Worthing 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 25/25/2368 - Saturday, 20th September 2025 - National League South

Worthing (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Unwin 11
Attendance: 1,661
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 126/1,813

A disciplined and spirited performance from Tonbridge Angels brought their first-ever win at Worthing, who dominated possession in the second period, but a resilient defensive display limited the hosts to just a couple of good opportunities to which Jacob Adams was their equal.

A naturally delighted Craig Nelson commented in his post-match interview: “We always knew it was going to be really difficult to come here and get anything. They are a good side and they displayed that in the second half. The boys did really well and we are over the moon to get three points here.”

It was a game of two halves for the weather as well as a muggy first half turned into a brisk wind and driving rain midway through the second period.

Craig Nelson made one change from the starting XI that progressed in the FA Cup on Tuesday with Eddie Simon returning for Brandon Pierrick, who dropped to the bench.

Tonbridge were well worth their lead at the break, earned with an 11th minute goal from Bobby Unwin, who found the bottom corner after being set up by Marcus Sablier.

It took the home side 36 minutes to register a shot on goal, Teddy Jenks bringing a comfortable save from Adams and 43 minutes to force a corner, such was the discipline of the Angels defence.

After nine minutes a poor clearance from the Worthing goalkeeper, Seb Stacey gave Simon an unguarded goal to shoot at from 25 yards but the ball drifted wide before Unwin gave the Angels the lead which they thoroughly deserved.

Just past the half-hour, Simon was left head in hands as he saw his goal bound shot take a deflection and agonisingly dribble past the post.

The second half saw the home side camped in the Angels’ half for long periods with early chances for Odei Martin Sorondo and a Joel Colbran effort, brilliantly turned over by Adams, as the Angels were being put under sustained pressure.

As the half wore on, and the Rebels began to desperately throw bodies forward, the Angels spurned several breakaway chances to give themselves breathing space.

Worthing’s captain Joe Cook saw a shot go over the bar following a scramble in front of goal and when Harry Ransom spooned another chance over the bar it was the Angels who were seeing out the game on the front foot, as Martell Taylor-Crossdale was sent clear only to shoot straight at Stacey.

Into six minutes of added time, the Angels showed great game management, shepherding the ball into the non-dangerous areas of the pitch, as the clock ticked down to its conclusion and a memorable afternoon at Woodside Road, for once, for all the right reasons.