebrations were curtailed by the linesman’s flag indicating offside.
The closing moments were nervous ones but, in fairness, the Angels kept their hosts at arms length really quite comfortably to exact a point from a difficult place to get anything at all.
Wednesday 8 September 2021
Tonbridge Angels Academy 3 Welling United Academy 2
Match 30/21/1895 - Wednesday, 8th September 2021 - National Under-19 Alliance
Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 3 Wootton 1, Twist 81,86
Welling United Academy (0) 2 47,75
Headcount: 18
New Ground: 346
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,703
The Academy, ahead in just 18 seconds, needed two late goals from Ben Twist to snatch all three points from their opening National Under-19 Alliance match in a well contested game with Welling United at the Taray Community Stadium, home to Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club.
The season could hardly have gotten off to a better start when a pinpoint cross from the left found the head of Cameron Wootton who finished with ease.
Welling quickly found their feet after a nightmare start and successive free kicks around the edge of box brought corners which were dealt with without much alarm.
On 13 minutes Billy Kent brought a good save out of the Welling goalkeeper with the resultant corner headed wide by Joe Tyrie.
On the half-hour a sparkling run from Ben Hermitage ended with his shot striking the left hand post but there were most definitely two sides in the game and Welling were unlucky when an offside decision went against them as an equaliser was chalked off.
Two late chances for Wootton and Hermitage failed to add to the single goal, half-time scoreline.
The Welling goalkeeper, who had looked nervous on occasions in the first half, brought off a superb double save to deny Wootton and then Shea Brennan from the rebound in the opening minute of the second period.
But within a minute the visitors were level when a route one pass brought a hesitation from the Angels’ keeper and a defender allowing to Welling centre forward to execute a fine lob.
Welling entered into a period of play in which they dominated the game without unduly threatening Lewis Wilkins’ goal but with 15 minutes remaining, the right winger wriggled his way clear to pull the ball back from the bye-line offering a tap in for the centre forward.
When he was needed most, the outstanding Twist came to the fore and following a header on from Will Russell drew the goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner after 81 minutes and then with just four minutes remaining he was sent clear again, this time by Finn Hartley to repeat the act.
Whilst glad of the opening day win, manager Tom Parkinson was disappointed with the performance. “Apart from two or three, we were nowhere near the level of performance that this team is capable of.”
Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 3 Wootton 1, Twist 81,86
Welling United Academy (0) 2 47,75
Headcount: 18
New Ground: 346
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,703
The Academy, ahead in just 18 seconds, needed two late goals from Ben Twist to snatch all three points from their opening National Under-19 Alliance match in a well contested game with Welling United at the Taray Community Stadium, home to Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club.
The season could hardly have gotten off to a better start when a pinpoint cross from the left found the head of Cameron Wootton who finished with ease.
Welling quickly found their feet after a nightmare start and successive free kicks around the edge of box brought corners which were dealt with without much alarm.
On 13 minutes Billy Kent brought a good save out of the Welling goalkeeper with the resultant corner headed wide by Joe Tyrie.
On the half-hour a sparkling run from Ben Hermitage ended with his shot striking the left hand post but there were most definitely two sides in the game and Welling were unlucky when an offside decision went against them as an equaliser was chalked off.
Two late chances for Wootton and Hermitage failed to add to the single goal, half-time scoreline.
The Welling goalkeeper, who had looked nervous on occasions in the first half, brought off a superb double save to deny Wootton and then Shea Brennan from the rebound in the opening minute of the second period.
But within a minute the visitors were level when a route one pass brought a hesitation from the Angels’ keeper and a defender allowing to Welling centre forward to execute a fine lob.
Welling entered into a period of play in which they dominated the game without unduly threatening Lewis Wilkins’ goal but with 15 minutes remaining, the right winger wriggled his way clear to pull the ball back from the bye-line offering a tap in for the centre forward.
When he was needed most, the outstanding Twist came to the fore and following a header on from Will Russell drew the goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner after 81 minutes and then with just four minutes remaining he was sent clear again, this time by Finn Hartley to repeat the act.
Whilst glad of the opening day win, manager Tom Parkinson was disappointed with the performance. “Apart from two or three, we were nowhere near the level of performance that this team is capable of.”
Sunday 5 September 2021
Tonbridge Angels 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough 1
Match 29/21/1894 - Saturday, 4th September 2021 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Olutade 90+9
Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 1 Fisher 78
Attendance: 718
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/1,703
That’ll Be The Day becomes That’ll Be My Day for a single game.
To celebrate my 70th birthday, I chose to sponsor a game at my beloved Tonbridge Angels for the first time, introducing non-football friends to the thrills and spills of non-league football for the first time. Everybody had a great time, they enjoyed the beer and sandwiches, but was there enough to persuade any of them away from their sofas and the Premier League, or in my brother’s case, away from League One football at Gillingham, probably not.
All non-league supporters know that you have to adjust your expectations away from the fare that is served up on Sky Sports and this doesn’t happen in a single game. Once you have done that, the game is what it is, one team against the other, one team winning because they have the greater ability or one team winning because they have the greater desire.
I cannot write that the Angels and Hampton produced a classic match to entertain my friends but who doesn’t like a 99th minute equaliser that comes courtesy of the bad guy!
I think the guests were glad to get to half-time to refresh with a cuppa or a beer as the first half had not exactly captured the attention with both sides having nothing more than a couple of half chances. Perhaps, Jonny Henly was the slightly busier goalkeeper.
Perhaps the guests were voting with their feet as they opted not to stray to far away from the bar for the second half and watched from the terrace!
It might have been my birthday and my guests but my superstitions forced me back to my place on the rail as it has done for far too many years.
The second half was much better and hopefully more enjoyable for the uninitiated.
Henly made the first serious save of the match keeping out a Kadell Daniel strike that was en-route to the top corner. Tonbridge responded well but only asked routine saves of ex-Gillingham goalkeeper Alan Julian.
The game got scrappy again; there was a lengthy delay as Henly required treatment but then a top quality strike from a free kick put the visitors in front with 12 minutes to play. Ricky Modeste gave away a foul on the left hand edge of the box and David Fisher executed a perfect curling free kick round the wall and beyond the reach of Henly. It had been a game where one piece of quality would win it and seemingly this was that moment.
But, in fairness to the Angels, if there is one element to their game that is never lacking it is spirit and they mounted a grandstand finish to the game.
After 84 minutes, Modeste hit the bar with a header and two minutes later substitute Ibrahim Olutade’s effort was saved at point blank range by Julian.
Into the last couple of minutes of the lengthy time added for Henly’s injury and enter stage left, the bad guy! As per usual, the winning team makes a substitution to wind down the clock and Ryan Gondoh was intent to remove as much as he could of the remaining time from the clock but he incurred the wrath of the referee who showed him a yellow card during his dawdle to the touchline. As the ball bounced towards the Hampton dugout for a throw-in, Gondoh thought it would be a wise, time wasting action to turn the ball over the dugout and into the crowd. Referee Jack Packman failed to see the non-existent funny side and brandished a second yellow followed by a red and as he walked around the ground to the dressing room his fingered signal to the home supporters reminding them of the score was about to also horribly backfire.
The referee had initially indicated seven minutes and as the game ticked into the 99th minute courtesy of Gondoh’s antics retribution was well and truly served. One last ball forward saw Tommy Wood bearing down on Julian but the goalkeeper saved at his feet only for the ball to rebound into the path of Olutade, who made no mistake. Cue, delirium on the home terrace and the pedestrian Gondoh who was continuing to make his slow passage to the sanctuary of the dressing room. My joy was obvious but it was great to see that my guests had engaged with the moment and delighted at the outcome.
It had been a great day, Tonbridge Angels had done me proud, both on and off the pitch.
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Olutade 90+9
Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 1 Fisher 78
Attendance: 718
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/1,703
To celebrate my 70th birthday, I chose to sponsor a game at my beloved Tonbridge Angels for the first time, introducing non-football friends to the thrills and spills of non-league football for the first time. Everybody had a great time, they enjoyed the beer and sandwiches, but was there enough to persuade any of them away from their sofas and the Premier League, or in my brother’s case, away from League One football at Gillingham, probably not.
All non-league supporters know that you have to adjust your expectations away from the fare that is served up on Sky Sports and this doesn’t happen in a single game. Once you have done that, the game is what it is, one team against the other, one team winning because they have the greater ability or one team winning because they have the greater desire.
I cannot write that the Angels and Hampton produced a classic match to entertain my friends but who doesn’t like a 99th minute equaliser that comes courtesy of the bad guy!
I think the guests were glad to get to half-time to refresh with a cuppa or a beer as the first half had not exactly captured the attention with both sides having nothing more than a couple of half chances. Perhaps, Jonny Henly was the slightly busier goalkeeper.
Perhaps the guests were voting with their feet as they opted not to stray to far away from the bar for the second half and watched from the terrace!
It might have been my birthday and my guests but my superstitions forced me back to my place on the rail as it has done for far too many years.
The second half was much better and hopefully more enjoyable for the uninitiated.
Henly made the first serious save of the match keeping out a Kadell Daniel strike that was en-route to the top corner. Tonbridge responded well but only asked routine saves of ex-Gillingham goalkeeper Alan Julian.
The game got scrappy again; there was a lengthy delay as Henly required treatment but then a top quality strike from a free kick put the visitors in front with 12 minutes to play. Ricky Modeste gave away a foul on the left hand edge of the box and David Fisher executed a perfect curling free kick round the wall and beyond the reach of Henly. It had been a game where one piece of quality would win it and seemingly this was that moment.
But, in fairness to the Angels, if there is one element to their game that is never lacking it is spirit and they mounted a grandstand finish to the game.
After 84 minutes, Modeste hit the bar with a header and two minutes later substitute Ibrahim Olutade’s effort was saved at point blank range by Julian.
Into the last couple of minutes of the lengthy time added for Henly’s injury and enter stage left, the bad guy! As per usual, the winning team makes a substitution to wind down the clock and Ryan Gondoh was intent to remove as much as he could of the remaining time from the clock but he incurred the wrath of the referee who showed him a yellow card during his dawdle to the touchline. As the ball bounced towards the Hampton dugout for a throw-in, Gondoh thought it would be a wise, time wasting action to turn the ball over the dugout and into the crowd. Referee Jack Packman failed to see the non-existent funny side and brandished a second yellow followed by a red and as he walked around the ground to the dressing room his fingered signal to the home supporters reminding them of the score was about to also horribly backfire.
The referee had initially indicated seven minutes and as the game ticked into the 99th minute courtesy of Gondoh’s antics retribution was well and truly served. One last ball forward saw Tommy Wood bearing down on Julian but the goalkeeper saved at his feet only for the ball to rebound into the path of Olutade, who made no mistake. Cue, delirium on the home terrace and the pedestrian Gondoh who was continuing to make his slow passage to the sanctuary of the dressing room. My joy was obvious but it was great to see that my guests had engaged with the moment and delighted at the outcome.
It had been a great day, Tonbridge Angels had done me proud, both on and off the pitch.
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