Tonbridge Angels Academy 5 Whitstable Town Academy 1

Match 22/26/2449 - Wednesday, 9th September 2026 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (3) 5
Whitstable Town Academy (1) 1
Attendance: 10
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/1,192

NEW DAWN

Tonbridge Angels comfortably won their opening National League U19 Alliance game, their first since becoming an in-house Academy, beating Whitstable Town at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

Dom Welsh, Academy Team Manager, commented after the game: “A dominant performance and a fantastic start to the season. Plenty of positive football and opportunities to score more but an excellent opening day for the new Academy.”

In the opening 15 minutes, the Angels youngsters should have been a couple of goals to the good having seen the ball cleared from the line in the first minute and a shot from Akshar Santhosh that rattled the crossbar. So it was something of a surprise when Whitstable took the lead on 17 minutes when a free kick from #8, awarded after a foul on #9, who was a handful, found the net coming down off the underside of the crossbar.

The Angels regained their composure and struck the woodwork a second time when a rasping shot from Robert Penman was touched onto the bar by the goalkeeper.

The equaliser came on 25 minutes when Mackenzie Richardson slid a pass for Penman to tap home from close range.

Just past the half-hour, Penman finished clinically into the bottom corner to put the Angels in front but were given a warning shot when another free kick from #8 struck the bar.

The woodwork was being significantly overworked as Callum Fincham hit a post on 41 minutes but, a minute later, the Angels advantage was doubled as Deller-Miles was left, unchallenged in the six yard box, to head home.

Alfie McGuire was required in first half added time as #9 sprinted clear but the goalkeeper saved at his feet.

Half-time substitute Logan Wallace added goals four and five, after 49 minutes when sent clear by Richardson and six minutes later when hooked in a cross from Akshar Santhosh.

Tonbridge dominated through to the end, but Whitstable showed resilience to keep the score at five although Penman gave the woodwork another rattling with a header.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 6 Worthing Academy 1

Match 87/24/2326 - Wednesday, 26th March 2025 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 6
Worthing Academy (0) 1
Attendance: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/6,051

Tonbridge Angels Academy 1 Wealdstone Academy 4

Match 65/24/2304 - Wednesday, 22nd January 2025 - National League U19 Alliance League Cup

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 1 Velvick 46
Wealdstone Academy (1) 4 27,39,56,90+2
Attendance: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/4,582

Tonbridge Angels Academy 4 Maidstone United Academy 1

Match 22/24/2261 - Wednesday, 11th September 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 4 Somauroo 65 Velvick 66,67,75
Maidstone United Academy (0) 1 Keil 90+
Headcount: 16
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/951

Tonbridge Angels Academy followed their opening day win at Ramsgate with an ultimately comfortable win over Maidstone United at Longmead.

Hayden Velvick, who missed the 6-1 win at Ramsgate, helped himself to a hat-trick as the Angels produced a devastating 10 minute spell that saw a goalless stalemate turn into a four goal lead.

A bright opening to a game that continued to be very watchable saw the Angels goalkeeper, Andrew Norburn, asked to make a first minute save that was quickly followed by chances for Kimsley Gatakata and Velvick.

Maidstone carved out a great opportunity when their forward was denied by a great interception from Noah Millis after 12 minutes. Following that scare, it was the Angels that largely dominated the game but without troubling the visiting goalkeeper too much.

This was to change in the last ten minutes of the half when the goalkeeper did really well to turn an effort from Gatakata onto a post and then saved well when Jamie Bidston met a corner with a firm header.

In first half time added, Tonbridge struck the post a second time this time from Casey Dudley with the rebound somehow clearing the bar from Ollie Thomson.

On the hour, the woodwork was struck a third time, this time from Velvick, before the game was taken away from the visitors in an initial spell of four minutes. On 65 minutes, a surging run from Colin Dake was brought to an end by the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell kindly to Justin Somauroo who had a relatively easy finish.

Within a minute, Velvick doubled the advantage as he cut in from the left to bury a shot into the far, bottom corner and Velvick made it three in four minutes with a close range effort.

On 75 minutes, a Dudley free kick initially looked like it had gone straight in, but it was Velvick that had the telling touch to take it past the goalkeeper and complete his hat trick.

Maidstone had the consolation of a last kick of the match goal when an effort from Robbie Keil was deflected into his own net by a defender at the far post.

Certainly a promising start from a squad peppered with first year students.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 7 Maidstone United Academy 2

Match 92/23/2215 - Wednesday, 13th March 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 7 Velvick 47,83,86 Shave 65,71, C.Dudley 75, F.Dudley 81
Maidstone United Academy (2) 2 Kiel 30,37
Headcount: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/6,686

Tonbridge Angels Academy 3 Welling United Academy 5

Match 71/23/2194 - Wednesday, 18th January 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (3) 3 F. Dudley 25 Velvick 42 Vowles (pen) 45+2
Welling United Academy (2) 5
Headcount: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/5,056

Tonbridge Angels Academy fell to defeat in a highly entertaining, goal-laden game against a very good, title chasing Welling United at Longmead on Wednesday lunchtime.

Both teams held games in hand on present leaders Ebbsfleet United, but it is the south London side that moved to within three points of the top with three games in hand.

The visitors started the game and enjoyed the early possession also creating the best of the chances with the Angels’ goalkeeper, Jay Blake, being the busier of the two. After eight minutes he was rounded but the angle became too tight for the Welling #8 who also brought a save from Blake. In response, after 16 minutes, Hayden Velvick outpaced the Wings defence down the left and his pull back from the bye line brought a save at the near post from Ollie Thomson.

Blake was also in the action after 24 minutes turning over a good effort from the edge of the box.

But, it was the Angels that went in front within a minute when the Welling goalkeeper strayed from his area to clear but was beaten to the ball by Josh McArthur whose pass allowed Felix Dudley to score.

The lead was only to last three minutes as a ball over the top of the Angels defence saw #22 run on to lob Blake, the ball came back off the post but the forward followed up to tap home.

Welling moved in front after 32 minutes when #8 lobbed the ball past the advancing Blake to score despite the desperate attempts to clear by Toby Allen.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued with a Thomson header and a Leo Vowles shot before the Welling goalkeeper was robbed on the edge of his box, dallying over a clearance, by McArthur with the ball falling to Velvick to score.

Confusion reigned, two minutes into first half added time when a handball first appeared to have brought a penalty decision that then turned into a free kick on the edge only for the assistant referee to confirm that a penalty should be the award. There was no confusion though as Vowles blasted his spot kick into the roof of the net to give the Angels a half-time 3-2 lead.

After both goalkeepers had made early second half saves, Welling equalised on 56 minutes with a shot that struck the inside of a post before crossing the line, once again at the behest of the eagle-eyed assistant referee.

Encouraged by the goal, Welling pressed forward and Ashton Thomas was needed to clear from the line before, after 65 minutes, a cross from the left was met with a towering header from #4 to give the visitors the lead.

Tonbridge worked hard in response with efforts from Tom Scott-Smith firing over; a header from Thomas going wide but with the last kick of the match, Welling’s #14 broke clear to seal the points.

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Bromley U18 0

Match 36/23/2159 - Monday, 2nd October 2023 - FA Youth Cup 2QR

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Velvick 5 Larkin 84 Cooney 86
Bromley U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 158
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/1,898
Weather: 17degC., Showers

Excuse me if this report indulges itself with a few superlatives. The Angels FA Youth Cup side produced one of, perhaps the best, performances and certainly result, in several years. To a man, they were magnificent.

At this stage last season, a valiant performance at Hayes Lane ended nonetheless with a 4-2 defeat, so to meet them again 12 months later, albeit at home, and to deservedly win by three clear goals is Progress with a capital P!

Gifted an early goal, the Angels had to withstand intense pressure for 80 minutes before two late goals sealed their place in the final qualifying round.

The Angels went ahead after five minutes when Hayden Velvick latched on to a bad back pass before clinically firing into the far corner.

The first half wasn’t entirely backs to the wall although Will Puffette was needed to make a last ditch tackle to deny Bromley’s Will Gates and Toby Edwards saved from Finley Roberts and Kassim Dagher.

But Tonbridge continually looked dangerous on the break and, after 22 minutes, a shot-cum-cross from Felix Waring rebounded from the crossbar.

Tonbridge breathed a sigh of relief just before the break when Temu Appiah put a good opportunity narrowly wide.

The National League side started the second half probably stung by harsh words in the dressing room and rattled the bar after five minutes through the impressive Kaya Hansson but the Angels themselves went close a couple of minutes later when Velvick fired agonisingly wide after being sent clear by Waring.

Bromley dominated the play but whatever was thrown at them the Angels back line stood heroically firm and as the visitors gambled with their goalkeeper virtually playing as a sweeper in the centre circle, they were always vulnerable to the pacy breakaways of the home side such as when substitute Cameron Honarvar broke clear to shoot inches wide.

Four minutes remained when an Angels corner was only cleared to Adam Larkin, who from 25 yards drove the ball low back through a forest of bodies to nestle the ball in the back of the net to put the next round within touching distance.

Two minutes later, Tonbridge Angels name was firmly in the hat as substitute Fin McLeod charged down a clearance for fellow substitute Teddy Cooney to place the ball into the unguarded goal.

Official reports are supposed to be measured, perhaps unbiased, but we can be forgiven that this one is not. A night when even superlatives are not enough!

Tonbridge Angels Academy 4 Hollands & Blair Academy 1

Match 28/23/2151 - Wednesday, 13th September 2023 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 4 Velvick 40,68 Shave 45 Thomas 47
Hollands & Blair Academy (1) 1 15
Headcount: 15

Admission: Free Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,493
Weather: 22degC., cooler than of late

As with any academic year, the Academy new intake is integrated into returning second and third year students leaving the opening outing a learning curve for both the management and players alike. The new intake have, for a third consecutive season, to take their places in a side as reigning champions, the team whose title the rest of the division aspire too.

Hollands and Blair, new to the National League Under-19 Alliance this season, for 30 minutes looked every inch of one of those aspiring clubs as they dominated the early stages and were well worth their lead, taken on 15 minutes, when a defence splitting pass allowed a shot into the bottom corner.

Debutant goalkeeper, Jay Blake, had already had to show his mettle with two sharp saves before he was beaten and five minutes later, the visitors might have doubled their advantage when a free header cleared the bar.

As the Angels youngsters started to find their feet with a fine move involving Hayden Velvick and Ollie Thomson that ended with Josh McArthur shooting narrowly wide, they enjoyed a stroke of fortune as a shot struck the left hand post after 29 minutes.

As the pace of Velvick began to unsettle the Blair defence, the Academy imposed a threat in the final 15 minutes of the half culminating with an equaliser five minutes before the break when the striker was sent clear to shoot into the bottom corner from a fairly acute angle on the left side.

Not satisfied with ending the half on level terms, the Angels went ahead in added time when McArthur set up Alex Shave to finish from close range.

The home side doubled their advantage just two minutes after the restart when a free kick from Leo Vowles was headed on by Shave for Ashton Thomas to hook home.

The Angels were now confidently in control of the game and went further ahead on 69 minutes with a fine team goal involving Vowles and Thomas that allowed Velvick a finish at the far post.

Velvick was denied his hat-trick on 70 minutes when the saw his shot cleared from the line and, five minutes later, from a Steve Southern cross, the goalkeeper saved.

Blake was tested on a couple of occasions in the final 20 minutes but the Angels were largely in control of the game with substitute Max O’Neil having a shot saved.

Manager Tommy Parkinson commented after the game that “there had been lots learnt and much to improve on in the coming weeks.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 1 Charlton Athletic Trust 0

Match 106/22/2113 - Wednesday, 19th April 2023 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 1 Hermitage 19
Charlton Athletic Trust (0) 0
Headcount: 12

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/7,312

The Academy inched ever closer to retaining their National League Under-19 Alliance title with a hard fought, single goal win against a very competitive and well organised Charlton Athletic Trust.

The Angels need one more win, with the next game at the Gallagher against a Maidstone United side who were soundly beaten by the closest of the challengers Chatham Town.

The last two league games have seen the Angels uncharacteristically struggling for goals following last week’s goalless draw at VCD Athletic. But, on this occasion, a lot of credit should go to some stubborn defending, but in particular, a fine performance from the visiting goalkeeper, Frankie Leonard.

After taking a 19th minute lead through Ben Hermitage, who finished a fine move that saw Fyn Rutherford open up the Charlton defence with a crossfield pass to Sam Grant whose low cross into the box found Hermitage to finish into the bottom corner.

This might have opened the door to a comfortable win when, on 26 minutes, Hermitage was sent clear but saw his effort saved by Leonard with the follow-up from makeshift forward Tom Green well defended.

A minute later, Leonard again excelled, saving well from Shea Brennan after good work from Chester Smith but Charlton responded well and the Angels goalkeeper, Nat Gibb, was called on to save from Mekai Lennox-James, who proceeded to cause more than a few headaches for the Angels backline.

In the last couple of minutes before the break, Gibb preserved his clean sheet, twice coming out on top in his personal battle with Lennox-James.

Both defences appeared to respond to the half-time talk and chances were kept to a minimum until the last 15 minutes.

Hermitage had a great chance to add to his season’s haul of 39 goals when put through on goal by Brennan but was denied by the advancing Leonard. Brennan fired over a minute later, before Charlton showed they had not given up on salvaging a point forcing Gibb into a save.

Ten minutes from the end Brennan struck the bar with Leonard saving the follow-up from Green and in the dying moments of the game, the goalkeeper was playing a sweeper role, 30 yards from goal to stop Rutherford in his tracks.

Tommy Parkinson pulled no punches labelling it a “poor performance” whilst crediting Charlton, who he felt “deserved something from the game”. He also pointed to the positive aspect of another clean sheet and only one goal conceded in the last 10 games.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 8 VCD Athletic Academy 0

Match 71/22/2078 - Wednesday, 1st February 2023 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (5) 8 Tyrie 2 Velvick 6,49 Thomas 16 Brennan 29,45,54 Saunders 58
VCD Athletic (0) 0
Headcount: 15

Admission: Free Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/4,822

A hat-trick for Shea Brennan, each goal a shot from 20 yards or more, was the highlight of another comfortable National League Alliance win for the Academy.

In attendance were a couple of Leeds United supporters who had decided to stop off en-route to their club’s FA Youth Cup game against AFC Wimbledon, who felt we had “a cracking set-up”.

And the Angels got off to a cracking start with a goal after just two minutes and added too four minutes later. The opening goal came via a Leo Vowles’ free kick on the left that found the head of skipper Joe Tyrie. Vowles was then involved in the second when he sent Josh McArthur clear to cross for Hayden Velvick to finish from close range. The goal stood despite VCD’s claims for offside which did appear to be justified.

The early goals gave the Angels momentum that they didn’t really lose until the latter stages of the game. Vowles and Velvick brought saves from the goalkeeper before a cross from the former saw Ashton Thomas arriving into space to plant a firm header home.

The first of Brennan’s rockets from 20 yards whistled past the goalkeeper after 29 minutes to make it 4-0.

In fairness to VCD, they endeavoured to keep their heads up and, on a couple of occasions brought, albeit comfortable, saves from Nat Gibb.

They also defended stoutly especially on 40 minutes when Tyrie’s header from a corner was half-saved before being cleared from the line, but there was nothing that could be done in the first minute of time added when Brennan left fly again, this time from around 25 yards into the roof of the net for a 5-0 half-time lead.

Four minutes after the restart, Velvick was sent clear by Ben Hermitage to lob the goalkeeper for his 24th goal of the season.

Jokes had been passed with Shea’s watching Dad during half-time that he needed a 30-yarder for his hat-trick, well it was not quite and it needed a bit of unfortunate goalkeeping but, after 54 minutes, his hat-trick was confirmed with another shot of 20 yards distance.

An excellent run and cross from Tom Scott-Smith allowed Will Saunders the opportunity at the far post to score the eighth and leave the Angels with a last half-hour in which the foot somewhat came off the pedal. That was duly noted by Academy manager Tommy Parkinson who commented that it had been “a solid performance with a few players missing but standards had dropped in the second half.”

Our friends from Leeds, set off for Sheppey in search of another goalfest which duly arrived in the shape of a 16-2 win for visitors Worthing, before moving on to Plough Lane for the Fourth Round tie that, doubtless, will be considerably more competitive.

PS: Leeds United progressed 3-1 after extra time in the FA Youth Cup

Tonbridge Angels Academy 2 Worthing Academy 2

Match 62/22/2069 - Wednesday, 11th January 2023 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 2 Velvick 14 Green 85
Worthing Academy (1) 2 Dolaghan 28 Thorne 63
Headcount: 12

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/4,286

Where’s VAR when you need it!

The Academy were denied a last kick of the match winner by a linesman’s flag who gave a hairline decision against Hayden Velvick, who had allegedly strayed offside. In all fairness, whilst a late winner would cheer the hearts of Tonbridge Angels supporters, it would have been rough justice on a Worthing side that fully deserved to take something out of the game.

The draw maintains the Academy’s position at the top of the National League Under-19 Alliance but they lose their 100% record.

Following last week’s one-sided romp for the Angels, this game provided excellent entertainment with both sides neither asking or giving any quarter.

Tom Parkinson’s side was forced into a couple of changes with academic examinations taking priority for Josh McArthur and Shea Brennan.

After a fairly quiet opening the first chance of the game fell to Worthing after 13 minutes with a shot that was pulled narrowly wide, but within a minute it was the Angels that opened the scoring. A shot from Will Saunders was parried by the Worthing goalkeeper but leading scorer Velvick was on hand to seize onto the loose ball to score and take his total for the season to 22.

Tonbridge might have gone 2-0 up just three minutes later when, in similar circumstances to the opening goal, the goalkeeper parried a shot from Joe Tyrie into the path of Velvick who tucked it home but the referee decided that the goalkeeper had sufficient downward pressure on the ball to deem that it was kicked from his hands.

The Worthing goalkeeper saved well from Velvick and Saunders shot over as the Angels were well on top at this stage of the game.

But the visitors fought back and it took a superb challenge from Ashton Thomas to foil one attack which was followed quickly by a shot that was narrowly wide from the full back. So, it came as little surprise, when on 28 minutes a fine move that started on the left with a fine cross from Lewis Thorne found Bradley Dolaghan at the far post to score, this being his 23rd goal of the season.

Although Sam Grant tested the Worthing goalkeeper, the visitors remained on top for the remainder of the half although Angels’ keeper, Lewis Wilkins wasn’t seriously tested.

The Angels came out from the dressing room for the second period with a renewed sense of purpose and very nearly regained the lead after three minutes when a brilliant pass from Billy Robbins found Leo Vowles whose fiercely struck shot came back from the underside of the crossbar, despite protests that the ball had crossed the line, the game continued.

Worthing were still giving as good as they got and it wasn’t undeserved when they went in front after 63 minutes with some excellent work down the left hand side saw the ball crossed from the byeline for Thorne to drive it into the bottom corner.

With a league defeat for the first time this season staring them in the face, Tonbridge threw everything at their visitors in search of an equaliser. Substitute Tom Green fired over; and the goalkeeper bravely saved at the feet of Robbins before, with 10 minutes remaining, what looked to be the golden chance, Hermitage headed wide from a Grant cross.

But the Angels stuck at it and their equaliser came on 85 minutes when a quick throw from Grant found Robbins whose cross saw Green smash home from around the penalty spot.

Green had the ball in the net again with three minutes to go, this time disallowed for a foul before, in the seventh minute of time added, from Vowles’ cross, Velvick turned and shot only for the celebrations to be cut short.

It was great entertainment and, guess what, we can do it all again as the two teams meet again at Woodside Road next Wednesday.

Sheppey United Academy 0 Tonbridge Angels Academy 19

Match 58/22/2065 - Wednesday, 4th January 2023 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Sheppey United Academy (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Academy (4) 19 Vowles 2,56,90 McArthur 3,55,59,84 OG 9 Saunders 23 Hermitage 51 (pen),54,63,68 Green 65 Velvick 77 Tyrie 78 Grant 81,89 Thomas 82
Headcount: 12

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 52/4,134

The Academy showed very little mercy on bottom placed Sheppey United as they racked up their biggest ever Academy win with an amazing 15 second half goals.

Sheppey are in their first year in the National League Under-19 Alliance and were no match for an established Academy, least of all the reigning champions and the club setting the pace this season.

Given the ultimate result, it was a steadfast effort from the islanders to go into the break four goals down, having conceded three in the opening 10 minutes. But an early salvo of second half goals saw heads drop and as legs became cramped, the Angels were scoring almost at will in the final 20 minutes.

It was a blustery day at Holm Park which, before kick off, made you wonder if it could be a leveller but the game was already beyond doubt after nine minutes as the Angels raced into a three goal lead.

A first minute corner won after Leo Vowles brought a good save from the home goalkeeper but poor marking from the resultant corner allowed Vowles to score from close range. Within a minute, Josh McArthur drove into the box to bury his shot into the bottom corner. When a cross from the right was turned into his own net by a Sheppey defender, the game was as good as over before 10 minutes had elapsed.

The Ites youngsters steadied the ship somewhat and fashioned a chance of their own but the shot was struck over the bar.

After 23 minutes a really good move involving Hayden Velvick and McArthur opened an opportunity for Will Saunders to crash home a fourth.

Tonbridge created several chances in what was mostly one-way traffic but some brave goalkeeping kept the score at 4-0.

And so to the second half that became an avalanche of goals from minute 51 through to the 59th in which the scoreline went from four to nine. Ben Hermitage scored from the penalty spot and three minutes later capitalised on a woeful back pass. McArthur rolled a shot in for seven; Vowles from close range for eight before McArthur claimed his hat trick.

A 20 yard effort from Hermitage brought up his hat trick and took the Angels total into double figures and after Hermitage had struck both bar and post in the space of 10 seconds, Tom Green smashed home the eleventh and, after 68 minutes, Hermitage got his fourth and the Angels 12th.

It was a strange anomaly that 12 goals scored and, despite his usual hard working performance, leading scorer Velvick had failed to find the net. This was corrected on 77 minutes, linking with Hermitage before slotting home.

It initiated another flurry of goals, five in seven minutes, as the Sheppey side folded.

Skipper Joe Tyrie found the top corner from 25 yards; substitutes Sam Grant and Ashton Thomas and McArthur’s fourth took it to 17.

Added time goals from Grant and Vowles rounded off the one-sided encounter.

Sheppey United are a progressive club with a rich Kent Youth League pedigree, one hopes that they are able to recover from a chastening first season experience to establish their Academy in the National League Alliance.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 8 Eastbourne Borough Academy 2

Match 52/22/2059 - Wednesday, 7th December 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (3) 8 Velvick 12,54,58 Saunders 34 Hermitage 38,65,77 (pen) Tyrie 57
Eastbourne Borough Academy (1) 2
Headcount: 15

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/3,850

The Academy produced a ruthless second half performance to maintain their 100% start to the league season with hat tricks from Hayden Velvick and Ben Hermitage.

Velvick increased his season’s total to 19 in 10 games whilst Hermitage has 11.

Although the Angels led by 3-1 at the break, there was little to suggest that they would run away with the game in the second period.

Whilst the Angels dominated, Eastbourne defended well after a shaky start in which the home side opened the scoring after 12 minutes. A long ball into the left channel from skipper Joe Tyrie found Velvick, who cut in from the left, skipping a couple of challenges, before finding the far corner from an acute angle close to the bye-line.

Tonbridge continued to have the majority of the play with Hermitage bringing a save from the goalkeeper and Josh McArthur firing over before a surging run from Leo Vowles ended with a blocked shot that rebounded to Will Saunders who drove the ball home.

Eastbourne quickly responded with a fine shot from 20 yards after 36 minutes but the Angels restored their advantage two minutes later when McArthur set up Hermitage to score from 10 yards.

Tonbridge opened the second half on the offensive and within the first quarter-hour had taken the score to 6-1. After 54 minutes, Saunders sent Velvick clear to slip past the advancing keeper and Tyrie rose highest to head home from a corner after 57 minutes. A fine move involving Vowles and McArthur, saw Velvick springing the offside trap to make it 6-1 after 58 minutes.

Tonbridge showed little sign of taking their foot off the pedal although Nat Gibb was pressed into action turning over a shot before a typical Vowles surging run and cross presented Hermitage with a goal from close range after 65 minutes.

Josh McArthur was brought down in the box for Hermitage to convert from the spot and complete his hat trick.

Credit to Eastbourne who continued to battle away and were rewarded when a substitute scored with five minutes remaining.

Tommy Parkinson commented: “A really good attacking performance from the squad and some fantastic goals scored! We go into Christmas with eight wins from eight.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 6 Ebbsfleet United Academy 2

Match 46/22/2053 - Wednesday, 16th November 2022 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 6 Davies 25 Velvick 47 Tyrie 49 Vowles 52 Hermitage 75 Mdyadora 79
Ebbsfleet United Academy (1) 2
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None purchased
Mileage: 38/3,426

The Academy maintained their unblemished start to the League season whilst inflicting a first defeat on their visitors, Ebbsfleet United, with a comprehensive win at Longmead on Wednesday lunchtime.

Three goals in the opening seven minutes of the second half put the game out of reach of Ebbsfleet after a first half in which the Angels were wasteful in front of goal, despite going into the break a goal to the good.

That lead barely reflected a half of Tonbridge dominance from the outset in which the visiting goalkeeper, Connor Cooper, was not only kept busy but excelled in the process. Two chances went astray in the opening two minutes with Jezreel Davies going close following a corner and, moments later, Hayden Velvick shot across the face of goal.

Will Saunders tested Cooper before the goalkeeper made a double save to deny both Saunders and Ben Hermitage.

Saunders needed to be substituted in the 18th minute by Billy Robbins as the chances continued to be made and wasted, or denied, as Cooper continued to save the day.

On 23 minutes, an extraordinary piece of skill from Davies, deserved a better outcome than a disallowed goal as he beat three players but unfortunately as he lobbed the ball over the head of one defender, the ball struck his hand before he dispatched his shot into the bottom corner.

But Davies was not to be denied two minutes later, when from all of 25 yards, he picked up a loose ball in midfield and struck a shot into the top corner that Cooper could only watch and admire.

The right hand post came to the goalkeeper’s rescue when a cross-cum-shot from Hermitage bounced off the woodwork, who also pulled a shot wide on the stroke of half-time.

Two minutes after the restart, Velvick was sent clear by a long pass forward; the pacy forward took on his marker, turning inside, before firing home a shot past Cooper.

A third goal came on 49 minutes when, following a right-sided corner from Leo Vowles, Tom Green knocked the ball goalwards from the far post for skipper Joe Tyrie to touch it over the line.

In this five minute spell, Robbins did well to pull the ball back inside the area for Vowles to power an unstoppable shot from 12 yards to almost put the game to bed and, perhaps, a little complacency set in as Ebbsfleet pulled two goals back.

Angels’ goalkeeper, Nat Gibb dwelt on the ball and was robbed allowing a tap in for 4-1 and on 72 minutes the visitors might have sensed they were back in the game when a ball out of defence saw Hadez Karim race clear to finish past Gibb.

But tha Angels regained their ascendancy with Josh McArthur setting up Hermitage for 5-2 and substitute Joseph Mdyadora produced a composed finish after cutting in from the right.

Tyrie headed over twice in the closing stages as the Angels finished the game strongly.

Academy Manager Tommy Parkinson commented after the game: “A solid performance from the squad against a good Ebbsfleet side. Some good goals scored but lacked quality in the final third at times.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 4 Welling United Academy 0

Match 41/22/2048 - Wednesday, 1st November 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (3) 4 Hermitage 14 Vowles 19 Velvick 36 Tobin 90+2
Welling United Academy (0) 0
Headcount: 11

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/3,130

Tonbridge Angels Academy maintained a 100% start to their league season with well-earned win at a blustery Longmead Stadium against Welling United.

The Angels had, by far, the better of the first period, but Welling were much improved after the break and goalkeeper, Nat Gibb and his defenders had to work hard for their clean sheet.

An early chance fell to Josh McArthur who was denied by the visiting goalkeeper, Sonny Findlay but, after 14 minutes, the Angels were in front when a defence-splitting through ball from Hayden Velvick sent Ben Hermitage clear to slot past the advancing Findlay.

The score was quickly doubled when, following a free kick conceded centrally on the edge of the box, Leo Vowles curled his shot into the corner.

Welling offered a response with Gibb twice denying Oghosa Williams but it was the home side that were in the ascendancy with Hermitage pulling a shot wide before Velvick made it 3-0, crashing in a shot from a narrow angle following a short corner routine.

An audacious dummy from Velvick sent Vowles clear just before the break but Findlay saved well at his feet.

The second half was far more even with both goalkeepers gainfully employed. Gibb saved from Williams and Chris Newall whilst Findlay did similarly from Hermitage with Tom Green and Kian Austin shooting over the bar.

With 10 minutes remaining, Welling's Newall smashed a shot against the crossbar but, in time added, the final say went to Josh Tobin, who finished a move involving Velvick and Will Saunders, before firing into the corner from 12 yards.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 11 Maidstone United Academy 0

Match 31/22/2038 - Wednesday, 12th October 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (5) 11 McArthur 10 Saunders 12 Velvick 34,44,86,90 Hermitage 38,80 Tyrie 51 Vowles 60,63
Maidstone United (0) 0

Headcount: 12
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,419

Tonbridge Angels Academy’s early season goal rush continued with an eleven goal demolition of their local rivals Maidstone United. Sixteen-year-old Hayden Velvick scored his second successive quadruple following his four goal haul last week against Welling United.

The opening minutes at Longmead didn’t suggest the ultimate outcome with Maidstone applying some early pressure, but once Velvick had struck the right hand post after being released by Fyn Rutherford, it was not long before the floodgates opened as the visitors struggled with the Angels pace and movement from that moment.

Tonbridge went ahead after 10 minutes with a Josh McArthur lob from 12 yards that the goalkeeper, Kieran Pongoue, could only fingertip into his own net. Only 60 seconds elapsed before the lead was doubled. A fine ball from Tom Scott-Smith found Velvick whose cross from the byline was bundled home at the far post by Will Saunders.

The traffic was purely one way and the biggest surprise was that it took until the 34th minute to add the third goal. Prior to the goal, Pongoue saved well from Ben Hermitage and Velvick, who opened his account reacting to the goalkeeper’s parry after a McArthur shot.

After 39 minutes, a quick free kick from Scott-Thomas allowed McArthur to set up Hermitage who smashed a shot into the roof of the net and, on the cusp of the break, McArthur’s cross was intercepted by a defender but only deflected into the path of Velvick who scored with ease.

Maidstone’s defensive frailties were quickly exposed in the second period when a Leo Vowles cross found Joe Tyrie, with time and space, to steer a header home.

The visitors stirred and attacks saw Nat Gibb save from Robin Earle and a shot from Jaden Green sailed over before a slick move involving Velvick and Hermitage set up Vowles for the seventh on the hour. Three minutes later Vowles doubled his account with a rasping drive from the acutest of angles.

Pongoue was keeping the scoreline respectable until Hermitage on 80 minutes and two late goals from Velvick rounded off the afternoon.

Tommy Parkinson hailed the ruthless performance of his squad whilst commiserating with his opponents who deserved credit for working hard until the final whistle.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 2 Chatham Town Academy 1

Match 22/22/2029 - Wednesday, 21st September 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 1 Hermitage 33 Velvick 42
Chatham Town Academy (1) 1 Biring 18

Headcount: 20
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,891

The Academy opened their league season, coming from behind to win a hard-fought, entertaining encounter with a very good Chatham Town side.

A warm-up injury to Will Saunders saw Aston Thomas promoted to the starting XI, but leaving just Sam Grant as a lone substitute.

The first quarter-hour gave the Angels side due warning that their visitors would be stern opposition and, although Hayden Velvick was narrowly wide after rounding the goalkeeper after 17 minutes, it was no surprise when Chatham took the lead a minute later with a superb strike from 25 yards by Joel Biring.

Tonbridge slowly found their rhythm, creating a couple of half-chances before equalising on 33 minutes. Velvick, whose pace and tireless running were a constant problem for the Chats, chased down a through ball into the left channel before sliding the ball from the bye-line across the face of goal, giving Ben Hermitage an easy finish from close range.

Velvick was rewarded for his industry, three minutes before the break, when he intercepted a pass before sprinting clear to round the goalkeeper and finish into the far corner.

Tonbridge were, perhaps, fortunate to go into the break in front but in the second period exercised a much greater control of the game.

Chatham had a great opportunity to get onto level terms three minutes into the half when central defender, Lewis Ridden, headed over following a corner. But, although the half was to remain goalless, the vast majority of the chances fell to the home side.

Hermitage steered a header wide just past the hour and central defender Tom Green fired over from distance whilst the Chatham goalkeeper, Rohan Jull, made saves to deny Leo Vowles and Billy Robbins. In the final moments last gasp tackles were also needed to stop the marauding Vowles.

Manager Tom Parkinson spoke for the spectators when he described the game as “high quality against a very good Chatham team.” Adding, “with players dropping out on the day and only 12 players in the squad the team worked very hard to get all three points from their first league game.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 4 Bromley Academy 3

Match 140/21/2004 - Wednesday, 18th May 2022 - Academy Summer League

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 4 Barden 9 Nicholls 38 Williams 67 Lazell 78
Bromley Academy (3) 3
Headcount: 2
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 32/8,354

Tonbridge Angels Academy 1 Bromley Academy 1

Match 131/21/1995 - Wednesday, 27th April 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 1 Twist 84
Bromley Academy (0) 1 Street 51
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/7,484

If anybody thought that Tonbridge Angels Academy’s title confirmation last week would render the fixture against runner-up Bromley meaningless, then think again!

Without any question these two sides are the best in the division with literally a fag paper between them. Back in November at Hayes Lane, Tonbridge fought a magnificent rearguard display to return home with a single goal victory and today, at Longmead Stadium, a hard fought game with no quarter given and certainly none asked ended in a 1-1 draw which was the least that both sides deserved as Bromley enjoyed the best of the first half whilst Tonbridge fought back to earn their point with a late goal.

In terms of clear opportunities, neither side were able to create much in a first half that Bromley dominated. The Angels had an early chance on eight minutes when Bromley goalkeeper, Cemal Osman, saved from Cameron Wootton, but it was another half-hour before anything further was created, at which time Bromley had a goal from Tyler Lochner disallowed for offside.

Although chances had been thin on the ground, it was a fascinating encounter.

The beginning of the second half saw Tonbridge making their second substitution with Sam Grant replacing Billy Kent whilst a first half injury to Shea Brennan had seen the introduction of Mason Nicholls.

Bromley opened the scoring on 51 minutes when a cross into the box from the right saw a misplaced clearance under pressure fall to Will Street who scored from close range.

The Angels went in search of an equaliser from the restart with Luca Woodhouse becoming increasingly dominant in midfield and he saw a good effort deflected away for a corner on 56 minutes.

A corner on 76 minutes saw a melee in front of the Bromley goal that ended with Kian Austin stabbing the ball narrowly wide and, two minutes later, Osman saved well from Woodhouse at his near post.

Bromley had a chance to stretch their lead with seven minutes remaining with Nat Gibb saving well from Noah Joyce and that save proved vital within 60 seconds when a cross into the area from Tom Green saw Woodhouse head the ball back across the face for Ben Twist to fire home from 10 yards.

Tonbridge threw everything forward in search of a winner with Woodhouse being denied again and there were claims for a penalty when substitute Will Saunders was felled in the box but the referee waved away the appeals.

For the penultimate game on the hallowed turf of Longmead this was a memorable encounter and Tommy Parkinson was full of praise following the game: “A fair result against a good Bromley side who were the better side for long spells. It has been a fantastic season from our squad and now on to the champions of champions game next week.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 8 Whitstable Town Academy 0

Match 128/21/1992 - Wednesday, 20th April 2022 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 8 Woodhouse (pen) 23 Twist 28 Wootton 49,55 Nicholls 64,76 Hermitage 81 Saunders 84
Whitstable Town (0) 0
Headcount: 12
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 32/7,376

Despite being reduced to 10 men for the entire second half following Fin Hartley’s sending-off for a second yellow card offence, the Academy cruised to a comfortable victory that leaves them a single win away from the League title.

Manager Tommy Parkinson will be hoping to clinch the title at K Sports next Monday, thus avoiding the final game against Bromley becoming a decider.

There was not really the indication of what was to come in the early period of the first half, although the traffic was pretty much one way. Hartley tested the Whitstable goalkeeper twice in the first five minutes and Cameron Wootton was off target before, after 23 minutes, he was clumsily brought down for a penalty which was duly converted by Luca Woodhouse.

Sam Grant fired over on 27 minutes before setting up Ben Twist with a straightforward finish a minute later.

The two goals deflated the visitors and it was only a matter of some decent goalkeeping and some wayward finishing that kept Whitstable in the game before the break.

Any thoughts that the man disadvantage might offer Whitstable a route back into the game were quickly dispelled when Wootton finished into the bottom corner from 10 yards following a Grant cross four minutes into the half.

Wootton struck a post after 52 minutes but was the beneficiary of some good fortune three minutes later when a wayward clearance from the goalkeeper struck him in the back, rebounding into the goal.

The East Kent coast side’s spirit was well and truly broken now and a fine goal worked between substitutes Will Saunders and Billy Kent set up Mason Nicholls for number five.

Another poor clearance allowed Nicholls to return to ball to an unguarded goal on 76 minutes as the Angels began to break through almost at will.

A cross into the box from Tom Green saw a shot from Kent come back from the post for Ben Hermitage to convert after 81 minutes and three minutes later, Hermitage turned provider as his shot was only parried by the keeper into the path of Saunders for an easy finish.

There was enough time on the clock for Angels’ goalkeeper, Nat Gibb, to show that long periods of inactivity had not dulled his concentration pulling off a fine save to preserve his clean sheet.