Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 0
Three Bridges U18 (0) 1 73
Headcount: 45
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/676
Weather: 20degC., dry
Tonbridge Angels U18’s ended their pre-season with a single goal defeat against a very good Three Bridges side, who finished last season just a point behind champions Worthing in the southern section of the Isthmian Youth League.
One defensive error and a catalogue of shots on goal that were either close or saved by an excellent goalkeeper was the barely discernible difference between the sides.
18’s manager Dom Welsh has added some pace to his side this season and that led to a series of fouls in dangerous positions from the Three Bridges defenders. The referee took the friendly game, common sense approach, keeping his cards in his pocket.
The Angels had five of these situations in the opening 20 minutes with the goalkeeper being equal to efforts from Felix Waring, Reuben Etherington and Teddy Cooney.
After 20 minutes of Angels domination the visitors came into the game forcing Toby Edwards into a smart stop and a fine saving tackle from Adam Larkin.
The rest of the first half was even with the Three Bridges keeper saving well from Cam Honavar and Edwards producing a point blank save with his feet from close range.
The second period was a tighter affair but Tonbridge rattled the bar twice in as many minutes, firstly with a Etherington free kick followed by a Rory Kavanagh header from a corner that clipped the top of the woodwork.
Three Bridges winner came immediately after, on 73 minutes, when the ball was cleared downfield a poor clearance allowed a pass to dissect the defenders for the scorer to run clear and place his shot into the bottom corner.
There was more than enough for Dom Welsh to take heart from before next Thursday’s league opener at champions Cray Valley. Dom said after the game: “Yeah, they’re always very good. Manager is very clued up. Like playing them, they give us things to think about. I thought we did well, poor finishing and some decent saves but one mistake has settled it. Pre-season has been really good, I’m pleased. A lot better than last season.”
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