Tonbridge Angels 1 Bromley 1

Match 96/21/1960 - Saturday, 12th February 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1Turner 89
Bromley (0) 1 Francis 80
Bromley win 3-2 on penalties
Attendance: 2,061

Admission: £12 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,279

I’m an emotional old fool and there was a tear in my eye at the final whistle. Initially it was bitter disappointment but that tear quickly turned into one of absolute pride. I’m so proud of my club today, Tonbridge Angels went toe-to-toe with a Conference club, and I don’t care how many changes they made, they are all full-time professionals and for the most part we were the better side. Even Bromley’s respectful manager, Andy Woodman, admitted that in his post-match interview. Three conference clubs have been played in this run and we haven’t lost to any of them. And off the pitch, we have had 2,000 people inside the ground for only the fourth time in over 40 years and we’ve handled it, yes some of the queues were long but there was 2,000 people there, all wanting to be fed and watered at the same time, where there’s crowds there are queues!

Right from the one o’clock opening of the gates, it felt special. There was a buzz about the place that told you, if you didn’t know already, this was history in the making. Never before had Tonbridge Angels made it to the last 16 of the FA Trophy and in our dreams Wembley beckoned.

Bromley’s team selection offered hope as leading goalscorer, Michael Cheek was rested to the bench whilst Steve McKimm had Tommy Wood available again and he took the place of Adam Coombes, who was cup-tied.

The first half was a cagey affair with very few opportunities for either side but the home side showed that they were capable of causing an upset against a Bromley side sitting in the play-off places for a place in the Football League.

An early half-chance fell the Angels way as Joe Turner rounded the visiting goalkeeper, Ellery Balcombe but from a tight angle his effort on goal was blocked by Kellen Fisher, a very young looking player who went on to have a very composed game.

Bromley’s first chance came after 25 minutes when the, robust shall we say, James Alabi put a shot over the bar following a cross from Corey Whitely.

Tom Beere saw an effort clear the bar just before the break in a first half that Bromley had possibly the better of the chances but on the whole, Tonbridge had contained their National League visitors comfortably.

Tonbridge opened the second period on the front foot with Beere firing over and, on 53 minutes, Turner was only narrowly high with a shot from the edge of the box.

Just prior to the hour mark and Tonbridge cheers got stuck in their throats as a brilliant cross from Wood saw Turner sliding in at the far post but the ball evaded him by what was probably millimetres.

On 63 minutes, there was another golden opportunity for the Angels as three efforts on goal were blocked by diving Bromley defenders before the final chance was smothered by Balcombe.

But, the game was to turn against the home side on 72 minutes when Harry Hudson and Bromley’s Jude Arthurs fell to the ground following a challenge for which the substitute referee had given a free kick to Tonbridge. But, whilst on the ground, Hudson kicked out and was given his marching orders.

Ten minutes remained when, from their first bit of real quality in the game, Bromley made their man advantage count as a well worked goal beginning with good link-up play down the left before Luke Coulson crossed in for Palace Francis to score.

But the never-say-die spirit of this Angels squad, despite their numerical disadvantage, threw everything forward in search of the equaliser that would take the tie immediately to penalties.

Another forward in Ibrahim Olutade was thrown on to bolster the attack and in the last minute of regulation time, a Beere corner from the left was dropped by Balcombe at the feet of the substitute who poked it forward for Turner to finish from close range.

Six minutes of added time, amazingly, saw Bromley desperately holding on as Turner saw his shot go agonisingly wide and a sliced clearance from Chris Bush cleared his own crossbar.

And so to penalties, and despite the famous win in the last round via that route against King’s Lynn, Tonbridge Angels and penalties, well we all know what happens next. Three missed spot kicks meant Bromley only needed to take four of their five to progress 3-2.

It had been a special afternoon, and we wish Bromley, as the only Kent club remaining in the competition, the best of luck in further rounds. In truth, both clubs probably have bigger fish to fry as Tonbridge battle to retain their National South status and Bromley search for EFL football. One can only hope that many of the 2,061 attendance have enjoyed what they have seen and will return to cheer the Angels to safety.

Picture: Colin Hill