Tonbridge Angels 2 Eastbourne Borough 0

Match 133/21/1997 - Monday, 2nd May 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Beere 49 Elliott (o.g.) 50
Eastbourne Borough (0) 0
Attendance: 1,238
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/7,822

“We are staying up, we are staying up” rang out of the South Stand as two second half goals within a minute confirmed the Angels’ National League South status for another season.

Steve McKimm made two changes from the side that lost at Bath City on Saturday. Jerry O’Sullivan returned at full back which allowed Tom Beere to resume his midfield position whilst Ibrahim Olutade was selected up top with Ricky Modeste and Adam Coombes taking their places on the bench.

The first half was a nervy, cagey affair with very few chances being created by either side. An early raid down the left saw Craig Braham-Barrett fire into the side netting and a good shot from distance by Tom Parkinson tested ex-Angels goalkeeper, Lee Worgan, for the first time after 16 minutes.

But the best chance of the half fell to Eastbourne Borough when a right-sided corner saw Chris Whelpdale make a late run into the area to meet the cross with a firm header that was cleared from the line by O’Sullivan.

After such a quiet opening 45 minutes, nobody in the attendance of 1,238 was quite ready for the opening five minutes of the second half.

After 49 minutes, following good work initially from Braham-Barrett, Olutade wriggled his way to the bye-line from where he pulled back a short pass to the near post for Tom Beere to tuck home.

Within a minute, Tonbridge had their league safety completely in their grasp as Joe Turner drove into the right side of the box to fizz a low cross from which Jake Elliott turned the ball into his own net under severe pressure from Olutade.

The Angels were now rampant and were close to a third goal on 57 minutes when a short corner routine saw Smith-Joseph cross for Parkinson to head narrowly over.

A fine solo effort from Olutade ended with his curling shot drifting narrowly wide before substitute Charlie Walker forced Jonny Henly into his own real save of the half.

The game was seen out in relative comfort leaving supporters with the unusual celebration of spades in hand, digging up the pitch!

A delighted but reflective Steve McKimm commented after the game: “We’ve crossed the line and I’m pleased with that. But I cannot be shouting from the rooftops because we haven’t hit the heights I’ve wanted to.”

The fans will shout for you Steve, “We are staying up, say we are staying up!”

Tonbridge Angels 0 Ebbsfleet United 1

Match 129/21/1993 - Saturday, 23rd April 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Ebbsfleet United (1) 1 Coulthirst 6
Attendance: 1,129
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/7,414

Tonbridge Angels continued presence in National League South is all but assured as Billericay’s defeat at home to Bath leaves them nine points behind with three games remaining an with an inferior goal difference of 16. So it is going to take a catastrophic run of results for the Angels to be relegated but this game was a clear indication of the chasm that exists between those at top of the table and those (not just Tonbridge) at the foot.

It is to Tonbridge’s credit that they remained in the game till the end and, unluckily, a tight offside decision went against them in time added, but in truth, Ebbsfleet should have put the game to bed a long time before the Angels’ late rally as they wasted a series of gilt edged chances in the second half.

Such is the lot of a club volunteer that my stint on the turnstiles saw Ebbsfleet score what turned out to be the only goal of the game whilst I continued to take admission money from late arrivals. So my description is a straight lift from Ebbsfleet’s Twitter: “Paxman weaves his way through the Tonbridge defence and offloads the ball to Coulthirst and he fires low and hard into the corner.”

From the time that I took my place on the rails, Tonbridge actually had more than a decent share of the game against their lofty, full-time opposition and had a great opportunity to level the game after 22 minutes when clever work from Ricky Modeste saw him volley a shot that was blocked with the follow-up parried by the goalkeeper, Louie Moulden for what became a series of corners that ultimately brought no reward.

The second half opened with the first chance falling to Ebbsfleet’s Dominic Poleon who saw his effort well saved by Jonny Henly at his near post.

Tonbridge were nearly gifted an equaliser on 51 minutes when Moulden sliced a clearance which Joe Turner collected and set up Aaron Smith-Joseph for a shot but the goalkeeper redeemed himself with a save.

Ebbsfleet were starting to open up the Angels back line a bit too regularly and Henly was needed to save from both Rakish Bingham and Coulthirst and further chances for Chapman, Paxman and Romain who failed to find the target.

After making all their substitutions, Tonbridge went down to 10 men when substitute Teddy Perkins couldn’t continue following an injury. But with the man disadvantage, Tonbridge had to throw caution to the wind and in the last minute of the 90, momentarily we thought an unlikely point and absolute safety had been won. A corner from the right was punched away by Moulden but the ball was returned into the box and Ibrahim Olutade made a run to meet the ball at the near post but his celebration was cut short by the linesman’s raised flag. It was tight, very tight.

In time added, Sonny Miles stayed up front and for the final two corners of the game Henly came forward but the visitors held firm for three vital points towards their goal on direct entry to the semi-finals of the play-offs with home advantage.

For Tonbridge, next Saturday at Bath, hopefully we can celebrate as well. Maybe we will need a helping hand with both Billericay and Welling needing to win their respective games at Eastbourne and Hungerford.

Photos: Kathryn Bell

Tonbridge Angels 0 Slough Town 1

Match 125/21/1989 - Friday, 15th April 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Slough Town (0) 1 Tenconi 48
Attendance: 956
Admission: Season ticket
Programme: £3 Not purchased
Mileage: 38/7,239

Football is not a perfect science, random events within a game can produce an unlikely result and sometimes you don’t get what you deserve, but when you see 90 minutes that goes totally against the grain of what you expect from your club, it left be baffled.

Probably, safety is just one win away and possibly, 38 points is enough but this game in the context of the remaining fixture list was seen as the big opportunity to put all the ifs, buts and maybes to bed but a performance that nobody saw coming left Tonbridge with work still to do.

Slough Town arrived in that middle of the table position that allows a certain relaxation that can go either way in terms of performance but, in truth, they didn’t need to be very good.

For the first time this year the temperature climbed above 20degC, supporters basked in the sunshine with a beer in hand, and for the entire first half they would have been better served remaining at the outside tables with a further pint. Slough won a series of corners and Jonny Henly was forced into a decent save from Lee Togwell after 18 minutes and that was that.

Injuries to Craig Braham-Barrett and Tommy Wood saw the introduction of Doug Loft and Aaron Smith-Joseph for the start of the second period and things quickly got worse for the Angels as Slough opened the scoring within three minutes of the restart. Central defender Joe Dandy skipped the challenges, such as they was, of four Tonbridge defenders before pulling the ball back from the byeline for Alfonso Tenconi to fire in a crisp strike at the near post.

A response from the Angels was required, but none came and Slough controlled the game with ease, to the point when, after 67 minutes, the visiting management were so comfortable they felt able to withdraw the best player on the pitch Aaron Kuhl.

Two attempts from Joe Turner that were comfortably saved by Jonathan North was all that the half, or rather the afternoon, had to offer for the healthy attendance of 954 apart from the cheerful contingent from Slough.

Results elsewhere, apart from a stunning comeback from Welling to earn a draw at Eastbourne, meant that no serious damage was done, but as Sonny Miles later related: “If we play like that for the rest of the season, we won’t get another point.”

Photo: Kathryn Bell

Tonbridge Angels 1 Welling United 0

Match 119/21/1983 - Saturday, 2nd April 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Wood 14
Welling United (0) 0
Attendance: 1,027
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/6,851

This was no classic, even as a supporter of the winning team I wasn’t blind to the fact that it had been a terrible watch, but in a relegation scrap, what else could have been expected?

With a recent change of manager and a huge influx of new players, Welling had the look of a bunch of strangers and with a run-in that looks horrendous, they need to get to know each other and very quickly if they are to avoid the drop.

From a Tonbridge point of view, it wasn’t pretty but it was job well done and that is all that matters right now. The announcement this week that the laying of a 3G pitch is going ahead in the summer makes retention of their National League South status absolutely imperative.

Two nervous sides completed the opening 10 minutes with neither side wanting to make the first error. A ninth minute through ball from Tom Beere saw Welling goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clark advance beyond his area to clear, but four minutes later it was an error from the Wings keeper that gifted the Angels their opening goal. Tommy Wood moved the ball on from a long clearance into the path of Joe Turner whose low shot squirmed from the keeper’s grasp onto a post where Wood was on hand to touch home the rebound.

Welling forced a succession of corners through the half but Tonbridge defended them without too much alarm.

Just prior to the break, the ball fell kindly on the edge of the box to Tonbridge’s Beere but his shot was high and not too handsome.

The second period saw the Angels with a far greater share of possession and the better of the chances. Turner saw his 46th effort well saved by Boyce-Clark and a 58th minute corner saw Perkins' header safely into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Welling’s best chance of the game came on 66 minutes when Dipo Akinyemi’s cross begged a touch but eluded Harvey Bradbury.

Good combination work from Wood and Coombes saw the latter’s shot deflected away for a corner and when Wood broke clear with 10 minutes remaining, Boyce-Clark blocked the first effort and also the follow-up attempt from Coombes.

Tonbridge saw the game out with little alarm to accrue the three vital points that seems them now six points clear of their visitors, which gives breathing space, but that is all it is.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Chippenham Town 0

Match 109/21/1973 - Saturday, 19th March 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Wood 11 Coombes 58
Chippenham Town (0) 0
Attendance: 700
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/6,333

There wasn’t a Tonbridge supporter among the 700 attendance that was not aware of the importance of these three points deservedly won against play-off chasing Chippenham Town. But for those that hadn’t been busily checking their phones for 90 minutes the realisation that Billericay, Welling and Bath had also won gave an even greater sense of relief.

Steve McKimm restored Tommy Wood to the starting line-up, pairing him upfront from the outset with Adam Coombes for the first time and Jamie Fielding came back into the side with Jerry O’Sullivan taking his place on the bench.

A third minute warning was posted to the visitors when they conceded a free kick, to which they played a very high line and pushed forward looking for an offside. This particular set piece was cleared but the flaw in their plan was identified and when, in the 11th minute, another free kick was awarded, Wood made a run from deep whilst the Chippenham defence stood statuesque looking for the offside decision. In an acre of space, the Tonbridge striker took down the lofted free kick from Tom Beere and belted it past the exposed goalkeeper, Will Henry.

A six minute delay in play ensued after 16 minutes with Chippenham’s Callum Gunner requiring a stretcher for what looked a quite serious injury.

Tonbridge were the dominant side and Coombes headed over and a Joe Turner shot cleared the bar before the visitors were very nearly undone again by their offside trap plan as Wood got clear but this time the flag did come to their rescue, albeit that it was a very tight decision.

After 35 minutes, from a Beere corner, Sonny Miles saw his header plucked out of the air by Henry and in, time added, Chippenham substitute Oluwasegun Lawal broke clear but the home defence was quick to snuff out the threat.

There were half chances for both sides in the early part of the second period before the Angels doubled their advantage after 58 minutes. A perfectly flighted free kick from Beere from 35 yards out found the diving header of Coombes to direct into the bottom corner. A goal each for both strikers, a very sweet affirmation of McKimm’s decision to play them together for the first time.

Certainly, there was indecision from the visiting defence each time the ball was delivered and another Beere cross saw a desperate save from Henry followed a scramble in front of goal.

The game drifted almost without incident to its conclusion, for which the Tonbridge support would have been grateful, with Chippenham showing very little of the threat that put four goals past Dartford last Saturday.

Three welcome points that maintains that little bit of breathing space.

Pictures: Wes Filtness

<

Tonbridge Angels 0 Braintree Town 0

Match 105/21/1969 - Saturday, 12th March 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Braintree Town (0) 0
Attendance: 765
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/6,019

The afternoon began with a respectfully moving show of solidarity towards the people of war-torn Ukraine, holding aloft Ukrainian flags as a minute’s silence was observed. Nobody wanted that to be the highlight of the afternoon but sadly that’s the way it turned out as probably the worst game of football I’ve watched this season unfolded.

Taking the positives, it is one more point towards safety; Joe Tupper came away from his one game cover for the suspended Jonny Henly with a couple of good saves and a clean sheet in the bank and people continue to flock to Longmead in numbers, I hope any new attendees were not out of by this lack of a spectacle.

A few weeks ago, this game was being highlighted as a “must win” as Braintree languished at the foot of the table. But their run of form has seen the climb into relatively safe waters above Tonbridge in the league.

What can I report on the game, very, very little I have to say. Both sides huffed and puffed with a lack of quality that frustrated everybody. One felt they could have played for the proverbial month of Sundays and not found the net legitimately.

I use the word legitimately as the closest either team came to scoring was in the 46th minute when a cross into the box was met by Tom Beere whose header came down from the underside of the bar to be eventually tucked home by the same player only to be ruled out for offside.

First half chances were at a bare minimum with neither goalkeeper being troubled, in fact their gloves would have been as clean as they were as the teams walked from the dressing rooms.

After the initial excitement of the second half near miss for Tonbridge, the game reverted to the pattern of the first. There was a moderately brisk breeze and trying to be kind, could this have been a reason for the number of crosses from both sides that just sailed beyond the width of the sticks and that’s only the crosses that made it past the first man.

It was tedious watching, but as the game dragged on, the feeling was just get something out of this, one point is better than nothing.

Tupper had his moments including a good save from Kyran Clements with his feet and there was a comical moment towards the end when Braintree’s Stefan Ilic completely missed his kick, losing his balance in the process and ending in a heap on the ground, it really summed up the afternoon.

The only worthwhile analysis is, file it, forget it and move on to Concord Rangers on Tuesday evening for another important game.

Pictures: Adrian Love, Kathryn Bell and Wes Filtness

Tonbridge Angels 1 Maidstone United 0

Match 97/21/1961 - Tuesday, 15th February 2022 - Kent Senior Cup 2R

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1Coombes 45
Maidstone United (0) 0
Attendance: 579

Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/5,317

As a historian of Tonbridge Angels and old enough to remember when the Kent Senior Cup was a big deal and, fading memory it might be, when we last won the trophy back in 1975 when John Keirs and George Putman wrote their names into history as tonight’s visitors, Maidstone United, were beaten on their own patch at London Road.

Since that day, just two Final appearances, 15 years ago brought a defeat against Bromley and nine years ago, a particularly embarrassing defeat against Charlton Athletic, who were represented by a second, perhaps even third string squad.

The competition is, sadly, no more than a vehicle for giving fringe players and youngsters game time and this second round tie saw the Angels give first team debuts to Academy skipper Joe Tyrie, Luca Woodhouse and Toby McKimm with Ben Hermitage coming off the bench after just a quarter of an hour and Tom Green getting the last 15 minutes whilst Maidstone United did similarly.

Steve McKimm’s reshuffle also saw Tom Beere take a role at left back.

For the Kent Senior Cup, an impressive attendance of 579 with a healthy, boisterous following from the county town took their places on a damp evening following a day that had brought a lot of rain but the pitch presented no problems that would necessitate a pitch inspection.

The game didn’t exactly start on a high for the Angels with Ibrahim Olutade on the end of a heavy challenge and needing treatment after just three minutes, he returned to the action but after a quarter of an hour he needed to be substituted by Ben Hermitage.

Sadly for the youngster his first challenge saw him booked within about 30 seconds of coming on. Personally, I thought a ticking off would suffice but referee Kirsty Dowle deemed otherwise. But credit to the youngster, he never let the caution affect him.

After 25 minutes, Aaron Smith-Joseph rattled the Maidstone crossbar with a cross-cum-shot and moments later Hermitage brought a save out of the young Maidstone goalkeeper, Harley Earle.

At the other end, Toby McKimm was brought into the action making a double save, first to deny Bivesh Gurung with his feet and then to comfortably save from Jimiel Chikukwa.

Tonbridge were under some pressure at this stage and Jerry O’Sullivan was needed to clear as a cross sailed over the head of the goalkeeper.

But the Angels rode out that little storm and started to make chances of their own again with Woodhouse seeing a shot blocked and Earle dealing with efforts from Adam Coombes, Adam Lovatt and Doug Loft and they were deserving of their lead, right on the break, when Hermitage crossed to the far post for Coombes to score with a stooping header.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart, Gurung received a yellow card when he brought down Hermitage as he broke clear.

Coombes just failed to get on the end of a Smith-Joseph cross and both tested Earle a few minutes later but the Maidstone keeper was equal to the test.

Meanwhile, McKimm was also proving equal to the sporadic attacks of the visitors.

Hermitage sensed a moment of glory with 15 minutes remaining but his shot was sliced and drifted wide and minutes later his shot was well saved by Earle, who also excelled to deny James Taylor.

Tom Green entered the fray and was immediately offered a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box but it was blocked.

The vastly experienced George Elokobi was booked for an ugly lunge on Hermitage, who by now was looking to be having the time of his life!

Time added came and went. It was only the Kent Senior Cup, but any win against Maidstone is to be celebrated and a proud day for the Academy was more than enough reason for further celebration.

Photo: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels 1 Bromley 1

Match 96/21/1960 - Saturday, 12th February 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1Turner 89
Bromley (0) 1 Francis 80
Bromley win 3-2 on penalties
Attendance: 2,061

Admission: £12 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,279

I’m an emotional old fool and there was a tear in my eye at the final whistle. Initially it was bitter disappointment but that tear quickly turned into one of absolute pride. I’m so proud of my club today, Tonbridge Angels went toe-to-toe with a Conference club, and I don’t care how many changes they made, they are all full-time professionals and for the most part we were the better side. Even Bromley’s respectful manager, Andy Woodman, admitted that in his post-match interview. Three conference clubs have been played in this run and we haven’t lost to any of them. And off the pitch, we have had 2,000 people inside the ground for only the fourth time in over 40 years and we’ve handled it, yes some of the queues were long but there was 2,000 people there, all wanting to be fed and watered at the same time, where there’s crowds there are queues!

Right from the one o’clock opening of the gates, it felt special. There was a buzz about the place that told you, if you didn’t know already, this was history in the making. Never before had Tonbridge Angels made it to the last 16 of the FA Trophy and in our dreams Wembley beckoned.

Bromley’s team selection offered hope as leading goalscorer, Michael Cheek was rested to the bench whilst Steve McKimm had Tommy Wood available again and he took the place of Adam Coombes, who was cup-tied.

The first half was a cagey affair with very few opportunities for either side but the home side showed that they were capable of causing an upset against a Bromley side sitting in the play-off places for a place in the Football League.

An early half-chance fell the Angels way as Joe Turner rounded the visiting goalkeeper, Ellery Balcombe but from a tight angle his effort on goal was blocked by Kellen Fisher, a very young looking player who went on to have a very composed game.

Bromley’s first chance came after 25 minutes when the, robust shall we say, James Alabi put a shot over the bar following a cross from Corey Whitely.

Tom Beere saw an effort clear the bar just before the break in a first half that Bromley had possibly the better of the chances but on the whole, Tonbridge had contained their National League visitors comfortably.

Tonbridge opened the second period on the front foot with Beere firing over and, on 53 minutes, Turner was only narrowly high with a shot from the edge of the box.

Just prior to the hour mark and Tonbridge cheers got stuck in their throats as a brilliant cross from Wood saw Turner sliding in at the far post but the ball evaded him by what was probably millimetres.

On 63 minutes, there was another golden opportunity for the Angels as three efforts on goal were blocked by diving Bromley defenders before the final chance was smothered by Balcombe.

But, the game was to turn against the home side on 72 minutes when Harry Hudson and Bromley’s Jude Arthurs fell to the ground following a challenge for which the substitute referee had given a free kick to Tonbridge. But, whilst on the ground, Hudson kicked out and was given his marching orders.

Ten minutes remained when, from their first bit of real quality in the game, Bromley made their man advantage count as a well worked goal beginning with good link-up play down the left before Luke Coulson crossed in for Palace Francis to score.

But the never-say-die spirit of this Angels squad, despite their numerical disadvantage, threw everything forward in search of the equaliser that would take the tie immediately to penalties.

Another forward in Ibrahim Olutade was thrown on to bolster the attack and in the last minute of regulation time, a Beere corner from the left was dropped by Balcombe at the feet of the substitute who poked it forward for Turner to finish from close range.

Six minutes of added time, amazingly, saw Bromley desperately holding on as Turner saw his shot go agonisingly wide and a sliced clearance from Chris Bush cleared his own crossbar.

And so to penalties, and despite the famous win in the last round via that route against King’s Lynn, Tonbridge Angels and penalties, well we all know what happens next. Three missed spot kicks meant Bromley only needed to take four of their five to progress 3-2.

It had been a special afternoon, and we wish Bromley, as the only Kent club remaining in the competition, the best of luck in further rounds. In truth, both clubs probably have bigger fish to fry as Tonbridge battle to retain their National South status and Bromley search for EFL football. One can only hope that many of the 2,061 attendance have enjoyed what they have seen and will return to cheer the Angels to safety.

Picture: Colin Hill

Tonbridge Angels 2 Dartford 3

Match 89/21/1953 - Saturday, 29th January 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Wood 53 Olutade 90+4
Dartford (2) 3 Leonard 13,20 Jebb 86
Attendance: 1,205

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,883

Give yourself a mountain to climb and sometimes even the most experienced of climbers fail to reach the summit.

A poor first half display left Tonbridge with the proverbial mountain and despite a much improved second period that it could be argued deserved some reward, they just fell short.

Steve McKimm welcomed back Luke Jenkins to the starting eleven with Sonny Miles unavailable on what would have been his 377th start for the club, this eclipsing the total of Danny Tingley. Up front, Adam Coombes formed a two man strike force with loanee James Taylor dropping to the bench.

Three minutes after the start, Dartford’s Danny Leonard went down to receive treatment, nothing much significant in this except it set the tone for the afternoon as the female physio from the visitors spent as much time on the pitch as some of the players.

Dartford dominated, or should I say were allowed to dominate the first half as it seemed the Angels paid them too much respect and missed Miles’ authority and voice at the back.

Dartford took the lead after 13 minutes when a straightforward channel ball down the right from Keiran Murtagh found Leonard who cut in and fired home a shot into the far corner.

On 20 minutes, Dartford doubled their lead and it looked like a very long afternoon was on the cards for Tonbridge and, once again, it was all too easy. The goalkeeper’s punt downfield was won by Ade Azeez, a pass this time found Leonard clear in the left channel to round Jonny Henly and finish to the delight of the big Dartford following in the large crowd of 1,205.

Whilst the Angels front two fed off scraps, Dartford could have added to their total with a couple more chances but the game deteriorated as play was continually stopped by a whistle happy referee and the regular appearance of the female physio.

McKimm needed to change something at the break and injected some pace into his side with the introduction of Aaron Smith-Joseph and James Taylor and, in truth, it worked. The big, but slow Dartford back line became a little more stretched and less comfortable.

It took just one minute of the second period for the Dartford physio to make a further appearance, if she was on TV she would be challenging Alex Scott for screen time!

The Angels were right back in the game on 53 minutes when Tommy Wood scored. Pace down the left stretched the Darts and when Joe Turner fed the ball to Wood, he was the man over on the right and finished well into the bottom corner.

The Angels gained the ascendancy and Dartford were really holding on but attempts from Turner and Taylor were just comfortable saves for Dan Wilks and it took a brilliant save at the other end from Henly to deny Azeez.

Ibrahim Olutade came on for Adam Coombes with 20 minutes to go and within a couple he had a clear chance but his shot didn’t carry any venom and Wilks saved easily.

The game was put to bed in the space of 10 minutes, six of which were spent, yet again, with the Dartford physio going about her duties as ward sister. But, whilst in defeat, there is no hiding place behind the referee, but Paul Johnson was integral in those moments. He might well have got the decision right but it was the handling of those situations that didn’t feel right.

On 76 minutes, Wood was brought down in the Dartford penalty area but appeals for a penalty were waved away. Then, on the 80th minute, at the other Dartford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box following a coming together of Craig Braham-Barrett, who was absurdly booked, and Leonard. The long stoppage got even more confusing as Dartford took the opportunity of making substitutions. The referee then gave Jack Jebb a very generous 10 yards to ball and the Dartford midfielder has the ability to take full advantage and he did with a beautifully placed shot into the top corner.

Tonbridge’s second half fighting spirit saw Olutade bring the score back to 3-2 with a glancing header from a Tom Beere free kick and another chance that was cleared from the line and, lo and behold, there was still time for another appearance from the Dartford physio, what a shift that young lady had put in!

Spirited, but ultimately you cannot give top six teams a two goal start and expect a result, in fact you cannot do that with any National League South side.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Hemel Hempstead Town 1

Match 87/21/1951 - Saturday, 22nd January 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Turner 8
Hemel Hempstead Town (1) 1 Hughes 25
Attendance: 853

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,643

When is a draw at home a good draw; when is it a point gained rather than two points lost? Unless your team is stuck in the middle of the table at a point of the season when the result is virtually meaningless it is a debate that is widely debated, up and down the country, every Saturday. It was a debate following the sharing of the points with Hemel Hempstead Town, personally I thought Tonbridge just about deserved their point, whilst my friends both thought that it would be Hemel that were going home feeling that it was two points lost and the Angels’ goalkeeper, Jonny Henly, being made Man of the Match, adds weight to their argument.

Tonbridge fielded an unchanged team from their midweek victory at Chippenham with the unexpected, but very welcome, news that Adam Lovatt was extending his term at Longmead until the end of the season.

Hemel Hempstead have recovered from a poor start to the season when they could not buy a point that culminated with a change of manager. Since Mark Jones has taken over that have pulled themselves clear of danger with an accumulation of points away from home but very few back at Vauxhall Road where last Saturday they won for the very first time this season.

A surprisingly large crowd of 853 didn’t witness a classic, one of those games when searching for a kind word you would come up with absorbing.

Hemel showed the confidence gained on their travels, starting the better, but it was the home side that took the lead after eight minutes. An innocuous looking cross into the box from Craig Braham-Barrett brought a horrible miskick from Jack Westbrook that gave Joe Turner a tap in a the far post.

The goal did nothing to knock the visitors out of their stride and Henly was brought into action with a parrying save from Charlee Hughes with the follow-up effort from Alfie Cerulli being blazed over.

Hemel’s equaliser on 25 minutes subsequently came as no surprise. A through ball from Alfie Williams found Hughes whose shot took a wicked deflection that wrong-footed Henly.

The visitors went on to dominate the half but without causing major concern to the Tonbridge goal.

An earlier foul on Luke Jenkins that brought a caution for Hemel’s Hughes brought a half-time substitution of the youngster with Tommy Parkinson returning to the action after missing a couple of games through injury.

The Angels came out of the break and took the game to their hosts. Harry Hudson had an effort that was deflected away for a corner and Braham-Barrett made a similar foray on the hour mark but his shot cleared the bar.

Henly was exercised when a shot from Gus Scott-Morriss brought a fine save and as the game entered into the last quarter hour it became stretched and Henly saved well again from Hughes.

Henly confirmed his man of the match status with another fine save this time from substitute Chris Paul to secure a valuable point for Tonbridge.

It was a point with added value as defeat for Welling meant that Tonbridge climbed a place in the table.

Tonbridge Angels 1 King's Lynn Town 1

Match 83/21/1947 - Saturday, 15th January 2022 - FA Trophy 4R

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wood 83
King's Lynn Town (0) 1 Barratt 75
Tonbridge Angels win on penalties 4-3
Attendance: 835

Admission: £12 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,429

History was made when Tonbridge Angels reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy for the first time when 19-year-old Luke Jenkins slotted home his spot kick to win the shoot out 4-3.

The game was taken to the dreaded spot kicks after Tommy Wood had equalised in the 83rd minute after the visitors, King’s Lynn Town had taken a 75th minute lead with a curling free kick from the edge of the box from Joshua Barrett.

Steve McKimm brought Wood into the starting line-up for the cup-tied Adam Coombes and Tom Beere replaced the suspended Doug Loft. New signing from Crystal Palace, James Taylor, came in for the injured Tommy Parkinson.

The first half brought very few chances with the visitors perhaps having the greater share of the possession but the Angels, finished the half the stronger, having the clearer of what were very much half-chances.

Tonbridge were on the front foot from the outset of the first half and almost went in front on 51 minutes when Wood’s cross from met by Joe Turner who shot hit the post before the ball was scrambled to safety.

The National League side took an undeserved lead after 75 minutes when a foul on the edge of the box allowed Barrett to curl a shot from 20 yards beyond the reach of Jonny Henly and into the net.

The lead was to last eight minutes as substitute Aaron Smith-Joseph managed to get in a cross from the left under pressure that was met at the far post with a header from Wood that goalkeeper Paul Jones could only help into the net.

Both sides had half chances to win the game before the spot kicks but to penalties it went. King’s Lynn’s first penalty from Michael Clunnan was saved by Henly and Ibrahim Olutade scored to give the Angels the lead. Successful penalties (Angels from Turner) took the score to 2-2 before Adam Lovatt missed his spot kick. King’s Lynn missed their fourth penalty and Craig Braham-Barrett restored the lead. King’s Lynn’s final penalty was scored, heaping the pressure on the young shoulders of Jenkins, but with nerves of steel he sent the visiting goalkeeper the wrong way and the Angels had made it to the FA Trophy last 16!

A naturally delighted Steve McKimm said after the game: “The players, to a man, were an absolute credit to themselves, their families and the club. We are in the draw on Monday and that’s a fantastic advert for Tonbridge Angels. For the season we’ve had so far, it’s brilliant.

Hero Jonny Henly, who saved two spot kicks, remarked: “Big respect to all the players that took penalties, they are the ones under the most pressure. As a goalie, you are not expected to save them, but I did and it’s great for the club.

It was an excited attendance of 835 that left Longmead looking forward to Monday’s draw which is live on TalkSport at 3:15 pm.

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels 2 Hungerford Town 1

Match 81/21/1945 - Saturday, 8th January 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Wood 86,90+8
Hungerford Town (1) 1 Evans 45
Attendance: 541

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,363

Football, don’t you just love it! (Or hate it in equal measures.) The final 10 minutes which ultimately turned into 21 encapsulated everything people love the game for, whilst the first 80 minutes was a microcosm of Tonbridge’s season so far.

They dominated the game; managed to keep 19 goal striker Ryan Seager quiet for a second time this season; created chances that fell by the wayside and even saw a penalty saved by the excellent, if incredibly irritating, Hungerford goalkeeper Luke Cairney.

The morning, through into lunchtime and beyond, had brought heavy rain and it is a testament to the groundstaff that these days the pitch is durable and able to withstand such a deluge.

In these days of drought in terms of goals, on publication of the team sheet, eyes are immediately drawn to the front two and on this occasion, Tommy Wood and Aaron Smith-Joseph were returned to the bench from the starting eleven in favour of Adam Coombes and a pushed forward Joe Turner.

Turner had the opening couple of chances for the Angels that did not test Cairney but after a quarter of an hour it was his cross that Luke Watkins headed narrowly wide.

Almost immediately play switched to the opposite end and Seager showed his potency with a strike that came back from the crossbar with the follow-up effort blocked by the hosts.

Jenkins, an 18-year-old loanee from AFC Wimbledon is proving himself not only a capable defender but a threat in the air from set pieces and from a corner on 28 minutes he challenged Cairney, but as is too often the case, the referee saw in favour of the goalkeeper.

In the closing minutes of the half, Tonbridge were firmly on top with several half-chances but it was the visitors that opened the scoring in the final minute after a clearance only found Jake Evans whose low drive beat Jonny Henly at his near post.

Cairney was collected every high cross into the box with ease and Tonbridge had a hand on heart moment on the hour when Henly raced from his goal to dive at the feet of Sol Wanja-Smith. The Hungerford striker went down, but referee Jack Paxman saw that it was a clear dive and showed the yellow card.

On 64 minutes, a major turning point in the game arrived, when following a corner, that saw various sets of legs trying to hack the ball either forwards or towards goal, Jenkins was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot and sent the offending Louis McGrory receive a second yellow and subsequent walk to the dressing room.

Turner’s spot kick was reasonably well struck, certainly well directed towards the bottom corner but Cairney was equal to it and saved brilliantly.

The lack of goals; chances having gone begging and the talisman missing a spot kick weighed heavily on the mind concluding that once again this was not going to be our day and these thoughts were not improved when substitute Ibrahim Olutade steered a very presentable headed opportunity well wide.

Steve McKimm was positive with his substitutions, Olutade having arrived for midfielder Doug Loft and Tom Beere on for defender Harry Hudson and with a final throw of the dice Tommy Wood replaced Coombes.

Wood made an instant impact forcing Cairney into another save as the ten men visitors managed to get their bodies in front of the ball time after time and also embarked on a time wasting mission that brought a caution for the goalkeeper.

Tonbridge finally got their reward with four minutes remaining when Wood pounced on a rebound following Craig Braham-Barrett’s shot to score from close range.

Cairney produced an unbelievable save with his feet from a Tom Beere drive and when the board showed added time of five minutes it seemed less than generous. A melee of players on the half-way line brought a lengthy stoppage as the referee restored order and the clocked ticked on to the 98th minute when the excellent Braham-Barrett crossed in from the left and, once again, Wood was on the end of it to steer the ball into the net. For Tommy Wood, it was just like buses!

In the stands, demented older people danced with delight not befitting their age, oh, that was me!

The game actually reached its 101st minute before those same people were able to dance again to the tune of the final whistle.

The moment had a Brightlingsea feel about it, and it struck the same chord with the manager who made a mention of that now famous day. History won’t repeat itself with promotion but National South safety will do nicely.

Tonbridge Angels 0 Maidstone United 1

Match 75/21/1939 - Sunday, 26th December 2021 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Maidstone United (1) 1 Phillips 18
Attendance: 1,669

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,142

It had to happen sometime, for the first time since 2007, Maidstone United have beaten their neighbours in a league fixture. It’s not quite such an impressive unbeaten run for Tonbridge as it sounds, there are many years in between when the clubs have been in different divisions and Maidstone have also won the odd Kent Senior Cup encounter. But it is a defeat against the most deadly of rivals and one that it is hoped that the pain will only last for a matter of a week as the clubs meet again at the Gallagher on 2nd January.

The weather, hardly Christmasy, mild, dank and miserably wet, along with the present Covid worries might have taken a few off of the attendance but a bumper Longmead crowd of 1,669 was still in attendance for a encounter that has failed to take place during the last two pandemic-affected seasons.

Steve McKimm opted to go for Ibrahim Olutade, fresh from his winner as a substitute against Torquay United and a first start for Adam Coombes.

At the final whistle, neither goalkeeper had had an afternoon in which they were overly employed and the result came down to the visitors taking one of very few opportunities and the Angels failing to find the target from their only real chance.

Although Joe Turner shot narrowly wide on six minutes, Maidstone dominated possession during the majority of the first period and took the lead on 18 minutes. Adam Lovatt looked to have extricated himself from an awkward position but then had his pocket picked, perhaps unfairly, and when the ball fell at the feet of Michael Phillips he picked his spot in the top corner and executed his finish perfectly.

With Maidstone holding the momentum, it was felt that Tonbridge needed to get to the break without further damage and for McKimm to inject some belief into his side. This they did, without Jonny Henly making a serious save, and within a minute of the restart, Coombes found himself one on one with the Stones’ keeper Tom Hadler, but the striker didn’t seem to have clarity of thought on the finish to be applied and Hadler was able to smother at his feet. On the sidelines with the benefit of hindsight, a clip over the goalkeeper was needed as Hadler went to ground early.

It was a big moment and given that the home side enjoyed the best of the second half by a clear margin had they equalised at that moment they might well have gone on to win the game.

But Maidstone resolutely defended and Tonbridge just didn’t have the nous to break them down and real chances were thin on the ground. Substitute Tommy Wood had a header that drifted wide on 73 minutes and Jake Embery saw his effort deflected safely into the hands of Hadler in time added.

On the day, there wasn’t 15 places between the sides, so hopefully we can look forward to another competitive encounter in a week’s time.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Torquay United 1

Match 74/21/1938 - Saturday, 18th December 2021 - FA Trophy 3R

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Turner 9 Olutade 86
Torquay United (1) 1 Wright 34
Attendance: 719

Admission: £12 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,104

These days do not come along too often. The purpose of this blog is not to produce another match report (although far too often it slips into that) but to relate the emotion or the trials and tribulations of the day.

The process of description begins with finding a word that depicts what has unfolded before your eyes. Splendid sounds a bit posh, afternoon tea at a country house; wowzers is a bit too hip for a 70-year old; it wasn’t really wondrous because I always thought that given a set of circumstances, it was on the cards. Proud cuts it, but then I’m always proud of this club. So how about sublime, it’s a word often used in football, it’s dictionary definition, elevated, lofty in thought, doesn’t quite fit with this writer, but it feels right.

Whilst we are on the subject of words, Torquay’s manager Gary Johnson probably didn’t mean to be disrespectful in his pre-match interview, but his words were clumsy as he commented that he didn’t know where Tonbridge was and pontificated over dropping of standards. Johnson needed reminding that just three years ago, Torquay plied their trade in the exact league to which Tonbridge Angels are now situated.

And so to the match reporting bit. After the home side took an early lead, Torquay stamped their quality on the match and were well worth their equaliser when it arrived but, when I expected the visitors to kick on in the second half it just didn’t happen. Johnson spoke afterwards about lack of desire, etc. I’m more inclined to believe that one side in the second period were simply better and it wasn’t Torquay.

Torquay didn’t arrive at the ground until 40 minutes before kick off, but the opening stages didn’t look like they needed to get the journey, evidently they stayed locally overnight, out of their legs. Jonny Henly needed to save from Jack Sparkes and a header from Klaidi Lolas went narrowly wide.

But it was the Angels that opened the scoring on nine minutes when a free kick from Tom Beere saw Joe Turner allowed to drift into space and rise unchallenged to plant a well placed header past the Gulls’ goalkeeper, Mark Halstead. Who said something about standards?

Halstead was back in action on 20 minutes turning a shot from Turner that was destined for the top corner away for a corner.

Torquay enjoyed a period when they had some momentum leading up to their equalising goal on 34 minutes. Tom Lapslie saw a shot deflected that Henly did well to readjust and a Danny Wright header went just over when he probably should have hit the target. But the equaliser was a fine bit of play that perhaps smacked of Johnson’s standards. A deft pass from Armani Little found Wright who clipped the ball past the advancing Henly.

Tonbridge needed to survive to the break and did so in fairness with the minimum of concern, a free kick from a dangerous position that sailed harmlessly over about as much as the visitors had to offer.

The general viewpoint among my group of Angels supporters was that the extra quality, the extra fitness that full time training brings would probably be enough to see the visitors back to Devon with their name in the hat for Monday’s draw. But, if the desire isn’t there, then the standards drop, I think we’ve done that one now!

For 15 minutes or so, Torquay did exert some pressure with Lolas forcing Henly into a save but from the hour mark, where did they go?

The irrepressible, quite magnificent on the day, Turner shot over and on 63 minutes, following a corner which wasn’t dealt with and the scramble that ensued ended with the ball crossing the line. The linesman initially appeared to signal that the ball had crossed the line but, ultimately, he detected a foul from 25 yards away that the referee couldn’t see from five. [And having now seen the video, I'm still baffled by the decision.]

Tonbridge won a series of corners, none of which were cleared with any degree of confidence and, on 74 minutes, Tommy Wood put a header agonisingly wide.

A big moment of the game came on 78 minutes. Sparkes put Sinclair Armstrong through and Henly produced a massive save to block the giant striker’s effort.

It was to be the defining moment, a superb move ended with Adam Lovatt’s shot being saved but a minute later, the 86th, a cross into the box from Beere was spilt by Halstead and there was substitute Ibrahim Olutade, only on the pitch for four minutes, to stab the ball home.

The four minutes added time seemed like hours but it passed without any scares and Tonbridge Angels had a prized scalp.

As I left the ground over an hour after the game had finished, the Torquay coach was still in position, perhaps Gary Johnson was still using the satnav to locate exactly where he was!

Tonbridge Angels 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Match 71/21/1935 - Saturday, 11th December 2021 - League One

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Turner 28 (pen) Smith-Joseph 79
Dulwich Hamlet (1) 2 Green 70 Higgs 84
Attendance: 798

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,010

This was day when football was the winner. A terrific game of football when both sets of supporters in a crowd of nearly 800 would agree that the result was the right one. A day when fourth from bottom Tonbridge Angels went toe to toe with third placed Dulwich Hamlet and a day when the match day mini beer festival was drank dry!

Anyone that has visited Champion Hill would have witnessed that Dulwich supporters like a drop of real ale, so it’s no secret that the first festival was scheduled with that knowledge! From around an hour before kick off through to 70 minutes into the game, the queue was continuous and the kegs of Tonbridge Brewery and Constellation were going down a treat.

On the field, Tonbridge Angels announced a new signing, Adam Coombs, a striker from Cray Wanderers, who took his place on the bench. Tommy Parkinson, Ricky Modeste, Doug Loft and Craig Braham-Barrett were all unavailable through injury.

Jonny Henly was the first to be tested, turning a free kick from Giovanni McGregor over the bar and Dulwich largely dominated the opening 20 minutes.

But it was the home side that took the lead after 28 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Aaron Smith-Joseph’s wing play and cross into Joe Turner, whose initial shot was parried by Charlie Grainger at the near post but as the ball rebounded to the Angels’ leading scorer he was clumsily brought down. Turner converted from the spot.

Tonbridge might have gone two-up just five minutes later when Jake Embery was through on goal following a sublime pass from Turner, but after rounding the Dulwich goalkeeper, the ball ran away from him.

Tonbridge went into the break probably just about deserving their lead, meanwhile the half-time queue at the beer stall was getting longer!

Dulwich were obviously going to go for it after the break and whilst Turner went close on 54 minutes, good chances were spurned at the other end and, on 67 minutes, Henly made what is becoming his weekly miraculous save from Jack Holland.

But the reprieve was short lived as Danny Mills opened up the Tonbridge defence before Jordan Green slotted past Henly.

Dulwich now had the momentum and Darren McQueen should have done better that shoot straight at Henly, but the visitors were rocked back on their heels after 79 minutes when a cross from Smith-Joseph was inexplicably fumbled into his own net by Grainger.

But thoughts of an unexpected three points were quickly dashed when a 25 yarder into the top corner from Jordan Higgs brought the scores level once more.

Tonbridge sought a winner, Holland making a last ditch challenge to deny Ibrahim Olutade but ultimately the clock ticked through its added time just as Tonbridge broke out from defending a corner.

Great game, well worth a celebratory beer, but the sold out signs were up!

Tonbridge Angels 0 St Albans City 0

Match 65/21/1929 - Tuesday, 30th November 2021 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
St Albans City (0) 0
Attendance: 304

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/3,652

Given that Tonbridge Angels were losing 1-0 and had been largely second best in the original game that was abandoned because of a serious injury to St Albans’ Devante Stanley, a point virtue of this goalless draw should be considered one gained. Happily, Devante was in attendance and, whilst still a long while from a return, is hoping for a full recovery.

Tonbridge’s problems in front of goal continue and Jake Embery has been added to the squad, coming in from Horsham. The 21-year-old made his name at Herne Bay where he scored a bucket load of goals before moving to Maidstone, where he had an injury hit spell.

After Saturday’s visit to freezing Canvey, the temperature at Longmead seemed almost balmy.

Embery started from the bench in an unchanged team with Sonny Miles making his 450th appearance.

In all honesty, the first half was a bit of a slog. My half-time comment being that if I stood there long enough a football match might break out.

All the first half chances fell to Tommy Wood, but a header that went over and some good defending brought nil return. Ricky Modeste had a reasonable penalty claim turned away whilst Jonny Henly in the Angels’ goal was largely unemployed.

Thankfully, a game did break out in the second half and the entertainment level rose appreciably. Tonbridge maintained the majority of the forward momentum and put several dangerous crosses into the box, particularly from Modeste, but such is the striker’s lot at present, they were always an inch away from contact.

Wood was replaced by Ibrahim Olutade on 70 minutes and Embery for Aaron Smith-Joseph on 77. Both showed high energy and linked well but still the chances continued to fall into the narrow miss category. Joe Turner, who had a diving header and another effort go wide, ended the game as a passenger as a result of a knock, painfully limping away after the game and as the leading goalscorer it was a worrying sight.