Tonbridge 1 AFC Sudbury 0

Match 123/16/1430 - Saturday, 15th April 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 78
AFC Sudbury (0) 0
Attendance: 554

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/8,393

The opening 45 minutes of this game was played in an almost funereal atmosphere as, supporters and players alike, at Longmead seemed to be suffering a collective hangover from Wednesday evening's Cup Final debacle.

AFC Sudbury arrived in Kent in their own last chance saloon as relegation would be confirmed by defeat at Tonbridge.

The Angels opened the game on the front foot, Nick Wheeler had a shot at the goalkeeper and a surging run from full back Ugo Udoji ended with a shot that was wide. But, it was to be another half-hour before the home side was to register a shot on goal, in the intervening time it was Sudbury who took the game to their hosts. Sam Corcoran shot narrowly wide and Jonny Henly made three saves to deny Liam Wales and two headers from Adam Tann before Vas Karagiannis finally ended the shot drought.

The second half took on a different look as Tonbridge finally found a way of getting Wheeler in the game. Alex Akrofi did well to send Wheeler on his way and his cross found the head of Nathan Elder whose goalbound header was brilliantly saved by Marcus Garnham.

Normal service had been duly resumed on the Wheeler/Elder partnership as Wheeler fed the big man with crosses that he headed over in the 55th minute and wide five minutes later.

There was a sense of inevitability that the partnership would eventually break down the Sudbury defence and it finally came 12 minutes from time when Elder headed home Wheeler's free kick from close range.

As the hosts failed to find a second goal, Sudbury seeing the trap door opening before their eyes threw their goalkeeper forward for their last corner kick. Nothing came of it and their one season stay in the Ryman Premier was ended.

For Tonbridge the last chance saloon stays open for another day, this time in Folkestone, for whom a relegation place alongside Sudbury looms large.

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge 0 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Match 107/16/1414 - Saturday, 18th March 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 0
Dulwich Hamlet (0) 0
Attendance: 656

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/7,488

There is a line that I've used more than once in the time of this blog but it bears using again: "If you are prepared to take a point on the way in, be thankful for it on the way out."

When games are given tags towards the end of the season, "six-pointer" or "must win", I looked upon this one as "must not lose" rather than the aforementioned options. Throw in a stiff wind and a dry pitch, both sides were probably satisfied with the outcome.

Following Tuesday's Ryman League Cup Semi-Final between the clubs, Tonbridge made four changes whilst Dulwich made seven, so a very different game was only to be expected and duly materialised.

Dulwich enjoyed the advantage of the wind in the first period and duly dominated proceedings. After 11 minutes an effort from ex-Angel Nathan Green was deflected over his own crossbar by Jack Parter and Jonny Henly made the first of several ventures from his penalty area to clear. Henly is a sweeper-keeper in the modern way of goalkeeping and is proving to be very adept in the art.

After 27 minutes following a cross from Green, Dipo Akinyemi planted a header onto the top of the crossbar but overall Dulwich were restricted to very few actual shots on goal, whilst the home side failed to ask a single save out of Preston Edwards.

Taking their turn with the wind advantage, Tonbridge produced an opportunity in the opening minute of the second half but Alex Akrofi hooked the ball over the bar.

Although Tonbridge held sway in the second period they, like Dulwich in the first, found it difficult to create clear opportunities. Mitchell Nelson headed a Nick Wheeler free kick wide; and it was late in the game when Luke Blewden and Nathan Elder had headers that were easily gathered by Edwards.

For the neutral it was a game that was hardly a thrill a minute, nonetheless, it was absorbing with both defences and the elements emerging the winners.

Tonbridge 3 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Match 104/16/1411 - Tuesday, 14th March 2017 - Ryman League Cup SF

Tonbridge (1) 3 Akrofi 8,74 Elder 50
Dulwich Hamlet (1) 1 Beaney 26
Attendance: 305

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/7,260

Tonbridge Angels have reached a League Cup Final for the first time at this level for 60 years. On Wednesday, 12 April, at Carshalton they will take on the money bags, ever so slightly bonkers Billericay Town in search of their first ever Isthmian/Southern League Cup trophy.

A first look at the team sheet, although very much aware of the problems leading up to the game, left me feeling that this would be too big an ask, despite Dulwich Hamlet also fielding a side that probably won’t bear any resemblance to the one that returns on Saturday for an important Ryman League fixture.

From the starting eleven it was difficult to work out who would be playing where with the left back spot a real dilemma. After Saturday when three left backs were injured at Staines, perhaps nobody wanted to play there! As it was, the newly-found Jack of all Trades, Damian Scannell filled in to great effect.

Tonbridge were a goal to the good after just eight minute when. An electrifying run and cross from Andre McCollin was met with a stooping header from Alex Akrofi from two yards.

Dulwich slowly worked their way back into the game and, despite a Luke Allen free kick that was narrowly over the bar, there wasn’t too much of a surprise when the visitors equalised after 26 minutes. An unnecessary foul by Mitchell Nelson produced a free kick on the edge of the box that was fired in at the near post by Kenny Beaney.

Hamlet now entered into a purple patch and four minutes later were awarded a penalty when Liam Smith was adjudged to have pushed and was given a yellow card for his trouble.

Ibra Sekajja struck the spot kick firmly enough but Tonbridge’s goalkeeper, Jonny Henly guessed right and parried the ball with Sonny Miles completing the clearance. Almost without doubt it was a big turning point in the match and Dulwich certainly had the momentum at that time.

Dulwich were certainly the side that created the chances in the latter period of the first half with Dumebi Dumaka wasting a heading opportunity and a speculative overhead kick from Sekajja also clearing the bar.

Tonbridge substituted McCollin for Nathan Elder at half-time and the move brought an almost instant dividend. Akrofi’s run into the box was halted but the diminutive striker won the ball back and stood up the perfect cross to the far post for Elder to deliver a trademark header.

Sekajja delivered a cross from the left that begged a touch but didn’t get one and Smith did exceptionally well to clear from the line as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

The game became open and end to end as the teams traded attacks. For the Angels, Akrofi was literally terrorising the Hamlet back line that was pretty ponderous.

After 74 minutes, Tonbridge gave themselves a bit of breathing space with a third goal. Elder won the ball for Luke Allen to deliver a killer pass into the path of Akrofi who deftly rolled the ball past the advancing Preston Edwards.

Dulwich responded as they had to in order to save the game but found a Henly on top form saving firstly at the feet of Gavin Tomlin and then a fine save at his near post from Dumaka.

Promotion would be the top priority for both of these clubs and either would possibly trade the win for three points on Saturday, but a Cup Final is still something to look forward to.

Pictures: Wesley Filtness

Tonbridge 3 Needham Market 4

Match 100/16/1407 - Saturday, 4th March 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 3 Udoji 18, Elder 37, Nelson 52
Needham Market (0) 4 Sands 49, Ingram 63, Dobson 77, Nunn 85
Attendance: 555

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/6,950

My hundredth game of the season proved to be a truly memorable occasion, sadly for all the wrong reasons.

Tonbridge and Needham Market, sitting third and fourth in the table, separated only by goal difference, had all the makings of a close encounter, but at half-time the difference between the sides could easily have been third and 14th, such was the home side's superiority. But an injury to Anthony Di Bernardo was about to change the game completely.

The visitors started reasonably well and it took a well-positioned Jack Parter to clear from the line as a glancing header from a corner was goal bound. But it was Tonbridge that opened the scoring after 18 minutes when a well-worked training ground routine from a corner saw Tom Phipp cross to the near post where the head of Ugo Udoji steered the ball home.

Tonbridge took control of the game with Luke Allen supplying a cross for Alex Akrofi to direct his shot at the goalkeeper and then driving over a shot. Hearts did go into mouths when Mitchell Nelson trod on the ball and nearly let in John Sands but recovered to clear to safety.

After 37 minutes, Tonbridge went 2-0 up when an inch perfect cross from Allen found the head of Nathan Elder for the striker's 50th goal for the club.

Just before the break, Di Bernardo went down injured and with his first kick of the ball following treatment it was clear that he would not be able to continue and was replaced by goalkeeping coach Stewart Copeland during the break.

Within three minutes of the restart Needham Market had reduced the deficit when a cross from the right found the head of Sands, who glancing header found the bottom corner.

The home side re-established their two goal advantage just three minutes later when Nelson headed in Nick Wheeler's corner, the goal being awarded after the linesman's flag indicated that the ball had crossed the line despite the efforts of a Needham defender on the line.

The game was to turn back towards the Suffolk side in the 55th minute when a hopeless misjudgement by Copeland led to Udoji committing a professional foul on the edge of the box and seeing red for his misdemeanour.

Down to 10 men, with no confidence in the goalkeeper behind them, Tonbridge descended into disarray. Defenders cleared long and desperately with ball retention further upfield becoming non-existent. It was only a matter of time before the Suffolk side would gain parity and this they did after 77 minutes when Luke Ingram surged inside from the right to finish with a shot into the bottom right hand corner with Copeland flat footed.

Any hopes that Tonbridge would salvage something from the game appeared to end when, five minutes from time, a cross from the right slipped from the grasp of Copeland to the waiting feet of Reece Dobson who gratefully fired into the unguarded net.

And yet Tonbridge might just have rescued a point in time added with two chances that fell, firstly to Luke Blewden who missed narrowly wide right and in the final act of the afternoon a Dan Thompson shot that was deflected away from the line by a defender.

Conceivably, these two sides could meet again in the play-off semi-finals. Tonbridge have won twice this season at Needham and now the Marketmen have taken the points away from Longmead, who's to say home advantage between these clubs is an advantage?

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge 1 Havant & Waterlooville 1

Match 99/16/1406 - Tuesday, 28th February 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 1 Akrofi 13
Havant & Waterlooville (0) 1 Prior 82
Attendance: 408

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/6,912

Match Report

It is not an unnatural thought of many that the three games in the next week would prove to be a pivotal point in Tonbridge Angels’ season. This game against second placed Havant & Waterlooville is to be followed by third placed (at kick-off time) Needham Market on Saturday and, next Tuesday, a visit to sixth placed Leiston. The schedule provokes a discussion on the definition of a “must win” game, in my opinion, on the last day of February, perhaps not. Nonetheless, this was a game of significance.

At the final whistle we then enter the age-old argument of a point gained or two lost after the visitors had found an equaliser in the 82nd minute courtesy of their goal machine Jason Prior.

The game was a credit to the Ryman League, the officiating was a tad erratic but, thankfully, didn’t have a great deal of bearing on the final result.

Mitchell Nelson remained suspended, so the makeshift pairing of Ugo Udoji and Tommy Parkinson were required to blunt the prolific partnership of Prior and Alfie Rutherford.

A shooting opportunity for both sides arrived in the first five minutes, Tom Phipp for the Angels and Rory Williams for the visitors but the opening period was cat and mouse with both sides largely cancelling each other out.

After 12 minutes Tonbridge could have taken the lead when Nick Wheeler’s cross was met with a goalbound header from Nathan Elder, but his effort was denied by a brilliant diving save from Ryan Young.

Havant’s reprieve was only momentary and a minute later a sublime through ball from Phipp found Alex Akrofi, who had a lot of time to think about where he was about to put the ball but he kept his nerve and slotted past the advancing Young.

The Wheeler-Elder combination might have given the Angels a two goal advantage before the break but the big man steered his header wide.

Tonbridge breathed a sigh of relief in the 39th minute when they managed to shepherd the ball to safety after Anthony Di Bernardo had initially parried a close range shot with a few seconds of pin ball ensuing.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with neither side gaining ascendancy and chances that stretched either goalkeeper were few and far between, but that is not to say that it wasn’t a fascinating encounter.

Di Bernardo made a smart save at his near post after 57 minutes and a minute later Havant struck a post but a linesman’s flag was already raised.

The Tonbridge team, to a man, had put in a shift and into the last ten minutes it was obvious that some were running on empty and finally their defence was breached with eight minutes remaining. A needless free kick given away was floated to the far post reaching Di Bernardo without a touch and when the goalkeeper scooped the ball away it was only to the feet of Prior who had a tap-in.

Overall, this was a fair result. If Tonbridge were to back it up with a win against Needham Market then we can look back and say this was a good point that was enough to see them climb above Saturday’s opponents and into third place.

Tonbridge 3 Enfield Town 0

Match 90/16/1397 - Tuesday, 14th February 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 3 Elder 17, Allen 51, Parter 75
Enfield Town (0) 0
Attendance: 304

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/6,299

Match Report

Christmas is but a distant memory. One point over the festive period left many of us wondering if our race had been run. The likes of Bognor, Havant and even Needham Market seemed to be disappearing over the horizon. But one defeat in nine since the turn of the year and a few wobbles from the aforementioned has seen Tonbridge inch their way back into the play-off places with the top three no longer out of sight.

Players coming back to fitness, a midfield formation that is looking both strong and creative all adds to the optimism.

Enfield arrived in town with play-off ambitions of their own and for 15 minutes this didn't look like a game that would have its eventual outcome with Harry Ottaway testing Anthony Di Bernardo with a header.

The visitors were caught cold after 17 minutes when they failed to react to a short corner to Tom Phipp whose inch perfect cross was met with a powerful header from Nathan Elder that crashed back from the stanchion causing a bizarre minute in which it was questioned whether the ball had crossed the line. Elder received a cut to the head for his trouble and returned to the action swathed in a bandage.

Enfield continued to be a threat, Ottaway drove a cross across the face of goal when it was probably better to have shot and when Mitchell Nelson misheadsed back towards his own goal, Di Bernardo was bundled into the net after catching the ball by Harold Joseph.

The second period opened with a fine run, what turned out to be a foretaste, from Jack Parter that ended with a pass to Elder whose shot was blocked.

The traffic had now become very much one way, Phipp curled a shot over before Tonbridge created a goal of beauty after 51 minutes. Phipp and Luke Blewden combined before a pass to the left wing to Luke Allen who curled in a wonderful shot (I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't a cross) to the far post where it nestled in the corner.

After 75 minutes, Parter replicated his marauding down the left, after a challenge on Akrofi, the ball rebounded to Parter who slotted home.

Picture: Wesley Filtness

Pictures: David Couldridge

Tonbridge 4 Leatherhead 4

Match 84/16/1391 - Tuesday, 31st January 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 4 Wheeler 4, Phipp 48, Elder 70, Parter 76
Leatherhead (3) 4 Carr 12, Daniel 34, Smith 44,78
Attendance: 280

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50 (rain ruined)
Mileage: 38/5,895

It would have been an age-old debate that would have gone on in the bar until closing time. A point gained, or two lost?

On an absolutely filthy night, two sides produced a match that was thrilling for the paying spectator but would have left the respective managers tearing their hair out which probably accounts for Steve McKimm’s after-match comment that it was a “disappointing game in which nobody took responsibility especially in the first half. They did in the second half exactly what I asked them to do in the first and, lo and behold, we scored goals. But we got a point from 3-1 down; they gave me a good reaction.”

Jimmy Bullard, the Leatherhead boss was always an entertainer as a player and his side certainly gave their small travelling support value for money in the first period.

Tonbridge were ahead with only four minutes on the clock. Nick Wheeler swung in a wicked cross from the left into the area of uncertainty for any goalkeeper; it begged a touch but as no one managed that, the ball sailed serenely on its path to nestle into the far corner of the net.

The home side was undone after 12 minutes when a long punt through the middle was misjudged allowing Daniel Carr, their on-loan striker from Dulwich Hamlet, to run on and slip the ball past the advancing Anthony Di Bernardo.

The visitors continued to take the game to their hosts and it came as little surprise when they took the lead after 34 minutes, albeit with a fluke cross from Kadell Daniel, who looked as surprised as anybody, as his misplaced effort looped over Di Bernardo.

On the stroke of the break, the Tanners went into the dry of the dressing room with a third goal to their credit as Ty Smith was allowed far too much time and space to curl a low shot into the far corner.

McKimm certainly engendered a reaction from his side with the deficit being reduced to a single goal just four minutes after the restart. Tom Phipp skipped a couple of challenges before producing an exquisite lob from 20 yards that left Louis Wells helpless.

Tonbridge were on level terms after 70 minutes when Tom Parkinson literally nicked the ball from the toes of a couple of defenders before standing up the perfect cross for Nathan Elder to head home.

Six minutes later the comeback was complete when Jack Parter started and finished a move with a toe poke past Wells who had dived at his feet. Bullard took exception to the goal, claiming it was taken from the hands of his goalkeeper and was sent from the dug-out for his protestations.

Unfortunately, the comeback was not quite complete and, within two minutes, Leatherhead were back on terms with a similar goal to the Angels’ opener. Smith swung in a cross-turned-shot from the left that evaded a box full of bodies to find the far corner of the net.

The closing stages saw Di Bernardo saving from Carr to preserve the point.

Wink Tomkinson, rain sodden notebook, Longmead Stadium.

Picture courtesy David Couldridge

Tonbridge 0 Burgess Hill Town 0

Match 79/16/1386 - Tuesday, 17th January 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 0
Burgess Hill Town (0) 1
Attendance: 256

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,553

Match Report

Tonbridge Angels' hopes of breaking into the Ryman Premier play-off places were put on ice on a pitch that, in my opinion, was barely playable. Temperatures throughout the day had risen only a couple of degrees above freezing and first view of the pitch showed a good deal of frost and by the end of the game the mercury had dropped to -4degC.

Of course, the old adage of the pitch is the same for both sides is very true but if you only set out your stall to avoid losing the game, then a difficult pitch plays to your advantage and in their perilous position at the wrong end of the table, nobody can really blame Burgess Hill for their tactics.

Whether this game should have started, or not, Tonbridge created more than enough chances to win the game but a combination of good goalkeeping from Max Huxter and poor finishing denied them.

The Angels created seven good chances during the first half. Alex Akrofi dragged a shot wide of the far post barely a minute after the start and Luke Blewden shot past the same post after six minutes. Huxter made his first fine save when he saved low to his left following a Nick Wheeler free kick that was headed goalwards by Akrofi.

Huxter was next in action on 15 minutes this time tipping a Nathan Elder header onto the crossbar.

The ex-Tonbridge striker Billy Medlock brought the only first half save out of Anthony Di Bernardo when his low, angled drive was turned around the post. From the resultant corner, Anthony Richmond rose to head wide.

Tonbridge created two early second half chances when, from outside of the box, Luke Allen shot straight at Huxter, but perhaps the chance of the match came after 52 minutes when Blewden crossed from the right to the head of Tommy Parkinson who steered his header wide of the far post. It was the type of chance we have seen Parky bury many, many times.

As the pitch became whiter by the minute, the game fairly died on its feet, whilst all of the 256 people watching were struggling to feel theirs.

Sid Sollis came on with 16 minutes remaining and injected a bit of life and might have done better than steer his 83rd minute header straight at Huxter.

Having managed to avoid my third goalless draw of the season on Monday night with a 90th minute goal, this time there was to be no reprieve. The only consolation of the evening was the car heater easing those blocks of ice on the bottom of the legs back to life.

Pictures courtesy of David Couldridge

Tonbridge 3 Hendon 1

Match 77/16/1384 - Saturday, 14th January 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 3 Nelson 14, Akrofi 38 (pen), Beavan 49
Hendon (1) 1 Oliyide 9
Attendance: 428

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,483

The awarding of the man of the match to Tonbridge's goalkeeper, Anthony Di Bernardo, tells you everything about this match. But, if the result was flattering, then Tonbridge have been on the wrong end of several instances this season when they have deserved more than they got out of a match. A case of what goes around, comes around.

Hendon belied their league position, perilously in the bottom four, with a performance in which they were dangerous going forward but perhaps their fragility defending is reflected in that league position.

As early as the fourth minute Laste Dombaxe outpaced Mitchell Nelson to fire in a shot that brought a good save from Di Bernardo who was also equal the forward's shot from the rebound.

The early threat continued and an eighth minute lead was no more than the visitors deserved. A rare mistake from Jack Parter allowed a shot on goal that was brilliantly saved by Di Bernardo but this time the rebound fell nicely for Karl Oliyide to strike his shot into an unguarded goal.

The goal served to wake the Angels from their slumbers with Alex Akrofi bringing a low save out of Tom Lovelock after nine minutes and two minutes later the Hendon keeper did well to smother at Akrofi's feet.

Tonbridge were level after 14 minutes when a corner from Damian Scannell was met with a towering header from Nelson into the top right hand corner.

But Hendon refused to lie down and had chances to re-establish their lead with a header from Marcel Barrington that cleared the crossbar; a shot from the impressive Sam Murphy and Di Bernado needed to be alert to smother at the feet of Kezie Ibe.

Tonbridge were forced into a change after 20 minutes when Nelson tweaked a groin being substituted by Luke Blewden with Tommy Parkinson dropping back into the central defensive position vacated by Nelson.

After 34 minutes, Tom Phipp was brought down on the right-hand side of the box by a clumsy challenge. Akrofi's spot kick was accurate into the corner and needed to be as Lovelock got a hand to the ball.

Di Bernardo emphasised his man of the match credentials with a fine low save to deny Dave Diedhiou five minutes before the break.

The hosts gave themselves some breathing space three minutes into the second half when a corner from Scannell was flighted underneath the crossbar. Lovelock punched the ball up into the air under pressure; as the ball came down a header was cleared from the line but only to the head of George Beavan who converted from three yards.

Unfortunately, the rest of the second period sank into mediocrity as Tonbridge failed to capitalise on their lead mainly due to their inability to keep possession of the ball.

Despite the charitable nature of the Angels, Hendon also failed to find the threat they had posed in the first period. Di Bernardo saved well, low to his left, but otherwise Tonbridge saw the game out with relative ease.

The best news of the day was saved for the after match interview when it was revealed that Steve McKimm had extended his contract to manage the club into the 2017-18 season.

Pictures courtesy of Wesley Filtness

Tonbridge 2 Metropolitan Police 1

Match 74/16/1381 - Saturday, 7th January 2017 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 2 Akrofi 51, Blewden 66
Metropolitan Police (1) 1 Macklin 38
Attendance: 420

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,400

January will be a pivotal month for Tonbridge Angels. Eight games, six of them at home will either see them firmly established in the play-off places, perhaps even with an eye on the league leaders, or they will be struggling to stay in touch with those above at present.

The month didn’t start well with a Bank Holiday Tuesday defeat at their bogey ground of Billericay with two late, late goals grabbing defeat from the jaws of a first-ever victory at New Lodge Lane.

There is also the three match suspension of Nick Wheeler to be worked around following his sending-off at Worthing. Added to Wheeler’s suspension was the one game ban for Ugo Udogi which meant a recall to the starting line-up against the Metropolitan Police for James Folkes. Tom Phipp and Damian Scannell had places in the starting line-up with Luke Blewden dropping to the bench.

On a grey, murky afternoon the home side opened well with Phipp at the centre of everything, spraying passes left and right. He had an early shot blocked in what became a foretaste of the afternoon to come as the Met bravely put bodies on the line to frustrate their hosts.

A shot from Scannell brought a good, low save from Billy Bishop, who had kept goal for Tonbridge during 2014.

Although they were being forced to defend in numbers, the Met gave a few warnings to the Angels with the wing play of Mekhail McLaughlin and the very lively Roman Michael-Percil.

Tonbridge continued to create shooting chances, almost too many to mention, but the Plod stood firm and suckered the Angels in the 38th minute with a goal from Lloyd Macklin after Tonbridge made a mess of clearing a cross into the box.

The visitors could have doubled their advantage before the break when Macklin was sent clear but he made a complete mess of an attempted lob and Anthony Di Bernardo was allowed a comfortable catch.

Luke Blewden was introduced at the beginning of the second half for George Beavan, who had climbed out of his sickbed to play.

Six minutes into the half the hosts were level when a fine cross from Jack Parter was converted with a header from Alex Akrofi who might be small in stature but has springs in his heels.

Whilst Tonbridge continued to have the better of the game, the Police carved out a couple of good chances, one that brought a save out of Di Bernardo and another that necessitated a goal-line clearance from Phipp.

In the 66th minute, Tonbridge got their noses in front when Akrofi and Parter linked well on the left before the latter’s cross into the box was poorly dealt with; Nathan Elder touching the ball back to Blewden to crash home a shot into the centre of the goal

Tonbridge’s unnerving habit of going into the shells left their supporters with a jittery last 20 minutes as the Police went in search of an equaliser and as the minutes ticked by a sense of deja vu from the reverse fixture when the Police equalised in time added set alarm bells ringing.

Michael-Percil was creating havoc down the left hand side and it took a fine low save to his left from Di Bernardo to deny him and his side a share of the points with four minutes remaining.

This was a long way short of vintage Tonbridge, but if they can huff and puff their way through the cold, dark days of January with similar results they will be set up nicely for the run-in.

Pictures courtesy of Wes Filtness

Tonbridge 2 Folkestone Invicta 2

Match 69/16/1376 - Monday, 26th December 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 2 Akrofi 42 Allen 61
Folkestone Invicta (1) 2 Taylor 35 Dolan 82
Attendance: 586

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/5,046

Tonbridge Angels were forced to share the festive points with their visitors, Folkestone Invicta, equalising with a goal eight minutes from time. In fairness, it was no more than the east Kent club deserved from a competitive encounter.

Steve McKimm was without goalkeeper, Anthony Di Bernardo, who was unavailable for selection and the influential Nick Wheeler, who was still carrying the strain that kept him out of Tuesday evening’s game at Harrow. Nineteen-year-old reserve team goalkeeper, Louis Lawlor was Di Bernardo’s replacement between the sticks.

The first half was one in which neither side gained a position of dominance. Within the first ten minutes, Alex Akrofi had a snap shot that was deflected over the bar; for Invicta, ex-Angel, Joe Taylor brought a good diving save out of Lawlor and a surging run from Luke Allen ended with a good save at his near post from Folkestone’s Tim Roberts.

The game then settled down into a midfield tussle. Just shy of the half-hour mark, good work from Akrofi set up Nathan Elder for a shot across the face of goal that Roberts did well to turn to safety.

The visitors opened the scoring after 34 minutes. Taylor tried his luck from the edge of the box; the ball taking a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Lawlor.

Folkestone’s lead lasted eight minutes when a run and inch-perfect pass from Allen saw the ball through to Akrofi who buried his shot into the bottom corner.

After five minutes of the second half, Akrofi won a free kick on the edge of the box after being unceremoniously brought down. Allen’s free kick was well saved by Roberts with a save low to his left.

On the hour mark, Allen was brought down on the right hand side of the box. The midfielder took the free kick himself, seemingly bringing a brilliant save out of Roberts, who clawed the ball out of the top corner, but following-up, Akrofi bundled the ball home. After the match, McKimm confirmed in his interview that the referee had awarded to goal to Allen as the initial free kick had crossed the line.

In the closing 20 minutes, Folkestone went in search of an equaliser pushing the Angels back who were struggling to find an outlet in the wide areas. The leveller duly came with eight minutes remaining when Mitchell Nelson gave away a foul on the left hand edge of the box. Ronnie Dolan drove his free kick low and hard past the wall and into the right-hand corner of the net.

Steve McKimm in his post-match interview commented that he felt that his side had dominated for long spells. " We've had a lot of the play and done enough to win the game", he said, "but it wasn't to be in terms of coming away with three points. My target was to have 46 points from 23 games and instead we have 38 points from 22 matches so we are slightly behind , but if we get a win on Saturday we'll be close to that target. We are in a good position, and will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. We reached the play offs last season so our minimum aim would be the play off final, but remember we don't have a given right to win this league. Players are coming back and we'll only get stronger."

Tonbridge 3 Canvey Island 0

Match 65/16/1372 - Tuesday, 13th December 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 3 Blewden 62, Akrofi 87, Scannell 90+1
Canvey Island (0) 0
Attendance: 235

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,866

This evening's game marked my debut as first team scribbler, so if the post looks like a cut and paste from the official site, it is, but it is my scribbling!

Tonbridge Angels bounced back to winning ways following Saturday’s disappointment and in so doing edged to within a point of the play-off places in sixth position.

Their visitors, Canvey Island, lent them a helping hand with the sending-off of Tambeson Eyong in the first minute of the second half.

Manager Steve McKimm made three changes to his starting eleven from the Staines game; two were enforced through injury with Nathan Elder and Nick Wheeler nursing strains being replaced by Damian Scannell and Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson. Ugo Udoji was preferred at full back to James Folkes.

The first half was one of very few chances, the best of which fell to Canvey’s leading goalscorer, George Sykes, who rounded Anthony Di Bernardo and slid his shot goalwards but Jack Parter got back to clear from the line.

Without the target of Elder and the wing trickery of Wheeler, Tonbridge played a more compact game to feed the livewire Alex Akrofi who saw several first half attempts on goal blocked by resolute defending,

Eyong received his marching orders for a trip having collected his first yellow two minutes before the break.

Four minutes into the half, Scannell and Tom Parkinson fashioned an opening for Akrofi but with his back to goal he hooked his shot marginally wide.

McKimm made a 57th minute substitution, Tommy Whitnell on for Fortnam-Tomlinson and the change brought an immediate impact. Whitnell’s superb pass opened up a chance for Parkinson that was blocked, but within a minute, Tom Phipp sent Whitnell down the right for him to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Luke Blewden to sweep the ball in from close range at the near post.

A goal and a man to the good, Tonbridge managed the game very well, stringing passes and working their depleted opponents hard.

Luke Allen came off the bench for Mitchell Nelson, who suffered a dead-leg and, as he did on Saturday, brought fresh energy to the side.

In fairness, Canvey defended resolutely and that led to a certain nervousness with just a single goal lead, but Di Bernardo was rarely occupied.

The game was finally put to bed three minutes from time when Akrofi rode a foul challenge, for which John Mbamarah was subsequently booked, to fire into the net from the edge of the six yard box.

The game still held enough time to produce its magic moment. Canvey’s goalkeeper Luke Moore strayed a long way from home but his clearance only fell at the feet of Scannell, wide on the left touchline, 30 yards from goal. As he shot he lost his footing and was on the ground watching as the ball sailed towards to the goal and dipped below the bar.

Steve McKimm revealed after the match that Mitchell Nelson had signed for the Angels for the rest of the season on a permanent basis.

Picture: Wes Flitness

Tonbridge 1 Staines Town 2

Match 64/16/1371 - Saturday, 10th December 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 1 Allen 75
Staines Town (1) 2 Worsfold 22,64
Attendance: 461

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,828

It has certainly been a strange week at Longmead. A week ago Bognor Regis Town, the league leaders came calling and were sent on their way with a comprehensive 4-1 beating. On to Tuesday evening, albeit with a side that wasn’t at full strength, Tonbridge struggled to get past a Romford side that sat towards to the lower reaches of Ryman North and only managed that by virtue of a first-ever penalty shoot-out victory. Returning to league action, Staines Town arrive on the back of four straight defeats and bar a spirited last 20 minutes, Tonbridge have not turned up and ended up on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat.

It is a lack of consistency that must drive Steve McKimm mad; it certainly does the humble supporters.

Both sides had an early opportunity, Tonbridge’s a long throw from Luke Blewden was headed on by Nathan Elder to his strike partner Alex Akrofi who steered his header into the goalkeeper’s arms before, albeit after just 15 minutes of the game, there was probably a major turning point when Elder was forced out of the match with a hamstring strain.

Elder is the focal point of Tonbridge’s attack and, whilst he has his detractors, he becomes a better player with every minute that he doesn’t play.

Staines took the lead after 22 minutes of an evenly contested game. A punt forward found the head of James Folkes as George Beavan was set to clear. Folkes’ header was badly judged and the ball skimmed off his head into the path of Max Worsfold who ran clear to side-foot past Anthony Di Bernardo.

Within four minutes, Tom Parkinson saw his header cleared from the line by Wadar Ahmidi, but the visitors tails were up and Di Bernardo made comfortable saves from Ahmidi and Adrian Clifton and a last ditch challenge from Beavan denied Mohamed Bettamer.

Parkinson once more had a goalbound header cleared from the line by Ahmidi and Mitchell Nelson also went close following a cross from Folkes.

Seventeen minutes into the second period saw the visitors double their advantage when a long cross from Sam Barratt was misjudged at the right hand side of the box by Folkes and Worsfold ghosted in behind to bury his header.

A double substitution for the Angels saw Damian Scannell and Luke Allen replace Folkes and Akrofi and Allen’s energy brought an instant impact. A long throw from Blewden was headed clear by Afolabi Coker back to Blewden whose cushioned cross found Allen who scored from six yards.

The home side had the lifeline and seemed intent on grasping it. Allen blasted over and following a poor goal kick from Staines’ Jack Turner direct to Blewden but his cross to Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson saw the goalkeeper smother at his feet.

Blewden’s throws were causing confusion and with seven minutes remaining another one into the box eventually ended with Allen being bundled over and the referee awarding a penalty. In the aftermath, Staines’ captain Tommy Brewer was shown the red card, probably for something he said. Allen stepped up to take the spot kick, but his shot low to Turner’s left was saved.

Turner was to become the Swans’ hero when, in added time, he spectacularly clawed Nick Wheeler’s shot out of the top corner to preserve the points.

Picture: Wes Flitness

Tonbridge 2 Romford 2

Match 62/16/1369 - Tuesday, 6th December 2016 - Ryman League Cup 3R

Tonbridge (2) 2 Fortnam-Tomlinson 44, Nelson 76
Romford (2) 2 Reynolds 10, Akpele 27
Tonbridge won 4-2 on penalties
Attendance: 133

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £0.50
Mileage: 38/4,704

Nobody in the meagre crowd could have foreseen that after a woefully poor first half they would later be witness to a little bit of history, Tonbridge have at last won a penalty shoot-out. The attendance of just 133, the lowest since 2010 when Ramsgate were the visitors in the same competition won the satisfaction of being able to say “I was there …”

Steve McKimm shuffled is pack giving Nathan Elder the night off; resting Nick Wheeler, Tom Phipp and Jack Parter to the bench. Into the side came two Under-18s, Callum Adonis-Taylor and Liam Smith, both of whom performed admirably; Tommy Whitnall and Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson were given value game time following injury alongside Ugo Udoji and Luke Allen who have recently spent time on the bench. Despite it being a much changed line-up there should have been enough quality to beat a Romford side that were languishing in the lower reaches of Ryman North.

The small crowd were unable to raise much of an atmosphere and the Tonbridge players appeared to respond accordingly in a lacklustre performance that reeked of a side that didn’t really want to be out there in a minor competition.

Mitchell Nelson stretched the Romford goalkeeper, Callum Chafer, to turn over a header following a long throw from Udogi. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Allen was robbed in a dangerous area, 30 yards from goal, by Chinedu McKenzie who slipped a pass inside to Nick Reynolds to side foot home from close range.

Even the setback failed to ignite the Angels, Alex Akrofi was brought down in the box but strong claims for a penalty were turned away after 23 minutes.

Romford could hardly believe the ease in which they doubled their advantage after 27 minutes when Will Green laid the ball off for Greg Akpele to cleanly strike from the right hand side of the box.

Liam Smith showed what a fine prospect he is with a surging run to the edge of the box only to be brought down and the free kick was wasted.

One minute remained in the half when Fortnam-Tomlinson fired in a shot from the right of the box that travelled through a ruck of players before nestling in the far corner to give the home side a lifeline.

Tonbridge improved greatly in the second period, frankly there was no way they were going to be any worse, and the overriding impression was that a goal would come sooner rather than later and then the tie would be put to bed. But this perception did Romford poor service as they defended well and Chafer did well on several occasions saving from Akrofi, Nelson and Fortnam-Tomlinson. They might well have wrapped the game up in the 71st minute when they hit a post.

Wheeler was brought on with 15 minutes remaining to try and salvage the game and within a minute he had done just that. His cross from the right was met with a towering header from Nelson; two in two games for the Welling loanee.

Romford refused to give up the cause and Di Bernardo was forced to make a save at his near post before, with three minutes remaining, there was possibly the most unbelievable sequence of near misses I have ever seen. In the space of no more than 20 seconds following a cross into the box that Di Bernardo came but got nowhere near, Romford managed to hit the bar twice and have two more attempts cleared from the line. At that point, you felt that not only was our name on this game, it might also be on the cup.

Thankfully, after extra-time last night, the game when straight to penalties and we all know what happens when Tonbridge are involved. Except, this time was different.

After Parkinson and Akrofi had put their penalties away, Romford’s Chris Taylor had his effort saved low left by Di Bernardo. Luke Allen, a regular penalty taker for the Angels missed the third and James Ishmail levelled things up at 2-2. Nelson sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and Di Bernardo once again plunged to his left to deny Kwarsi Marfo leaving Udoji to calmly slot home his spot kick and become the unlikely hero.

It was a strange evening, when the final penalty was taken and the game won, the usual scenario is that the scorer is engulfed by his team mates. There was none of this, it was almost as if they didn’t realise that they had won the game. 133 people did though, they had witnessed history in the making.

Pictures courtesy of Wesley Flitness

Tonbridge 4 Bognor Regis Town 1

Match 60/16/1367 - Saturday, 3rd December 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (3) 4 Elder 13,79 Akrofi 33, Nelson 39
Bognor Regis Town (0) 1 Fraser 69
Attendance: 447

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,628

In my younger playing days, I wasn’t particularly good and the teams that I played for reflected my ability, therefore I never experienced the buzz that a performance when everything has gone to plan must bring. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of the Tonbridge Angels' dressing room at half-time as Steve McKimm set about the task of scraping his side off the ceiling. He had to send them out for a second half against the division’s leaders with their feet firmly grounded.

For 45 minutes, Tonbridge were truly magnificent. I am not willing to denigrate the display by questioning whether Bognor Regis Town had an off day, as far as I’m concerned they were made to look ordinary.

This was the Tonbridge of early season. Wheeler crosses, Elder scores; Parkinson tidying up behind Phipp, a cavalier in midfield; Parter rampaging from left back; Beavan solid as a rock alongside a new partner, Mitchell Nelson.

It would be grossly unjust to single out a player but I’m convinced that the return of Tom Parkinson was the catalyst for this result.

Tonbridge roared out of the traps stretching the league leaders from the outset. The Nick Wheeler, Nathan Elder combination carved out an opening within the first minute with Elder heading over and after 11 minutes a cross from Luke Blewden found Elder, but his shot, falling backwards, also cleared the bar.

Wheeler was having the time of his life, turning his full back inside out, time and again and after 13 minutes he delivered the perfect cross and Elder’s bullet header did the rest.

Bognor Regis threatened just once in the first half hour, a shot wide right that didn’t threaten Anthony Di Bernardo’s goal.

After 33 minutes, Wheeler’s magic opened up the Rocks defence once more, this time supplying the pass for Alex Akrofi
to ride a couple of challenges before finishing into the bottom corner.

A mazy dribble and shot from Wheeler might have iced the winger’s cake, but his third assist was soon to arrive when his cross, this time from the right, found the head of debutant Nelson who rose to bury his header between Dan Lincoln and his near post.

With, surely, a rocket up their backsides, Bognor made a better fist of the second period without unduly threatening Di Bernardo’s goal for the opening 25 minutes of the half.

A Tom Phipp shot inadvertently fell at the feet of Elder a minute into the second half, but the striker could not get the ball out from under his feet. Akrofi and Phipp had shots that were comfortably dealt with by Lincoln.

Parkinson’s return ended after nearly 70 minutes to be replaced by Luke Allen, but it is mere coincidence that a superb strike from James Fraser from 25 yards gave the Rocks some hope of recovery a minute later.

The goal set up a few nervous moments but these were put to bed with 11 minutes remaining when the old one-two, Wheeler cross, Elder header added a fourth goal.

James Crane hit a post for the visitors and Jimmy Wild brought a save out of Di Bernardo at this near post whilst Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson might have made it a nap hand for the Angels.

This was the Tonbridge we love; even the moaning minnies of recent weeks must have gone home happy.

Pictures courtesy of Wesley Filtness

Tonbridge 2 Merstham 2

Match 56/16/1363 - Tuesday, 22nd November 2016 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 2 Akrofi 21, Phipp 38
Merstham (0) 2 Hector 54, Azeez 90
Attendance: 303

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,374

In an effort to get this blog up-to-date, the following is a cut-and-paste from the Tonbridge Angels official site:

This was the classic 'game of two halves'. Tonbridge dominated the first period but Merstham fought back valiantly to obtain a share of the points in what must have seemed almost like a defeat to the home side given the lateness of the equalising goal.

Angels boss Steve McKimm went with the same starting eleven that took to the field at Needham Market and came back with a 2-0 win. That meant no place for Luke Allen or new loan signing Nelson Mitchell who both had to be content with a seat on the bench.

His selection seemed completely justified as right from the start Tonbridge took the game to their visitors with a brand of pressing play that saw them dominate proceedings throughout the first half. Chances fell to Nathan Elder, Nick Wheeler and Tom Phipp but it was Alex Akrofi making his home debut who struck first for the Angels in the 21st minute. Phipp's free kick was directed wide to Wheeler whose perfect cross was met by Akrofi at the near post.

On 34 minutes Elder was through on goal after a misjudgement of the flight of the ball by a Merstham defender, but his volley was wide of Phil Wilson's right hand post. Tonbridge however did go further ahead four minutes later when Tom Phipp's header was directed into his own goal by Mersham's skipper Tom Kavanagh.

If the first half had belonged to Tonbridge then the second half saw a significant improvement in the visitors play. They managed to keep possession in more advanced areas and were starting to put some pressure on the Tonbridge defence. That said the visitors first goal did come as something of a surprise. There seemed to be relatively little danger to the Tonbridge goal when Dan Hector took up possession 25 yds out. His shot however was fierce and accurate and Anthony Di Bernardo was never going to get anywhere near it.

The goal encouraged Merstham who now had belief that they could get something out of the game. There were some chances for the hosts namely Elder on 71 minutes James Folkes four minutes later and Luke Blewden a further four minutes after that. However, around the 75 minute mark the Moatsiders started to impose themselves on the game and there was a sense that the Angels were going to have to work very hard to maintain their lead.

It seemed they might just about get over the finishing line but in the 90th minute Merstham grabbed their deserved equaliser. It was hardly goal of the season but after keeping their possession alive in the Tonbridge area and pulling the home defence in different directions substitute Lanre Azeez managed to get the final say as his scuffed shot skidded across the wet turf and into the net with Di Bernardo possibly unsighted.

In stoppage time the Angels had three successive corners but Merstham were in no mood to concede having fought so valiantly to get something out of the game.

Afterwards, Mckimm said: "We lost some impetus when Alex went off, but with three central midfield players our ball retention should have been better. That said we've had chances and if one of those had gone in its probably game over. But they didn't and credit Merstham they've come back and got something from the game. Supporters will be disappointed but we haven't lost and players are all the time coming back into contention for a place with some big games coming up."

Pictures courtesy of Wes Filtness

Tonbridge 1 Kingstonian 2

Match 53/16/1360 - Tuesday, 15th November 2016 - FA Trophy 2QR Replay

Tonbridge (0) 1 Elder 54
Kingstonian (0) 2 Pico-Gomez 66, Turner 74
Attendance: 286

Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,071

Match Report

The groundhopper in me got just a little excited about a trip to Evo-Stick Southern League North Leigh (evidently pronounced Nor'lye by the locals), but apart from a 15 minutes spell, the Oxfordshire club seemed as far away as Wembley itself.

The clubs were meeting for a third time in 10 days and Kingstonian, as was said in conversation following the game, "each time, have done a job on us."

Kingstonian are a decent side without being particularly eye-catching, but they do the basics well. At the back, in the shape of Bruce Hogg and Alan Inns, they have a strong, consistent central defence that just heads or whacks the ball to safety and should that rearguard be breached, there is probably the best goalkeeper in the league, Rob Tolfrey. Spearheading the attack is Ryan Moss, a recognised goalscorer whilst on the flanks, Youssef Bamba and Joe Turner actually do catch the eye. The K's had a poor start to the season but are now hitting the straps and, personally, I would be surprised if they are not in the mix come April.

I have the benefit of writing this knowing the content of Steve McKimm's post-match interview which was as forthright as any in his time at the club. In the past, when he has criticised he has rarely named players, on this occasion he held back very little, some of which I felt might be better left in the dressing room.

The first half had all the hallmarks of a game in which the two sides knew each well as chances were few and far between. Tonbridge started slightly the brighter with Damian Scannell and Luke Blewden having shots blocked before Bamba announced his presence with at shot that was well saved by Anthony Di Bernardo at his near post.

After 27 minutes, Di Bernardo made a fine save from Turner, but still needed a goal-line clearance from James Folkes to retain parity.

Tonbridge's best effort of the half came with five minutes remaining when a Nick Wheeler cross somehow evaded the head of Nathan Elder.

The aforementioned 15 minute spell came at the beginning of the second half. The Luke's, Allen and Blewden, combined well to force a low save from Tolfrey and a corner from the left resulted in Sonny Miles heading wide. After 54 minutes, the Angels got their noses in front when Wheeler crossed from the left for Elder to direct a downward header inside the right hand post.

Further chances came when Allen just failed to get a touch to convert in front of goal and Wheeler curled a shot over the angle of right hand post and bar.

Perhaps it is synonymous with this season that an injury turned the game in favour of the visitors. Where previously it could be said that there was very little, the moment George Beavan left the field, the momentum changed hands, coincidence, maybe, but I don't think so.

Within five minutes Kingstonian were level. McKimm picked out Di Bernardo's short throw out to Scannell was the root of the goal. Yes, but a lot of football was played after. After Scannell lost possession, Di Bernardo actually made a good save low to his left following a shot from Turner. From the resultant corner, Tonbridge had several attempts to clear their lines without achieving it before a long cross into the box was headed on by Moss into the path of Pelayo Pico-Gomez, who hooked it into the net from six yards.

Eight minutes later the visitors were in front. A shot from Luke Blewden from the right side of the box was blocked, the clearance falling to Turner, fully 70 yards from goal. Blewden gave chase, and perhaps as McKimm bemoaned later, should have brought him down and taken a booking, but Turner raced on, ghosted past Jerrome Sobers as if he wasn't there and shot from the edge of the box past Di Bernardo. It was a quality goal, avoidable yes, but some run, some finish.

Tonbridge huffed and puffed for an equaliser without really looking like getting it with a final minute clearance from the line by Sobers and a disallowed Kingstonian goal keeping the game alive to the finish.

So North Leigh will have to wait for another day and so will Wembley.

Tonbridge 0 Bromley 1

Match 51/16/1358 - Tuesday, 8th November 2016 - Kent Senior Cup 2R

Tonbridge (0) 0
Bromley (1) 1 Sho-Silva 41
Attendance: 190

Entrance: £4 Senior
Programme: £0.50
Mileage: 38/3,975

Match Report

They don't come around very often, but just occasionally there is a game where valid reasons can be made that it is a good one to lose and this was one of them. Nobody was going to shout it from the rooftops, everybody tries to make positive noises, but with injuries, suspensions and a two-game a week schedule until well into the New Year, this competition was expendable.

It was a shame that the opponents, Bromley, came from the National League and, following a blank weekend, turned up with a very strong side. If the visitors had come from Ryman South, for instance, our young side proved on the night that they would be good enough to progress another round.

So, whilst Bromley fielded eight players with National League experience, Tonbridge started with four players from either the Reserves or Youth team and ended with seven such like on the pitch.

The Tonbridge supporters leaving Longmead after the match would, at least should, have been encouraged by the performance of this young team, whilst admitting that if Bromley had been a touch sharper in front of goal then the margin of defeat might have been a lot heavier.

The first chance of the evening fell to the hosts after seven minutes when a cross from Tommy Whitnell found the head of the returning Nathan Elder, but the striker steered his header into the welcoming arms of Alan Julian.

Anthony Di Bernardo was called into action after 13 minutes with an excellent save, low right, from Tobi Sho-Silva.

Damian Scannell brought an equally fine save from Julian after 18 minutes with the keeper pushing the shot, that took a deflection, away from the top corner.

Bromley asserted their control of the game in the second quarter, but shot after shot missed the target, until they finally took the lead with four minutes remaining of the half. The right back, Daniel Johnson, on the overlap fired in a shot from the edge of the box that was parried by Di Bernardo into the path of Sho-Silva who tucked it in from eight yards.

Tonbridge's young striker, Tashi-Jay Kwayie was involved three times in the opening eight minutes of the second half. First, a good run and cross from Jack Parter, begged a touch from Kwayie but he was narrowly short of making it; then a fine run and cross saw Elder's header go wide before a run and shot that narrowly went wide right.

The home side got younger and younger as Callum Adonis-Taylor, Richard Frimpong and Corey Watts were introduced.

Bromley saw the game out on the front foot, but a mixture of decent defending from the hosts and poor finishing left the scoreline unaltered.