Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Three Bridges U18 2

Match 14/25/2357 - Monday, 18th August 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Barton 77 Hunt 90+6
Three Bridges U18 (2) 2 Byrne 19 Hayden-Pickering 39
Attendance: 56
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/879

It was Tonbridge Angels Jimmy Glass moment* (which for an Under-18 side is way beyond the dim and distant past).

The Angels U18’s had fought hard for an equaliser that appeared out of their reach as they earned a 96th minute corner. With nothing to lose, up came goalkeeper Jacob Hunt to add another body into the mix. The ball fell into a melee of bodies but was finally at the feet of Hunt who stabbed it home from six yards to spark joyous celebrations.

Dominic Welsh, who was short of four regular starters from which to choose his first competitive team of the season, commented after the game: “We were poor at times and not on the right side of some questionable decisions, but we regrouped and changed formation to suit the personnel we had. It was a game of two halves but it was just a little chaotic!”

It was a point that seemed highly unlikely as the visitors, Three Bridges, dominated the opening half and went into the break with a deserved two goal advantage.

Three Bridges were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead on 19 minutes. Hunt had made a great save, low to his right, pushing the ball away for a corner. But the reprieve was short lived as from the resultant corner, central defender Zak Byrne rose highest to head home.

The visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after a foul that allowed Connor Hayden-Pickering to strike the ball into the roof of the net, giving Hunt no chance.

The Angels, obviously responding to a flea in the ear during the break, had a more positive mindset in the second period with Kyler Barton seeing a shot deflected over the bar and Ashton Lucas frustrated by the Three Bridges goalkeeper.

Barton finally got just rewards for his endeavour as a fine through ball sent him clear to beat the advancing goalkeeper.

Three Bridges had chances to put the game to bed before Hunt’s heroics brought the game to its dramatic conclusion.

*Jimmy Glass scored an injury time goal for Carlisle United against Plymouth in 1999 that kept his side in the Football League.