Tonbridge Angels 2 Chippenham Town 0

Match 35/22/2042 - Saturday, 22nd October 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Soares-Junior 15 Gard 60
Chippenham Town (0) 0

Attendance: 966
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme:£3
Mileage: 38/2,558

A really solid performance; a clean sheet and three points earned almost without concern. A good day at the office for Tonbridge Angels and even more pleasing that Chippenham were a very useful opposition.

A ridiculously warm late October afternoon saw another attendance that neared 1,000 and the entertainment that was put before them should hopefully ensure that many will return on a regular basis.

Joe Tyrie, 18-year-old skipper of the Academy, signed a first team contract during the week and he took his place alongside Sonny Miles in the centre of defence in an unchanged starting XI from last week’s defeat at Dartford.

The home side made the better start before taking a 15th minute lead through Ruben Soares-Junior following a superb passage of play that began with Miles winning a tackle on the edge of his own box before moving the ball into midfield to Jeremy Santos who in turn sent Joe Turner to surge forward and his pass inside the full back found Craig Braham-Barrett. A pass inside to Louis Collins, a further pass outside to Soares-Junior who finished with aplomb into the far corner. Back-to-front, 80 yards without a Chippenham player touching the ball, it was football to savour.

The half sped by, such was the pleasing nature of the football on show, and the only criticism that anybody could have of the home side was that they were only a goal to the good.

Chippenham came out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose and really should have been level after 55 minutes when a cross from Eddie Jones found the head of Harvey Greenslade at the far post but it was directed narrowly wide.

Tonbridge doubled their lead on the hour with another flowing move that involved a long ball forward from Santos that sent Jayden Crowhurst scampering down the right before delivering a inch perfect cross to the far post for Lewis Gard to steer a volley home.

Although the Angels held the dominance of the game, Chippenham were far from lying down and Henly had to be at the top of his game to deny Greenslade and a superb save to thwart Luke Russe.

Substitute Tommie Fagg hit a shot from distance that dipped later onto the roof of the net and TQ Addy also brought a save from Will Henry.

A very satisfying afternoon and after several weeks of less than satisfactory refereeing, a word should go to George Laflin who allowed the game to flow at all times. Great to see, especially with Tonbridge at full flow!