Tonbridge Angels Ladies 2 Maidstone United Women 3

Match 101/18/1694 - Sunday, 3rd March 2019 - Kent Plate

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (1) 2 Janes 42 Burton 90+4
Maidstone United Women (2) 3 Beeput 10,49 Stacey 16
Attendance: 155

Admission: £2
Programme: With Entry
Mileage: 38/5,967

Tonbridge Angels Ladies paid for a slow start in which they conceded twice in the opening 16 minutes and after working hard to bring the game back to 2-1 at half-time they conceded early in the second half to once more have a two goal deficit to recover.

The game, played at Longmead Stadium, attracted an excellent attendance of 155 especially given a wet and windy afternoon.

Tonbridge struggled to adapt to the conditions and when, after 10 minutes, a loose pass was intercepted by Maidstone’s Amanda Beeput, the tall striker strode clear to bury a shot into the bottom corner.

After 16 minutes a lofted clearance saw Maidstone’s #10 clear and although Samantha Wright saved bravely the first attempt the ball rebounded kindly for #10 to shoot into an open goal.

Leaving themselves with a plenty of time but a mountain to climb, the Angels’ Ladies began to settle into the game with Kelly Moran and Becky Mackley combining well before the latter’s shot was blocked.

But, after 33 minutes, they gave themselves a fighting chance when a well delivered corner from Florentia Anastasiou was met with a firm header from Becky Janes to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Leading goalscorers Mackley and Janes saw efforts go respectively wide and high as the Angels ended the half on the front foot.

Sadly, all the hard work of the later stages of the first half were quickly undone within three minutes of the restart when Beeput found too much space after being sent clear by Gemma Sullivan. Although her first attempt was blocked by Anastasiou, the rebound fell kindly for the Maidstone striker to finish clinically.

Wright’s brave dive at the feet of Beeput denied her a hat-trick as did a good save, low to her left, on 78 minutes.

To their credit the Angels fought hard to the finish and got a consolation in time added when Sara Walker was scythed down in the box allowing Burton to convert from the spot.

The Ladies have very little time to feel sorry for themselves as next Sunday they go into another semi-final against Lewes Foundation in the Chairman’s Cup.

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 0 Enfield Town 9

Match 80/18/1673 - Wednesday, 9th January 2019 - Isthmian Women's Cup QF

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Enfield Town (6) 9
Attendance: 93

Admission: £2
Programme: Free with entry
Mileage: 38/4,722

">Match Report

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 4 Sittingbourne Ladies 0

Match 45/18/1638 - Thursday, 18th October 2018 - Isthmian Ladies League Cup 1st Round

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (2) 4 Mackley 31 Janes 39,71 Walker 89
Sittingbourne Ladies (0) 0
Attendance: 75

Admission: £2
Programme: With Entrance
Mileage: 38/2,952

Tonbridge Angels Ladies comfortably eased their way into the Isthmian Women’s League Cup Second Round at Longmead against a spirited Sittingbourne side.

Sittingbourne play their football in the Division from which the Angels were promoted last season and, if they can maintain the tenacity displayed, they will do very well this season.

The East Kent side were forced onto the back foot from the first whistle but defended stoutly for 30 minutes before the Angels finally made the breakthrough.

The tone was set after eight minutes when Megan Akehurst headed over and, after 14 minutes, Becky Mackley brought the first save out of the Bourne’s keeper Emily Hariss.

The goalkeeper made a brave save at the feet of Becky Janes, who had the ball in the net after half-an-hour but saw it ruled out as the ball had gone out of play before the cross was made from the right.

The Angels finally got their noses in front a minute later when a ball over the top from Akehurst saw Mackley outpace the defender before coolly lobbing the advancing Hariss.

A second goal was added after 39 minutes when Janes produced a sublime finish at the near post to turn a right wing cross into the bottom corner.

Any thoughts of floodgates opening where dispelled as the visitors spirits remained high despite the pattern of play continuing to be in a single direction.

Once again Sittingbourne’s organisation led to a frustrating 25 minutes for the Angels with Hariss denying Kelly Moran and Akehurst and Lauryn Underhill fired into the side netting.

For a period, following some Sittingbourne substitutions, the visitors threatened but the experienced Tonbridge back line largely kept them at arm’s length.

Nineteen minutes remained when Janes shrugged off challenges in the box before rounding the keeper to slide the ball into the unguarded net to effectively put the game to bed.

Helena Fothergill needed to be alert after being largely unemployed for long periods to race from her goal and clear and she fielded an effort from Georgia Winger to preserve her clean sheet before Tonbridge substitute Sara Walker was on hand to finish after some battling work from Akehurst.

A very decent attendance of 75 would have been impressed with a solid Angels performance, full of pace and movement and will be keeping fingers crossed for a home draw in the next round.

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 3 Crystal Palace Development 10

Match 16/18/1609 - Wednesday, 1st August 2018 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (0) 3 Janes 60 Mackley 62 Moran 85
Crystal Palace Development (7) 10 Sinden 18,25,31,40 Iton 32 Collett 36 Lock 44 Robinson 79,87 Spriggs 82
Estimated attendance: 100

Admission: £2 donation
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/811

Tonbridge Angels Ladies suffered a heavy defeat at Longmead against Crystal Palace Ladies Development, but the result didn’t reflect the nature of the game.

The Angels, who this season will play in Division One East following their promotion have strengthened their squad with the recruitment of Samantha Burton, previously with Palace, Karli Povey (Bexhill) and Becky Mackley (Gillingham).

Crystal Palace fielded a side that have had success through their various age groups and from the outset showed the quality of passing and movement that comes from being a part of a club from the higher reaches of women’s football.

But, for 20 minutes, Tonbridge held their own. Palace made several chances but found the Angels’ goalkeeper, Keila Tucker, who was loaned for the game, in fine form making several good saves but also doing well clearing her lines.

Crystal Palace finally made their breakthrough after 18 minutes when Alsaa Jabi set up Amy Sinden to strike into the bottom corner. Tucker did well to successively save at the feet of Sinden and Karesha Iton whilst Megan Akehurst saw an opportunity denied by the Palace goalkeeper, Charlotte Greenwood.

On 25 minutes the south London side doubled their advantage, once again through Sinden. This, unfortunately for the home side, signalled the start of a period of total dominance from the visitors in which they scored a further five goals before the break. Sinden completed her hat-trick from 20 yards; Iton’s shot went in off the underside of the bar; Hannah Collett added a fifth and Sinden took her tally to four before a 25 yard free kick from Tayla Lock made the half-time score a demoralising 7-0.

But the spirit of the Angels side shone through and demoralised they were not. After containing their visitors in the first quarter hour of the second period, they put their name on the scoreboard as a fine move saw Becky Janes race clear to slot the ball past Greenwood.

Within two minutes they found a second goal, this time Mackley and Akehurst combining well to end with Mackley finishing clinically.

Mackley might have reduced the arrears further barring some stout defending but two quick goals from Palace extended the lead again.

Perhaps the most joyous moment of the evening came when a 30 yard free kick from Kelly Moran went straight in but the delight was short-lived as Palace reached double figures with the final goal of the evening.

To concede 10 goals on the evening is far from a fair reflection of the game to which the Angels contributed greatly and, whilst they are expecting stiffer opposition than last season, it is unlikely they will face such a talented side in their league campaign.

On Friday, the Angels will find out who their first opponents will be in the FA Cup, we will bring you the details as soon as we know the outcome of the draw.

NB: For this report, I have taken the team sheet provided as gospel with reference to the Palace side.

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 3 Thamesview Ladies 1

Match 137/17/1587 - Thursday, 17th May 2018 - SECWL Kent Divisional Cup Final

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (1) 3 Akehurst 7,108 Janes 120+3
Thamesview Ladies (0) 1 Stilwell 86
Attendance: 305
After extra time, score at 90 minutes: 1-1
Played at Maidstone United FC

Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: £2 donation
Mileage: 20/8,721

There were moments in extra time when the unforgiving 3G surface at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium resembled a scene from the film Platoon as players from both sides fell to the ground, victims of the excruciating pain brought on by cramp. Tonbridge’s Alex Weston, who had suffered her own bout, aided friend and foe alike as the on-field physio. But, ultimately, it was how the cup was won. It took determination and a will-to-win attitude for the Angels to overcome their division’s champion side, Thamesview.

As has been Thamesview’s lot this season, despite their success, they came into the game with just one substitute and when they lost a player in the second half they had no more cards to play whilst the Tonbridge management were able to use the rolling substitutions to good effect.

The Angels were given a confidence boost with the opening goal after seven minutes. Becky Janes earned a foul after being the meat in a sandwich between two Thamesview defenders. Kelly Moran lofted the free kick to the far post where Megan Akehurst lost her marker to head home.

Thamesview responded with Tonbridge goalkeeper, Sam Wright plunging bravely at the feet of Lydia Wills and, after 13 minutes, saving low to her right to deny Kylie Yull.

Yull was looking a significant threat but pulled a shot wide whilst the division’s player of the season, Shannon Redhouse took advantage of a loose touch from Akehurst but fired wide. Redhouse had the odd opportunity but overall was supremely patrolled by Angels’ skipper Sharon Lyons.

Flo Anastasiou was lucky to be dealt with leniently when she committed a hand ball as Redhouse threatened to get behind the Tonbridge rearguard. The resultant free kick was delivered to the far post where the header from Wills was directed straight at the goalkeeper.

A good chance opened up for Janes just prior to the break but she took her shot a shade too early and Bronwyn Allen was able save with relative comfort.

The first real chances of the second period fell to Thamesview just past the hour mark when Rebecca Merritt shot narrowly past the far post and Redhouse wastefully fired wide and high when clear down the right hand side of the box.

Thamesview were being asked to throw caution to the wind and a shot from just outside of the box from Hannah Lorton was tipped over the bar by Wright, who was ultimately awarded player of the match for her fine display between the sticks (although personally, my award went to Lyons, who manager Dan Couldridge later described as the glue that holds everything together).

With just four minutes remaining, Tonbridge hearts were broken when a lofted ball into the area from Merritt found a hesitation between defender and goalkeeper that allowed Lucy Stillwell to get in between and steer the ball into an empty net to condemn the tired legs of both teams to an extra 30 minutes.

One little incidence of little note but telling in its commitment was a full throttle chase down the line between Janes and Thamesview’s Sian Cheedy, neither willing to give up a lost cause, a testament to both team’s fitness levels.

Extra-time though certainly took its toll as both sides struggled to gain momentum with fallen bodies strewn here, there and everywhere.

Three minutes into the second period, Akehurst (who had had a period of time substituted) chased down a long ball forward from Janes and as Cheedy tried to protect the ball for her goalkeeper to collect, under pressure, she only managed to touch it past her colleague for Akehurst to run the ball into the empty net.

With four minutes remaining, Tonbridge were offered the opportunity to put the game to bed when Akehurst was bundled over for a penalty. Janes’ shot came back off the cross bar and illegally took a second touch.

Janes’ despair was only to last until time-added when she latched onto a loose ball, created when the ball hit the face of Akehurst, to fire into the roof of the net from the right hand angle of the six yard box to seal a famous triumph that was greeted at the final whistle with tired limbs rejuvenated by the adrenaline of a first piece of silverware for the club.

All the good photographs are courtesy of David Couldridge, the blurry ones are not!

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 2 Thamesview Ladies 1

Match 127/17/1577 - Sunday, 29th April 2018 - Kent League Division 1

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (2) 2 Underhill 41 Gibb 43
Thamesview Ladies (0) 1
Headcount: 45

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/8,305

It was disappointing that a well-contested match between the Division’s top two sides ended with a situation in which two Thamesview players traded punches with a group on the sidelines who had made disparaging remarks in their direction. As the fight escalated other players from both sides became involved as the incident became very ugly. The two teams meet again in a Cup Final on 17th May, hopefully without the recriminations that dampened the celebrations for Tonbridge Angels Ladies who had inflicted the first defeat of the season on the champions.

Tonbridge went into the game missing a couple of players including their top scorer, and player of the year following the previous evening’s presentation night, Becky Janes.

The Angels started the game creating the opening opportunity after just 29 seconds when Megan Akehurst and Maisie Gibb set-up a chance for Becky Jarvis who drove her shot into the side netting.

Thamesview settled into their rhythm and they created a couple of openings that were fired wide before a long ball over the top was chased down by Gibb but her shot was wide of the post.

Tonbridge goalkeeper, Sam Wright, saved from the pacy visiting centre forward and dealt comfortably with a close range header from a corner.

Thamesview had a free kick that narrowly went the wrong side of the far post before Tonbridge took the lead after 41 minutes when a clearance from the goalkeeper hit Jarvis in the face with the ball falling for Akehurst to lay-off to Lauryn Underhill to fire home.

One quickly became two when Akehurst won the ball in midfield before releasing Jarvis to lob the goalkeeper. Remarks from the sideline following this goal sadly planted the seed for the later events.

Thamesview quickly reduced arrears in the second half when their centre forward stabbed the ball home to set up a second half onslaught that took resilience of the highest order to withstand with Sharon Lyons absolutely outstanding.

In truth, the second half was one-way traffic as the champions created and missed chance after chance, at times due to brave defending and others through sheer wastefulness.

The final whistle brought relief and should have brought great satisfaction to the home side but the disgraceful scenes at the end were not befitting of a pub side let alone ladies that had actually given the right-minded spectators a compelling encounter.

Award photographs: From the top: Becky Janes, Becky Jarvis and Sharon Lyons. Pictures by David Couldridge.

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 7 Diamond United Ladies 3

Match 115/17/1565 - Sunday, 8th April 2018 - Kent Divisional Cup SF

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (6) 7 Janes 1,9,11,45+3 Akehurst 30 Moran 45+1 (pen) Coombes 61
Diamond United Ladies (1) 3 Metland 6 Langstone 65,78
Attendance: 131

Donation: £2
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/7,793

Four first half goals from Becky Janes including an opening goal after just 15 seconds paved the way for Tonbridge Angels Ladies to reach their first ever cup final next month.

Ashford-based Diamond United were blown away in a devastating opening half-hour from the home side who flourished in the wide open spaces of Longmead Stadium.

Direct from the kick-off, Megan Akehurst sped clear down the right wing to deliver an inch perfect cross for Janes to glance a header past the visiting goalkeeper, Terri Bryant, who had remained rooted to her line.

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

To their credit, Diamond, who ply their trade in the division below the Angels, fought back to equalise after six minutes when Amy Metland fired a shot past Sam Wright with the referee allowing the crosser of the ball to play on despite the raising of a flag by the linesman.

Janes went close on eight minutes firing just wide of the post but, a minute later, curled an absolute beauty into the top corner from 20 yards to restore the Angels’ lead.

A fourth goal in the first 11 minutes came when a corner delivered by Alex Weston was headed home by Janes to complete a quick-fire hat-trick.

The Diamonds, backed by a noisy contingent in an impressive attendance of 131, were not lying down and stemmed the tide for a period before Janes turned provider sending Megan Akehurst clear to cooly convert past Bryant on the half-hour.

Diamond were very unlucky three minutes later when Jordan Langstone drove a shot across the face of goal and, after the ball was recycled, Olivia Macdonald smacked a shot against a post.

Chances fell to the Angels’ Akehurst and Janes before two goals in time-added effectively killed off the Diamond’s challenge. Becky Jarvis was bundled over in the box for Kelly Moran to convert from the spot and this was followed by Janes outpacing her markers to fire under the keeper for her fourth and Tonbridge’s sixth of the half.

The rolling substitutions took some of the momentum away from Tonbridge in the second half but they created chances with Janes being twice denied by the Diamond’s goalkeeper, who had played outfield in the first half.

The Angels went 7-1 in front just past the hour when Jody Coombes curled a free kick into the top corner.

With a six goal deficit it would be almost understandable if the visitor’s heads had gone down, but they should be given great credit for a stirring fightback that saw Langstone outpace the Angels’ defence to fire into the bottom corner after 65 minutes and then to repeat the act with 12 minutes remaining.

However, that was as good as it got for Diamond as the Angels closed out the game on the front foot with a couple of chances falling to Nancy Syrett and Coombes.

The final will be played at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on Thursday, 17th May against the winners of the other semi-final between Thamesview and Petts Wood.

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 2 Burgess Hill Ladies 5

Match 134/16/1441 - Thursday, 4th May 2017 - Friendly

Tonbridge Angels Ladies (1) 2 Akehurst 34 Kemp (pen) 62
Burgess Hill Town Ladies (4) 5
Attendance: 135

Entrance: £1 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/9,351

This was an interesting exercise as I watched my first Ladies match since my wife played for the original Tonbridge Angels team over 40 years ago. At the very top, the Women's Super League is lights years in advance of its predecessors, but below that just how much has the game changed?

In my opinion, admittedly with a fading memory of all those years ago, overall today's ladies are technically better as a team with certain skill sets decidedly better. Forty years ago, girls really did not want to head the ball, in this game there were defenders not only making good clearances with solid headers but also putting their heads in where it can hurt.

One area where I think there has been little change is the variance of ability, not only between the top and bottom clubs but also within the teams. In league games one team was beating another by a ridiculous scoreline and that is still happening today. The 1975 team relied on a couple of outstanding players, today Tonbridge have some gifted girls intermingled with some girls that are experiencing their first year of playing football.

Never mind the result, an impressive attendance of 135 embraced the occasion and doubtless went home satisfied with their evening’s entertainment as Tonbridge Angels Ladies produced a spirited performance against their visitors, Burgess Hill Town, who play their football at a step higher and have won a League Cup this season.

Tonbridge Angels Ladies have enjoyed a good first season, finishing fourth in the SECWFL Kent Division One and earned a cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur, a result of which we will gloss over!

A little nervousness of the occasion, perhaps a little rustiness from a month without a game for the home side, led to a opening half in which Burgess Hill took the game to their hosts leaving the Angels defending deeply and relying on Tracy Edwards in goal making several good saves.

Neither side were used to playing on a pitch as large as Longmead, which is around a third bigger than their normal home at Tonbridge Farm. In fact, even the Burgess Hill contingent were mentioning that their team was struggling to adapt to the vastness of space.

Burgess Hill created two chances in the opening five minutes, a shot and a header that Edwards was the equal of before Tonbridge had their first opportunity but leading goalscorer Abigail Skilton was unable to get the ball out from under her feet to get away a meaningful shot.

Burgess Hill continued to press, but Edwards continued to keep them at bay with a series of saves.

A superb through ball from skipper Bethany Kemp sent Rebecca Janes clear but the visiting goalkeeper saved at her feet.

Eventually, after 26 minutes, the Hillians pressure finally bore fruit as a poor clearance from Edwards fell at the feet of the Burgess Hill number 11 who did very well to lob the ball back into the unguarded goal from around 20 yards on an angle from the right hand side.

Unfortunately, the Tonbridge goalkeeper suffered an asthma attack soon after the goal was scored and needed to be replaced for the rest of the first half by Jodie Coombes, who has never played between the sticks before.

The game was played with rotating substitutions and Burgess Hill used this to regularly change their players and, after 32 minutes one of the subs was sent clear to bury a shot into the bottom corner to double their advantage.

Within two minutes, Tonbridge were back in the game when Megan Akehurst rounded the goalkeeper to finish into an empty net to delight the majority of the watching support.

The game half ended with a scoreline that reflected the visitors overall dominance but not the Angels’ effort when Burgess Hill scored twice in the space of two minutes right at the end of the 45 minutes. The Burgess Hill number 21 benefited from a fumble by the rookie goalkeeper and their number 2 was also sent through to finish well giving them a half-time score of 4-1.

In keeping with the spirited nature of the game, Edwards recovered sufficiently to retake her position as custodian of the Tonbridge goal for the second half.

The early period might have seen the game completely out of sight of the Angels as Burgess Hill had a period in which they produced some very good football. They hit the bar and in one attack cut the Tonbridge defence apart with a slick interchange of passes. But, to their credit, the girls hung on and just past the hour reduced the deficit when they were awarded a penalty after Lauryn Underhill was brought down. In a competitive fixture the Burgess Hill girl would have seen a red card but the referee acted charitably and failed to show her a card of any colour.

Beth Kemp fired in the spot kick and, albeit briefly, hopes were harboured of a comeback but, after 68 minutes, a shot from the left found the bottom corner to register the Sussex side’s fifth goal.

For an hour, Tonbridge’s Courtney Smith had produced the eye-catching performance in a blue shirt but the introduction of 16-year-old Maisie Gibb, who has only been training with the club a month, lit up the evening with her direct, very quick approach taking on defenders with an assured confidence and linking well with Janes to threaten the Hillians goal on a couple of occasions. If this fixture is replayed in a year’s time it is going to be fascinating to see the progression of young Maisie under the tutelage of Dan Couldridge and Rob Mardell.

As said at the beginning, never mind the result, on the night the Angels Ladies have done their town, their club and, most importantly, themselves proud and, hopefully, some of the attendance will consider returning for their League fixtures next season.

Pictures: Wes Filtness and Dave Couldridge