Tonbridge Angels Academy 11 Maidstone United Academy 0

Match 31/22/2038 - Wednesday, 12th October 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (5) 11 McArthur 10 Saunders 12 Velvick 34,44,86,90 Hermitage 38,80 Tyrie 51 Vowles 60,63
Maidstone United (0) 0

Headcount: 12
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,419

Tonbridge Angels Academy’s early season goal rush continued with an eleven goal demolition of their local rivals Maidstone United. Sixteen-year-old Hayden Velvick scored his second successive quadruple following his four goal haul last week against Welling United.

The opening minutes at Longmead didn’t suggest the ultimate outcome with Maidstone applying some early pressure, but once Velvick had struck the right hand post after being released by Fyn Rutherford, it was not long before the floodgates opened as the visitors struggled with the Angels pace and movement from that moment.

Tonbridge went ahead after 10 minutes with a Josh McArthur lob from 12 yards that the goalkeeper, Kieran Pongoue, could only fingertip into his own net. Only 60 seconds elapsed before the lead was doubled. A fine ball from Tom Scott-Smith found Velvick whose cross from the byline was bundled home at the far post by Will Saunders.

The traffic was purely one way and the biggest surprise was that it took until the 34th minute to add the third goal. Prior to the goal, Pongoue saved well from Ben Hermitage and Velvick, who opened his account reacting to the goalkeeper’s parry after a McArthur shot.

After 39 minutes, a quick free kick from Scott-Thomas allowed McArthur to set up Hermitage who smashed a shot into the roof of the net and, on the cusp of the break, McArthur’s cross was intercepted by a defender but only deflected into the path of Velvick who scored with ease.

Maidstone’s defensive frailties were quickly exposed in the second period when a Leo Vowles cross found Joe Tyrie, with time and space, to steer a header home.

The visitors stirred and attacks saw Nat Gibb save from Robin Earle and a shot from Jaden Green sailed over before a slick move involving Velvick and Hermitage set up Vowles for the seventh on the hour. Three minutes later Vowles doubled his account with a rasping drive from the acutest of angles.

Pongoue was keeping the scoreline respectable until Hermitage on 80 minutes and two late goals from Velvick rounded off the afternoon.

Tommy Parkinson hailed the ruthless performance of his squad whilst commiserating with his opponents who deserved credit for working hard until the final whistle.