Dagenham & Redbridge 2 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 15/25/2358 - Tuesday, 19th August 2025 - National League South

Dagenham & Redbridge (2) 2 Wilson 10 Hemmings (pen) 16
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Warren 37 Allen 67
Attendance: 1,523
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 110/989

Tonbridge Angels produced a stunning comeback to secure a well-deserved point at Dagenham and Redbridge on a thrilling evening at Victoria Road.

Undeservedly two goals down after 16 minutes after a bright start, Craig Nelson’s team took the game to their illustrious opposition and a screamer from Matthew Warren and second half finish from Alfie Allen brought delight and appreciation to 178 travelling Angels supporters, who had given their team immense support throughout.

Craig Nelson reflected in his post-match interview: “We worked hard, we ran, we made a lot more forward runs to put them under pressure and we got our just rewards for it. We played really well in patches, particularly in the first half, in the latter part of that half we really grew and if we could have nicked another one, it would have made the second half really spicy.”

Craig made four changes to the starting XI well beaten at AFC Totton with Eddie Simon returning to partner Marcell Taylor-Crossdale up top; Allen and Warren were drafted into midfield with Nazir Bakrin added to the back line. Scott Wagstaff, Brandon Pierrick, Marcus Sablier and Jack Matton took places on the bench.

Tonbridge showed their attacking intent from the outset with Eddie Simon curling a low shot from the left side of the box into the welcoming arms of the Dagenham goalkeeper, Sam Howes.

The momentum was still with the Angels when they went a goal down on 10 minutes. A surging run down the right from Reggie Young took him to the bye-line from where he pulled the ball back for Donovan Wilson who had made space in the box to allow him a smart finish into the bottom corner.

The lead was doubled on 16 minutes, when a run into the box from Joe Haigh was stalled and as the ball ran loose, Ashley Hemming went down under a challenge from Bradley Williams leaving referee Morgan Conn to point to the spot. Hemmings despatched his penalty to leave the Angels with an uphill task.

There was an almost immediate response as Brody Peart cut in from the right to curl a shot that struck the far post, but, for a 10 minute period, the visitors were hanging on to the game by a thread, mainly due to fine goalkeeping from Jacob Adams who saved from Haigh and turned over an effort from Paul Kalambiyi with an acrobatic save.

Another Peart cross, who was enjoying himself down the right brought a deflection from a defender under pressure from Taylor-Crossdale on 33 minutes before a magic moment from Warren cut the deficit to a single goal four minutes later. The ball was fed into midfield from Taylor-Crossdale into the path of Warren, who took aim from 25 yards with a shot that found the top corner.

The half-time break didn’t come at a great time for the Angels as they were ending the half with all the momentum forcing Howes into an added time save.

The second half began with Taylor-Crossdale again testing Howes, who made a very decent save.

On the hour, Adams needed to be alert to save from Kalambiyi before, on 67 minutes time almost appeared to stand still for an agonising moment. Jordan Higgs fired a shot towards goal that took a deflection off Simon, who challenged for the ball with the goalkeeper and a defender as as the ball broke loose Allen was on hand to loft his shot over Howes, whose hand slowed the ball but wasn’t enough to stop its path into the unguarded net.

Dagenham needed a response with their own supporters becoming frustrated and Adams saved well after79 minutes, but the home side’s efforts were mainly desperate going either wide or high and the final act saw a chance for substitute Wagstaff that drifted wide.

A memorable evening in the east end of London was brought to an end to rapturous appreciation from the Angels faithful, who had been truly magnificent.

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.

AFC Totton 3 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 13/25/2356 - Saturday, 16th August 2025 - National League South

AFC Totton (1) 3 Lee 41,50 Kasimu
Tonbridgge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,006
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 250/841
New Ground: 392

Tonbridge Angels had a disappointing first day on the road as they were soundly beaten by AFC Totton.

The home side celebrated their first ever home game in National League South and their success took them to pole position in the embryonic league table.

Craig Nelson responding to the question of accepting losing to the better team: “No, not at all. We didn’t make them work hard enough to score against us, but fair play they have taken their opportunities. But we didn’t do enough in front of their goal to warrant any points out of the game.”

It was a warm, sultry afternoon down in the New Forest and Craig Nelson made two changes from his opening day starting XI against Slough Town. Eddie Simon was unavailable so Martell Crossdale-Taylor was brought in to lead the line meanwhile Jack Matton started in the back line with Matthew Warren on the bench.

The first half was one of stalemate with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances, although the home side were dominant in terms of possession, until the 41st minute when a cross from the right from Ash Clarke found the head of Tony Lee who directed back across goal and into the opposite bottom corner.

The second period opened brighter for the Angels with Brody Peart bringing a low save out of Ryan Gosney in the first minute but, immediately after, Jacob Adams was making a similar save at the other end to deny Clarke.

Totton doubled their advantage after 50 minutes when a free kick was hooked backwards by Clarke for Lee to hit a glorious volley while the visitors appealed for offside in vain.

Tonbridge sought a way back into the game with Peart seeing a cross deflected over the bar; a Jack Matton effort that was also deflected over and after good pass from Marcus Sablier that ended with Scott Wagstaff being denied at his feet by Gosney, the ball switched to the other end for substitute Hisham Kasimu to convert an easy chance to make Totton’s historic day complete.

Tonbridge Angels U18 6 Staplehurst Monarchs 1

Match 12/25/2355 - Monday, 11th August 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 6 Richardson 42,63 Lucas 70 Trialist 77 Bingham 82,90
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 1 49
Attendance: 36
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/591

Tonbridge Angels 0 Slough Town 0

Match 11/25/2354 - Saturday, 9th August 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Slough Town (0) 0
Attendance: 1,061
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/553

A banner unfurled by young supporters in front of the North Stand said it all, A New Era Begins.

Craig Nelson said of the atmosphere: “It was excellent, the young fans told me a couple of weeks ago that they were doing something for me and it was really breathtaking. I didn’t expect it, they wanted to celebrate a new beginning. I was really honoured and proud to step out and manage our first game, it was really humbling.”

It was a hot afternoon that greeted Pitts’ first competitive fixture, hot enough to warrant water breaks in each half, and an attendance in excess of four figures arrived with all the expectation that a new season brings.

Ultimately, the goalless draw against Slough Town might not have been the desired result but a resolute performance at the back brought a point against a side that were dominant in the match for long periods.

“Taking the positives out of the game, we were very good defensively, we didn’t fold under the pressure and we didn’t concede. So, a point and a clean sheet is something to build on, but none of the boys will be happy with the performance,” remarked Craig in his post-match interview.

Tonbridge began the game brightly with a move down the left side between Brandon Pierrick and Scott Wagstaff that opened up a sniff of a chance for Eddie Simon that was smothered.

Following the early raid on their goal, Slough settled into the game and, on six minutes, Jared Myers got free down the right and his shot across the face of goal rebounded off the far post. Three minutes later, the right hand post was also struck as Myers, a handful throughout the first half, pulled a pass back for ex-Angel Jordan Greenidge to find the woodwork from close range.

The visitors were dominating with Reiss Greenidge heading over from a corner before the first half drinks break brought an opportunity for Craig Nelson to get some instruction into his team and this almost brought instant reward as a fine move involving Marcus Sablier and Brody Peart ended with a Simon shot that was repelled by a Slough block with Jordan Higgs firing over the rebound.

Peart was now emerging as the Angels most dangerous outlet and another surge down the right and a laid back pass for Matt Warren whose cross was comfortably collected by Adam Desbois.

The visitors regained the momentum in the closing moment of the half with Jordan Greenidge tamely shooting at Jacob Adams, who calmly held on to the effort.

The half-time break saw the Angels with significantly more forward momentum but it remained Slough that were creating the better chances, no more so than just past the hour, when Jordan Greenidge fed with a pass from his brother Reiss, found himself at the near post, six yards out with only Adams to beat but he didn’t ask a question of the keeper as he shot wide.

Adams was asked a serious question though, on 69 minutes, when Jaiden Drakes-Thomas unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that was pushed to safety with a superb low save.

Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps the desire of both sides to avoid an opening day defeat, but the game rather petered out in the last 20 minutes that also brought the usual cluster of substitutions.

Craig reflected: “The boys did well in the second half, nullified their threats but we just needed to be better on the ball. If we were, we got into some nice spaces but that final bit of detail was just missing today. So if we get that right, there are loads of positives to take out of that because the boys are in the right areas, now it is just about the quality in those moments.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Kingstonian 0

Match 10/25/2353 - Saturday, 2nd August 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Higgs 29
Kingstonian (0) 0
Attendance: 311
Admission: £7
Mileage: 38/515

Tonbridge Angels ended their pre-season campaign with a single goal win against Kingstonian at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

A Jordan Higgs goal, on 29 minutes, proved enough but the Angels will reflect on a total of 17 attempts on goal that should have brought a greater margin of victory.

Much speculation among the attendance of 311 would have been around how close to next Saturday’s opening National League South line-up was Craig Nelson’s starting XI, for that we have to wait and see, but the first half brought a fluent performance that only lacked better finishing.

In the sixth minute, Kingstonian’s goalkeeper Liam Allen was pressed into action saving from Brody Peart and within seconds he was denying Brandon Pierrick, who had been set up by a sublime flick from Marcus Sablier.

When twice in the space of three minutes the ball smacked against an upright, it started to become clear how the afternoon would unfold. An 11th minute free kick from Bailey Akehurst hit the right hand post and, after a great interchange between the Wagstaff and Peart, the latter’s effort struck the left hand woodwork.

The chances continued to come and go before the Angels finally opened the scoring when Sablier lofted a ball forward for Higgs to run onto and despatch into the bottom corner.

The home side continued to dominate, creating chances almost at will, whilst in the Angels goal, Jacob Adams was barely troubled. With Peart giving his marker a torrid time down the right further opportunities fell to Higgs, Sablier and a Bradley Williams header from a corner but, at the break, the single goal lead remained.

Mass substitutions, and a marked improvement from Kingstonian, saw some of the momentum of the opening half diminish but Peart continued to create havoc bringing another good save from Allen.

Bumni Babajide was through on goal after 70 minutes but Allen was equal to his effort deflecting the ball to safety and, five minutes later, the Angels suffered a big scare when a free kick lofted into the area brought a scramble and couple of blocked shots.

So, chances aplenty but only one goal that proved enough, Craig Nelson said of the performance in his post-match interview: “I’m really happy with the way the boys applied themselves, particularly in the first half they were excellent. They’ve learnt a lot in pre-season and it is starting to come together. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed that we didn’t score more goals, but it will come. They are in the right areas, doing the right things and replicating what we have asked them. But we could have had a couple more for sure and put the game to bed.”

Tonbridge Angels 2 Lewes 1

Match 9/25/2352 - Tuesday, 29th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Babajide 7 Unwin 41
Lewes (1) 1 Asiedu 1
Attendance: 249
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/477

Tonbridge Angels got back to winning ways at the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Craig Nelson’s ex-charges, Lewes.

Looking to end a three game spell without a pre-season win, the Angels got off to an inauspicious start going behind in just 47 seconds to a cross-cum-shot from Clement Asiedu, that somehow nestled into the net to the bemusement of everybody from goalkeeper, Jacob Adams to the gathered attendance. The home side hit back lead at half-time with goals from Bunmi Babajide and Bobby Unwin.

Craig reflected on the performance: “The win was important for the team, they want to win every game but it meant a little bit more because of recent performances. After the start and the goal, they didn’t drop their heads.”

On a coolish evening, the manager shuffled his pack to give some extended minutes to some of his squad including formerly unnamed trialists, Antonio Morgan, Ben Mundele and Jamie Watson.

After the initial first minute shock, lightning very near struck twice as another cross-cum-shot from Ryan Berdal this time nestled on the top of Adams’ goal.

Tonbridge settled into the game and were level on seven minutes when a driving run from Morgan was rewarded when his cross was laid back by Unwin for Babajide to turn home from around eight yards.

Unwin was involved again, two minutes later, when his cushioned header fell at the feet of Academy player, Mackenzie Richardson, but the youngster’s shot cleared the bar.

Lewes were playing some decent football themselves and Mundele had to be at his best with a saving challenge and ex-Angels youth team player, Devonte West saw his shot narrowly go narrowly over the bar.

Tonbridge took a deserved lead into the break with a goal after 41 minutes. A corner led to an initial shot being blocked with the rebound falling to Unwin who finished nicely with a shot in, off the far post.

The home side dominated the second period without adding to the scoreline, but not without trying as an effort from Eddie Simon, from around 25 yards, smacked against the crossbar. A well-worked interchange between Brandon Pierrick and Simon ended with the goalkeeper smothered the former’s shot and a late header from Simon that went over the bar.

Craig reflected in his post-match interview: “We need to be better when we’ve got the ball and that will allow us to get a foothold in the game. We have had a defensive unit week, that’s what we have been working on and we limited them to next to nothing in terms of chances.”

Tonbridge Angels U15 2 Cheshunt U15 4

Match 8/25/2351 - Sunday, 27th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels U15 (0) 2
Cheshunt U15 (2) 4
Headcount: 50
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/439

Tonbridge Angels 0 Folkestone Invicta 0

Match 7/25/2350 - Saturday, 26th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Folkestone Invicta (0) 0
Attendance: 360
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/401

Tonbridge Angels and Folkestone Invicta drew a blank at the Yeomans Community Stadium this afternoon after an afternoon of profligate finishing from both sides.

Jay Saunders included Mikey Berry, Jake Hutchinson, Liam Smith in his Invicta side, but the afternoon had a sad ending for Jeremy Santos who was stretchered off after just 14 minutes on the pitch as a 56th minute substitute. Both sets of supporters showed their sympathy for a popular player that has had terrible misfortune with injury in recent times.

Craig Nelson continued to build the minutes into his squad with Jacob Adams, Nazir Bakrin and Scott Wagstaff turning in a full 90 minutes.

On a muggy afternoon that presented a couple of first half showers, it was the visitors that had the opening opportunity after three minutes when Hutchinson latched onto a long ball from the goalkeeper to lob it over the head of the advancing Adams but was unable to convert as he attempted to head home as the angle narrowed.

Brody Peart fired over before the Angels lost Marcus Sablier to a back injury on 24 minutes after being clattered from behind earlier.

Tonbridge were thankful to Bakrin for a superb last ditch challenge just before the half-hour and five minutes before the break a strike from 25 yards from Montel Mackenzie smacked against the Angels crossbar.

The home side’s best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when Adams sent Peart away down the right with a well placed kick. Peart’s cross found the trialist forward but his shot was deflected to safety.

At the start of the second half, Marcel McIntosh, Bradley Williams, Alfie Allen and Eddie Simon were introduced for Jordan Higgs, Jack Matton, Peart and Matty Warren.

The Angels improved in the second period, chances fell the way of Bunmi Babajide and the trialist whilst Invicta were being limited to little going forward.

A clever free kick routine between Bailey Akehurst and the trialist saw the latter fire narrowly over and another Akehurst free kick saw a clearance rebound off Bakrin but the ball cleared the bar.

Craig Nelson said in his post-match interview: “I don’t think we were good enough today. Second half was much better than the first, the way we want to play is to draw in pressure and they gave us loads of pressure and I don’t think the quality was good enough and not the standard we expect and what the boys have been showing us over the last couple of weeks, so wholly disappointed in the first half performance, we were better in the second half but we didn’t do enough to deserve anything from it and we need to do better than that.”

Aylesford 3 Tonbridge Angels U18 3

Match 6/25/2349 - Wednesday, 23th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Aylesford (1) 3
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Trialist 20 Honivar 50 Barton 70
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Mileage: 25/363
New Ground: 391

Leatherhead 2 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 5/25/2348 - Saturday, 19th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Leatherhead (1) 2 Akinnibi 11 Hedley 79
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Peart 2 Simon 5
Attendance: 254
Admission: £3
Mileage: 104/328

The Angels surrendered their 100% pre-season record at Leatherhead despite going two goals ahead within the first five minutes.

Brody Peart and Eddie Simon got the visitors off to a flying start before the home side got a 80th minute goal to earn a deserved draw as Tonbridge became disjointed following wholesale second half substitutes.

Craig Nelson on the second half performance: “The boys were not up to speed with the game to execute anything of note, saying that we had one blocked on the line and another from which we should have scored, so we could have been 4-1 up before they scored. But, it is damning from the way we conceded, we don’t get first, second or third contact from the throw. Preventable, but happy with the first half but the boys will tell you they needed to be better in the second.”

It seems crazy that in July, after the intense heat that the south-east has had, that a pitch inspection might be needed but after a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain, one was made before the game was given the go-ahead.

Craig picked a strong first half team with just a couple of trialists and, on what appeared a lush, green grass pitch, they opened up the Leatherhead defence with only two minutes on the clock when a through ball from Marcus Sablier sent Peart clear to slot past the advancing goalkeeper, Sonny Wheeler.

When Peart turned provider, supplying a right wing cross for Simon to turn home, the Angels looked to be already in cruise control, but, following a defensive mistake that allowed Kareem Akinnibi a run on goal and finish into the bottom corner, the game was once more a contest.

Tonbridge continued to play positive, attractive football and chances came for Bradley Williams, who shot narrowly over and, after 18 minutes, Peart brought a very good save out of Wheeler from a 20-yard free kick.

At the end of a half that had been completely dominated by the Angels, having seen further opportunities for Brandon Pierrick, Jordan Higgs, Peart and Williams, they would have been disappointed to go into the break just a goal to the good.

Although the fluidity of the first half performance had been lost due to the multitude of substitutions, it was still the visitors that were dominating the game and, on 70 minutes, it was a case of “how did that not go in” as the Tanners’ defenders threw bodies in front of the ball to eventually clear from the line.

Ten minutes from time, as Leatherhead has seized the momentum, a long throw into the box was poorly dealt with and the ball eventually fell to George Hedley who drove the ball home following a good, parrying save from substitute goalkeeper, Alexander Dubov.

A late, instinctive header following a free kick from Mackenzie Richardson saw the goalkeeper turn the ball over the bar, but the Angels had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Bracknell Town 0

Match 4/25/2347 - Tuesday, 15th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (1) 0 Babajide 40
Bracknell Town (0) 0
Attendance: 159
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/224

Craig Nelson’s troops emerged from their toughest workout so far this preseason with a single goal win over Bracknell Town, courtesy of a 40th minute goal from Bumni Babajide.

Craig commented in his post-match interview: “I knew from meeting them last season that they would be tough opposition and, credit to them, they were competitive from minute one to the end and it was just what we needed. I would have liked to have played them closer to the season because they were a good side, gave us a good test but we stood the test really well for large parts of the game. They pressed us aggressively in the second half, which was good. When we made the mass changes they game swung in their favour, but all-in-all a good workout for the boys.”

On a cooler evening than of late, Craig maintained his first half side into the second period, giving several players their first full hour of preseason.

The opening opportunity of the match was created by the Angels when Bradley Williams cross from the right was met with a driven shot from the edge of the box from Jordan Higgs that struck the right hand post.

The game was highly competitive with a few robust challenges that brought a wag of the finger from the referee, before Bracknell came into the game with a last ditch challenge from Naz Bakrin denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Tonbridge opened the scoring on 40 minutes when new signing Brandon Pierrick pulled the ball back from the left for Babajide to coolly finish from around 12 yards.

Bracknell pressed hard for an equaliser from the outset of the second half with Jordan Esprit firing a shot that cleared the bar when well placed and, just over the hour mark, a trialist struck the Angels bar.

The visitors continued to make chances, but were wasteful with their finishing whilst an Angels trialist crossed for Mackenzie Richardson to head goal wards only to see the ball cleared from the line.

A long delay in the game whilst a Bracknell player received attention saw the game into seven minutes of time added and, in that time, the visitors had further chances to salvage something from the game but they went begging.

Craig said of his recruitment that they “were almost there” with perhaps only a defender to add to the squad alongside any of the trialists that could be signed in the coming days.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Beckenham Town 0

Match 3/25/2346 - Saturday, 12th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Sablier 71
Beckenham Town (0) 0
Attendance: 258
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/186

Heat proved the ultimate winner as both sides laboured in the conditions in which the Angels recorded their third successive pre-season win with a 71st minute strike from Marcus Sablier.

Beckenham Town provided a resilient opposition and, on another day, might have had a goal to reward them for their effort.

Craig Nelson acknowledged in his post-match interview that the heat had played its part in the afternoon’s proceedings: “The conditions were tough, easy to say from the sidelines, my feet were burning, I had to kick my boots off, so I can only imagine what it was like to play in! But this is what pre-season is for, about putting them at a point where they feel uncomfortable and seeing how they cope.”

As with the previous pre-season games, Craig fielded virtually a different side each half, with Arthur Penney playing a full 90 minutes.

After a quiet opening, it was the visitors that sprang to life with Kenny O’Banaya having three opportunities, a strike from distance that cleared the bar on 17 minutes; he brought a save from Alexander Dubov on 22 minutes and had another effort over the bar on 31 minutes.

Meanwhile, the only Angels effort of note came from Trialist15 who saw his shot saved by James Batt.

The Angels second half side brought a greater intensity with Brody Peart, who has signed on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, to the fore.

Peart had an effort deflected wide and, from the resultant corner, Penney’s header was cleared from the line.

Trialist6 brought a good save from Batt as the home side dominated. On 65 minutes, a Penney header across the face of goal found Eddie Simon, but his snap shot was wide.

The breakthrough came, on 71 minutes, when Trialist15’s run and cross from the left was only partially cleared into the path of Sablier, who drove his shot into the roof of the net.

Beckenham rallied in the closing stages with a header that brushed a post and a late effort that was saved by Jacob Adams.

Craig summed up the performance: “A little bit displeased, if I’m honest. From a result perspective, job done but I think the boys will know that they need to move the ball better, be a bit more clinical and have that cutting edge to goal. But all-in-all, job done, minutes in the legs and we move on and move forward.”

Picture: Wes Filtness

Tonbridge Angels 4 Welling United 2

Match 2/25/2345 - Tuesday, 9th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (3) 4 Trialist15 12,33,40 Sablier 73
Welling United (1) 2 Vaughan 29 Sinai 62
Attendance: 340
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/148

Tonbridge Angels eased to their second pre-season win with a 4-2 scoreline in an entertaining encounter with Welling Unitedat the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium.

Craig Nelson utilised the same set of trialists that featured at Margate on Saturday with one of them making a significant impact with a first half hat-trick.

Assistant Manager Joe Vines, taking the post-match interview said of the trialist: “There is a conversation to be had. He is a trialist, but he is someone that is known to us. I’ve known him a long time, he did terrific but alongside others as well. When you think about the nature of the goals, winning the ball high and quick, incisive passes. We will see, these conversations are always ongoing, it makes it a little easier in some ways and also a little more difficult in others!”

Ten years ago to the day, an Angels trialist, Junior Dian, collapsed on the pitch at Whyteleafe and lost his life despite the heroic efforts of Tonbridge Angels physio, Melvin Slight and Junior was remembered with a minute’s silence prior to the start of the game.

Welling, under the new management of Lee Martin, are a squad of many new faces and trialists and, in the early stages looked like a team getting to know each other as the Angels’ passing and movement cut through them almost at will before finally going ahead courtesy of a poor pass across the face of the box that was intercepted and put away by the trialist wearing number 15.

From that reversal, Welling grew into the game and, on 21 minutes, spectators were left open mounted as Jacob Adams, in the Tonbridge goal, brought a series of four, even five, close range saves in a matter of seconds before the ball was hacked to safety.

On 29 minutes, the bad back pass was reciprocated and Welling were level through Ruben Shakpoke, who tucked the ball away nicely into the bottom corner.

Parity was only to last four minutes as trialists 14 and 15 combined to allow the latter the roll the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

The visitors were continuing to threaten and Adams did well to turn over a rasping shot from Henry Sinai, who then could have done better with a header from the resultant corner.

Five minutes before the break the same trialist combination brought about the hat trick goal for trialist 15.

An entirely new Tonbridge side took the field for the second half but none of the fluency was lost with a shot from Alfie Allen just clearing the bar and following some good wing back play from Bailey Akehurst, Bunmi Babajide turned the cross wide from close range. On 62 minutes, Welling reduced the deficit to a single goal with a good finish from Sinai, but the Angels regained control of the game with several chances ending in near misses before the ball broke on the edge of the box for Marcus Sablier to drive his shot into the bottom corner.

Joe Vines summed up the performance: “I thought it was a good performance, both both sets of 11’s. Once we got used to their shape, we took control of the game both in the first half; in the second we had to get used to their rotation which we did quickly, but with the ball we were very good, without the ball we worked really hard. There is still a lot to work on, but overall, well deserving of our win with a lot of good performances both individually and as a collective.”

Margate 2 Tonbridge Angels 3

Match 1/25/2344 - Saturday, 5th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly

Margate (1) 2 Derry 27 Atkins 75
Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Trialist12 51 Trialist14 66 Richardson 78
Attendance: 608
Admission: £3
Mileage: 110/110

Craig Nelson’s tenure as Tonbridge Angels’ manager got off to a winning start at Margate with an exciting second half performance that brought three goals as a right-sided trialist caught the eye with a stunning strike and an assist as the visitors rallied from a 1-0 half-time deficit courtesy of a goal from ex-Angels 2019 play-off hero Tom Derry.

Nelson reflected on the performance: “We controlled the game in both halves really well. In the first half, a little bit too slow but the boys are learning something new; they don’t know each other too well either, so they are learning about each other whilst playing a game of football which is not the easiest thing to do. In the second half the guys did really well, they upped the tempo and there were some great finishes, all three goals were well worked and seeing the boys gel with some of the signed players was good.”

On a warm, but thankfully cooler than of late, afternoon, a decent attendance with a healthy following from Tonbridge watched on as Pete Doherty of the Libertines set the game in motion, in his hat and to be almost immediately substituted.

First chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts after nine minutes when a ball into the box from Harrison Hatfull found the head of Sam Blackman, whose effort rebounded from the crossbar.

Tonbridge responded well and, after 15 minutes, they too hit the crossbar with a shot from Nazir Bakrin. This was quickly followed by a good save from Tom Wray as a shot from 20 yards from Jordan Higgs was goal bound.

The Angels fell behind on 27 minutes when a quickly taken free kick sent Derry clear to slot past the advancing Jacob Adams. The Tonbridge goalkeeper was brought into action once more within a couple of minutes denying Derry a second goal.

Another Higgs effort from distance was saved and Bunmi Babajide also tested Wray as the Angels ended the half strongly.

The second half brought a complete change in the Angels line-up and brought to the fore trialist number 12 who made an instant impression that was further enhanced with a stunning strike on 51 minutes into the top corner after he had jinked his way from the right touchline into the box.

The visitors hit the front after 66 minutes when good work down the right from Matty Warren saw the ball met inside the six yard box by trialist number 14 whose crisp half-volley finish gave Wray no chance.

Tonbridge were in full flow as Warren fired over and the trialist 14 forced Wray into a good save and it came as a surprise when, after 75 minutes, a long cross from the left found its way to Louie Atkins who scored at the far post.

The home side’s joy was short-lived as, three minutes later, a drive down the right from trialist 14 followed by a low cross into the box that was finished neatly by Academy player Mackenzie Richardson.

Richardson saw a header turned over the bar and Wray saved well from trialist 17 as the Angels saw out the game well on top.

Nelson added: “We were pleased, all in all, things need to be tweaked, which is absolutely fine, that’s what pre-season is for, but it’s good to get minutes into the legs and also to win the game.”

Parky's XI 6 Ex-Angels XI 4

Match 105/24/2343 - Saturday, 24th May 2025 - Tom Parkinson Testimonial

Parky's XI (2) 6
Ex-Angels XI (1) 4
Est. Attendance: 200
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/6,991

Chelsea Women 3 Manchester United Women 0

Match 104/24/2342 - Sunday, 18th May 2025 - Women's FA Cup Final

Chelsea (1) 3 Baltimore 45 (pen), 90+1 Macario 84
Manchester United (0) 0
Attendance: 74,412
Admission: £35
Mileage: 100/6,953

My first live viewing of women's football at the highest level was a mostly good experience.

A lovely family atmosphere, Wembley without the drunks, without the hassle, but also without an opposition.

Chelsea are the best team in the country, evidently set to become the best team in the world, so the result wasn't entirely unexpected, but as a Manchester United supporter, it would have been good had they turned up.

Chelsea were good, Erin Cuthbert was superb, a pleasure to watch but, walking away, whilst I didn't exactly feel short-changed, I had the thoughts in my head that their dominance isn't good for women's football in this country and with paper-talk suggesting that Jim Ratcliffe might be in the process of drastically reducing the budget of Manchester United's women's section, it leaves you to wonder if the Women's Super League might be a one horse race for years to come.

Sonia Bompastor's first year in charge ended with Chelsea unbeaten courtesy of two goals from Sandy Baltimore and a header from Catarina Macario as United were swept aside after making a reasonably good start to the game, creating the opening chance with Dominique Janssen lifting her shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Next season I really must get to a WSL game, but to preserve my faith in the competitive nature of the game, I think I'll give Chelsea a miss.

Aldershot Town 3 Spennymoor Town 0

Match 103/24/2341 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Trophy Final

Aldershot Town (0) 3 Barham 48 Ellison 71 Barrett 87
Spennymoor Town (0) 0
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853

Report from Non-League Chronicles

After the Vase Final, the time came for the FA Trophy Final and what a story in prospect.

With Spennymoor Town having finished ninth in the Vanarama National League North and step 2, the Trophy has acted as a real opportunity for them to put their name in lights. Indeed they had beaten higher opposition from the National League in the shape of Sutton United and Boston United as part of their Trophy run as well as Rochdale in the semi final with a thrilling last gasp equaliser before winning on penalties.

Could they do it again and cause an upset by beating National League Aldershot Town at Wembley? Aldershot, who finished the campaign in 16th in the National League, would have been considered the favourites but the Trophy has had its share of non National League clubs winning the tournament in recent years, such as Hornchurch and Brackley Town, so could Spennymoor add their name to that list?

Well they certainly should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finley Shrimpton broke free down the right and laid the ball back to Rob Ramshaw whose effort to the bottom left corner was tame and straight into the arms of Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.

Aldershot’s two main chances of the first half came via Josh Barrett - firstly trying to bend a shot into the bottom right with his shot well saved wide by Spennymoor goalkeeper Brad James for a corner before James caught an angled shot towards the top left corner.

The game needed a bit of a spark and got it when Aldershot took the lead in the 48th minute when a ball from the right by James Henry was slotted into the bottom right by Jack Barham.

After huffing and puffing from both sides Aldershot doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Dan Ellison headed home a corner from the left.

Aldershot sealed the trophy in some style three minutes from time when Josh Barrett could not have caught his volley any sweeter as the ball flew into the top right corner in an outstanding finish.

AFC Whyteleafe 1 Whitstable Town 2

Match 102/24/2340 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Vase Final

AFC Whyteleafe (1) 1 Bennett 17
Whitstable Town (0) 2 Smith 52 Sithole 100
After Extra Time
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853

Report from Non-League Chronicles

The first game of Non-League Finals Day pitted AFC Whyteleafe against Whitstable Town in the FA Vase Final.

Whitstable were looking for silverware having missed out in the league (Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division) and playoffs as well as the Kent Senior Trophy Final.

As for AFC Whyteleafe, who knows where they finished last season?! The absolute shambles that is the Combined Counties League still have not decided on who has and has not been guilty of fielding ineligible players in the Premier Division South meaning the playoffs are still on hold and have been for some time! Surely the playoffs cannot take place in June either given the insurance on player injuries as well as potential holidays booked for players and coaches alike so a pre-season playoff tournament anyone?!

A famous resident of Whitstable is Madness frontman Suggs and Whyteleafe’s Daniel Bennett found himself one step beyond Whitstable’s backline, finishing a lovely team move in the 17th minute when he dinked the ball over the diving Whitstable goalkeeper Daniel Colmer and into the bottom right.

The only other real significant chance of the first half saw Whyteleafe’s Aaron Watson have a dig that was well saved wide by Daniel Colmer.

It only took Whitstable seven minutes of the second half to equalise when Harvey Smith came up with a finish into the bottom left corner to set up a house of fun for the remainder of the game.

Whyteleafe then had a big chance to re-take the lead when both Aaron Watson and then Ryan Gondoh were denied by good Daniel Colmer saves before both sides had efforts off target - Ronald Sithole for Whitstable and Daniel Bennett for Whyteleafe.

Whyteleafe could have won the game at the death - Rodney Eruotor curling an effort off the bar before having the rebound saved by the feet of Colmer and how Whyteleafe would rue that eventually

If truth be told Whitstable dominated the chances in extra time - Ronald Sithole and Harvey Smith denied with saves from Whyteleafe goalkeeper George Hill before Sithole somehow missed a chance by hitting the left post with the goal gaping.

Sithole however made amends. After he had an initial effort saved, he kept his composure before tucking a shot into the top right corner to kill the game like Peter Cushing as Dracula out for the count - a former resident of Whitstable.

So it was a case of “Wembley’s a Sithole - I want to go home” for Whitstable - and so they did - with the trophy and a million memories.

Parkwood Rangers Women 0 Tonbridge Angels Women 5

Match 101/24/2339 - Thursday, 8th May 2025 - SECWFL League Cup Final

Parkwood Rangers Women (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Women (2) 5 Churchill 33 Herbert-Smith 43 Driscoll 54 Cresswell 74 Cooper 81
Attendance: 200
Admission: £3
Mileage: 21/6,753

Tonbridge Angels Women retained their SECWFL League Cup crown with a comfortable 5-0 win over Parkwood Rangers and with it completing a Cup double to add to their runners-up position in the SECWFL Kent Premier Division.

Parkwood belied their league position at the foot of the table with a stubborn first half performance, albeit that the Angels still went into the break two goals to the good.

Angels’ Women’s manager Joe Rowe commented: “I enjoyed that one, the team played really well. We said at half-time we need to keep doing the simple things and opportunities will come, which they did with some great goals and we were good to watch. We’ve had a very good run, 13 or 14 unbeaten and we knew, given league position, that we were the favourites. Credit to Parkwood, they beat Maidstone and Sevenoaks en-route to the final, so we knew that we would have to be on our game.”

A pleasantly warm evening at The Gallagher saw a good turnout from both sets of supporters with the Angels’ barmy army providing the constant backdrop of noise.

The Angels began the game on the front foot, and in fairness, the passage of play didn’t change much throughout the 90 minutes of the game. After just three minutes, Tonbridge’s leading goalscorer, Grace Mayhead was sent clear but, in what became a recurring theme, Parkwood’s goalkeeper, Jemma Roodenburgh was quick off her line to smother her shot. The resultant corner saw Mollyanne Herbert-Smith head against the bar, and this was quickly followed by Herbert-Smith seeing her shot turned over by Roodenburgh.

The game settled into a pattern in which the Angels dominated but stubborn resistance from the Bexley-based side restricted the chances to a bare minimum with Roodenburgh saving well from Charlotte Cresswell on the half-hour.

The Angels goalkeeper, Lois Bartlett, had been largely untroubled before a corner saw a header from Corrie Goodhew clear the bar.

The Angels finally achieved the breakthrough on 33 minutes and, as much as it was well deserved, it came with a stroke of good fortune as Aimee Churchill’s free kick from 20 yards took a massive deflection to leave Roodenburgh stranded.

Two minutes before the break the lead was doubled when Churchill opened up a shooting opportunity for Hope Mumford that went through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the roof of the net.

Early second half saves from Roodenburgh to twice deny Herbert-Smith came prior to a 30 yard screamer into the top corner from Milly Driscoll that would be a contender for any goal of the season contest.

Parkwood continued to battle hard against a never-ending tide of Angels pressure and even survived a penalty miss on 74 minutes, before good work down the right by Holly Maclaurin allowed Cresswell to score from close range for the Angels’ fourth.

The game was wrapped up on 81 minutes when Amelia Cooper cut in from the left to bury her shot into the bottom corner.

Joe Rowe summed up the women’s season: “Our aim was, we have got promoted and we are not here just to turn up and be an extra team in that league. Our aim was top three and a cup final, so I’m really pleased with the runners-up spot and to win two cup finals.”

Staplehurst Monarchs U23 0 Whitstable Town U23 5

Match 100/24/2338 - Monday, 5th May 2025 - SCEFL Development East

Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 0
Whitstable Town U23 (1) 5
Headcount: 53
Admission: £2.50
Mileage: 1/6,732

Cuxton 91 2 Guru Nanak 1

Match 99/24/2337 - Saturday, 3rd May 2025 - Kent County Premier League

Cuxton 91 (0) 2 Lawson 82 Longman 90+5
Guru Nanak (0) 1 48'
Headcount: 60
Admission: £1 (Programme)
Mileage: 42/6,731
New ground: 390

Not quite ready for the season's end so an end of season dip into the Kent County League at a new ground, Cuxton 91.

This was to be Cuxton's last match at Bush Lane for at least the next two seasons as they decamp to Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium whilst facilities are upgraded.

The facilities, a social club aside, are sparse to be kind with a high grass bank offering a good vantage point for viewing.

The game was settled with a 97th minute winner for the hosts after Guru Nanak, of fantastic backdrop fame, had taken a lead around the hour mark.

Constant haranguing of the referee, no matter how bad he was, only left me to wonder why they bother.

Tonbridge Angels U18 0 Kingstonian U18 0

Match 98/24/2336 - Thursday, 1st May 2025 - Isthmian Youth League Champions of Champions Semi-Final

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 0
Kingstonian U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels won 4-2 on penalties
Attendance: 100
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/6,689

Tonbridge Angels U18’s will feature in an Isthmian Youth League Champions of Champions Final for the first time in eight years following Thursday evening’s dramatic penalty shootout success against Kingstonian at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium.

After a tense 90 minutes, in which either side could lay claim to be deserving of the place in the final, which will be against Worthing at Uxbridge Football Club on Thursday, 8th May, kick-off 19:45, the Angels held their nerve in the spot kick lottery with leading goalscorer, Robert Penman sending the Kingstonian goalkeeper the wrong way to win the shootout 4-2.

It is five weeks since the Tonbridge lads have played a match, following their final two games of the season being postponed as Glebe curtailed their season, and at times that showed. Kingstonian came into the game with a record of only dropping four points in a 14 game season in the Central Division, and were the sharper of the two teams out of the blocks.

Whether by over-fussy refereeing, or by their own design, Tonbridge gave away far too many free kicks in their own half and with some wicked deliveries entering the box the Angels needed to be at their best to deny the visitors. But, come the half-time whistle, neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested.

The second period was played in a similar fashion, but with a couple of chances that could have won the game for either side. On 56 minutes, the fleet-footed Tolu Fabimafobee sprinted clear but was denied at the last by an equally pacy defender whose last gasp challenge was enough to deflect the ball for a corner.

The K’s fashioned two chances of their own with Josh Hanson saving well at his near post and when an attacker was sent clear, Hanson advanced quickly to save at his feet.

A collective holding of breath came late in the game was a visiting forward appeared to be brought down in the box but the referee decided it was simulation and the K’s player was shown a yellow card.

The penalty shootout began with Adam Larkin scoring the opening goal and when the K’s reply came back from the bar, the Angels were in front but the second spot kick was missed and Kingstonian were back level after an extraordinary incident in which Hanson saved but the ball squirmed away from him and, despite protestations, it was deemed the ball had crossed the line. Callum Fincham made it 2-1 before this was levelled. Ed Dyer put the Angels back in front and when Hanson saved, Penman was was offered, and took the opportunity to win the contest.

James Larkin said after the final whistle: "A fantastic evening, full credit to the boys who’s bravery, commitment and approach to the game was first class. And there’s not a group who deserve a final than this group! A fantastic team performance to be proud of."

Tonbridge Angels 1 Boreham Wood 3

Match 97/24/2335 - Saturday, 26th April 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wood 71
Boreham Wood (2) 3 Rush 28 Clayden 41 Ilesanmi 48
Attendance: 1,202
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,651

Sadly for our visitors, Boreham Wood, no helicopter commissioned by the National League, was needed to land in the centre circle, despite them easing to a comfortable win at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium. Their unlikely route to the title was denied by results elsewhere, and was effectively ended within the first 10 minutes of the game at Truro City. They will have to be content with a home game in the eliminators against Dorking Wanderers.

The Wood fans travelled in their numbers into Kent, one would guess more in hope than expectation, and their favourites put on a first half display of dominance that suggests they will go at least go into the play-offs with momentum.

Scott Wagstaff has faced a testing baptism to management, but one that he will be willing to commit to in a year’s time after a final season of his playing career. “It was a difficult situation we came into but it has given me the bug to eventually want this a little bit more. The experience has been brilliant and I thank Sophie and the board for giving me the opportunity to do that and we will see what the future holds.”

Boreham Wood were fast out of the traps and Matt Rowley was needed to deny Charlie O’Connell and Tom Whelan before they hit the front on 28 minutes when a driven shot from Abdul Abdulmelik was turned in at the far post by the predatory, ex-Angels loanee, Matt Rush.

Four minutes before the break Wood doubled their advantage when Charlie Clayden was sent clear with an exquisite through ball from Rush to slide the ball under the advancing Rowley.

Three minutes into the second half the game was put beyond doubt as a far post header from Rush came back off the woodwork for Femi Ilesanmi to turn in from close range.

The Angels mounted a spirited second half, following the goal, with Nazir Bakrin’s header going narrowly wide and the same player being thwarted by Nathan Ashmore before Liam Vincent’s cross into the box saw Wood turn and fire into the bottom corner.

Late efforts from substitutes Mackenzie Richardson and Jeremy Santos might have reduced the deficit further but it was not to be and the curtain was brought down on the season.

Scott added: “It has been difficult, we have been down to bare bones a lot of the time and I don’t want to use that as an excuse because the boys have been excellent for me, but you look at the squad and it is very thin, we’ve had injuries here and there. I didn’t want to play because I didn’t think that was fair on the boys to be on the pitch and not have someone looking on from the sidelines, so I took myself back from that. But the boys can be proud of what they have achieved.”

"I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to be awarded the Austin Verini and to have my name inscribed on the shield alongside many illustrious names is very humbling. Thank-you to the Sophie and her board, I cannot put into words, not good for a media person, just how much this means to me."