Tonbridge Angels 1 St Albans City 2

Match 17/22/2024 - Monday, 29th August 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Fagg 22
St Albans City (1) 2 Stanley 9 Isaacs 81
Attendance: 1,036

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/1,581

In the midst of an awkward run of results, I have a good deal of sympathy for any manager, let alone that of my club, when a microphone is shoved under his nose and much of what he can say is pretty much the same as the previous two post-match interviews. Missed opportunities and poor defending, never a good recipe for winning matches.

Much of what a humble blog writer can portray is also that of a broken record. Dealing with the positives, this was a lot, lot better than Saturday and, almost without question, Tonbridge deserved at least something out of the game. But the negatives continue to mount. Injuries, two more to add to the list, are making Jay Saunders’ planning almost impossible; coupled with failings at both ends of the pitch results in the new Longmead being a long way from the fortress hoped for.

Jeremy Santos was given a starting shirt for this Bank Holiday fixture against St Albans and was very bright until he suffered concussion in the 56th minute.

Tonbridge were out of the blocks quickly and had the ball in the net after just three minutes when TQ Addy put Joe Turner through to finish but denied by a linesman’s flag.

But, for the fourth consecutive game, the Angels went behind to an early goal when a half-clearance was recycled into the box from where Devante Stanley swept the ball home for a happier outcome than his visit last season that ended with a double break of his leg that brought about an abandonment of the game.

Tonbridge fought back well from the disappointment with Dylan Gavin going close with two attempts that were saved by the St Albans goalkeeper, Michael Johnson.

They had fully deserved their equaliser after 21 minutes when Tommie Fagg rose highest to head home from a corner.

The rest of the half saw a header from Ben Swift that was saved by Johnson whilst loud claims for a penalty for St Albans were waved away by the referee.

The two Charlton loanees were both injured within five minutes of one another. Firstly Santos suffered concussion and then Dylan Gavin limped out of the game. At this point, Saunders must be wondering if a black cat had recently crossed his path.

It was the home side that were creating the chances and a couple of efforts from Turner were not too far off target and a header from Fagg was cleared from the line.

Swift headed narrowly wide and then, completely against the run of play the ball, St Albans conjured what was ultimately the winner with nine minutes remaining. Swift made a tackle on the edge of the box, the ball ran loose and Che Isaacs’ first time shot curled into the top corner.

One final chance to salvage something from the game fell to substitute Louis Collins but his header was wide and, once again, the Angels were left pointless, sadly leaving Jay Saunders with another interview that sounded just like the other one.

Pictures: Kathryn Bell