Tonbridge Angels 0 Weston-super-Mare 1

Match 15/23/2138 - Saturday, 12th August 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Weston-super-Mare (1) 1 Bastin 26
Attendance: 827

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/638
Weather: 22degC., brisk breeze

It’s not been the start that we, as in Tonbridge Angels, might have wished but, cliche alert, it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Both defeats, by the slenderest of margins, could easily have ended differently; both matches have been blighted by pretty abject refereeing with the officials seemingly as confused as the punter on the terrace with the new directives.

Certain things cannot be brushed aside, the Angels are light up front but Stefan Payne’s introduction on the hour offered a glimpse of something a little more potent.

The visitors, Weston-super-Mare, newly promoted from Southern League Premier Division South, were well organised and returned to Somerset with a two out of two record following their opening day home win against Havant & Waterlooville.

As much as the lack of a cutting edge can pointed towards as the reason for defeat, it was a bit disconcerting that one 60 yard diagonal pass allowed Jordan Bastin an unchallenged run on goal to fire past Jonny Henly with an accomplished finish after 26 minutes.

Ruben Soares-Junior flashed a shot towards the far post that was met with a clearing header from the line as the home side mounted a response.

Into the second period and the introduction of Payne almost, perhaps should have, brought a dividend when the striker was sent clear down the left in acres of space. His first effort rebounded from the far post but when the ball landed back at his feet, it seemed little more than a tap-in but his shot was miraculously blocked by Samuel Avery.

Three minutes remained when Tom Parkinson’s header was bundled home at the far post but the goal was disallowed for an infringement against the central defender who picked up a caution after a word of disagreement.

Credit must go to Weston as they defended an endless series of corners through the time added. They are going to be nobody’s pushovers this season.

This was a flat performance for much of the game that transmitted itself to the crowd who were unusually quiet for long periods. A Kent derby with Dover arriving at Longmead is next up and those supporters are desperately in need of a performance to raise their spirits.

Pictures: Kathryn Bell