Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Horsham U18 3

Match 27/26/2454 - Monday, 28th September 2026 - FA Youth Cup 2QR

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Bingham 26 Byatt 64 Powers 72
Horsham U18 (0) 3
Tonbridge Angels win 4-1 on penalties
Attendance:
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,524

WHO LOVES A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT?

Who doesn’t love a penalty shoot-out? Perhaps, let’s rephrase that, who doesn’t love a penalty shoot-out win?

Tonbridge Angels U18’s held their nerve from the spot to take their place in the FA Youth Cup, Third Qualifying Round draw,

The Angels U18’s and their Horsham counterparts served up another classic encounter just five weeks after their thrilling league game at the Yeomans Community Stadium which finished 4-4.

There were so many similarities between the two games it was uncanny. Horsham, appearing the dominant side, fall behind; fight back but then find themselves 3-1 with the game seemingly at the Angels mercy but a stirring comeback saw the visitors take the game to its dreaded finale.

Although Horsham held the upper hand in the opening 25 minutes, neither side unduly threatened the other’s goal until a stunning hit from 25 yards from skipper Harry Bingham found the top corner to give the Angels a lead.

Horsham pressed hard for an equaliser but despite narrow misses from successive free kicks, the home side held firm to take their lead into the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Horsham were level, courtesy of a combination of defensive errors that allowed an easy finish.

On the hour, the Angels introduced Anselm Redwood-Sawyerr, a 15 year-old winger from the U16’s Kent Youth League side and his pace on the right, swung the game towards the home side.

On 64 minutes, a corner was bundled home at close range by Dexter Byatt and, on 72 minutes, Redwood-Sawyerr’s run and cross was met at the far post with a stunning volley from Jude Powers to give the Angels a 3-1 lead.

Alarm bels from the league game sounded clear as a bell as Alfie McGuire was beaten at his near post to reduce the deficit with four minutes remaining and, within 60 seconds, the referee was pointing to the spot as a clumsy challenge brought down the forward with the spot kick converted.

Both goalkeepers were brought into action before the referee signalled the penalty shoot-out. The Angels opened the scoring from the spot through Bingham to which Horsham equalised, but the visitors missed the target with their next two whilst Harry Ejje and Jack Denton converted. This left Redwood-Sawyerr to step up with a composed finish to spark delirium among the Tonbridge ranks.

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Erith and Belvedere U18 2

Match 24/26/2451 - Monday, 15th September 2026 - FA Youth Cup 1QR

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Elms 16 Redwood-Sawyerr 52 Denton 76
Erith and Belvedere U18 (2) 2 Lassey 10,19
Attendance: 160
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,410

FA YOUTH CUP JOURNEY BEGINS

Tonbridge Angels progressed to the FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round with a thrilling comeback victory against a competitive Erith and Belvedere side.

Much like the FA Cup for their senior counterparts, the First Round is the holy grail for non-league clubs that enter through the qualifying rounds or even a preliminary round.

Although the competition dates back to 1952, Tonbridge Angels didn’t enter the competition until 1960 after Harry Haslam had formed the JACs that produced players such as Malcolm McDonald and Tony Burns, but with money tight (as usual) and with Haslam moving on to Luton Town, the JACS were folded.

In 1990, under the guidance of Phil Emblem, the youth programme was revived and in 1999, coached by present-day director Geoff Curtis and Mike Bender, Tonbridge Angels reached the First Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time where they were drawn to play Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park. They returned to Longmead Stadium with a very creditable 2-2 draw after being 2-0 in front, but were unfortunately beaten 3-0 in the replay.

A year later the main draw was once again reached with the Angels again given an away draw this time against Football League opposition in the shape of Bristol Rovers. For over an hour, Tonbridge did more than hold their own, but once they conceded on 68 minutes, the full time fitness of the league club took over and they eventually prevailed by 4-0.

The Angels now had a rich vein of first round appearances and 2001 saw them visit Yeovil Town, who were managed by Gary Johnson and had his son Lee in their side at Huish Park, but once more the second round eluded them, after leading 1-0 at half-time, they lost 2-1.

In 2004, the first round was reached with a visit to Leyton Orient where a Tom Reeves penalty at Orient was the only reward in a 3-1 defeat.

The Youth programme at the club took a backward step and it was not until 2025, 21 years later, that the club secured a place in the first round. On the face of it, a draw at Merstham appeared an opportunity to progress to the second round but, it was not what it appeared. Merstham were just the badge holders for the Volenti Academy, part of the Crystal Palace development programme who had progressed to a tie at Stamford Bridge and the fourth round the season previous. Dom Welsh’s team had little luck, striking the woodwork twice and having a goal disallowed in a 6-1 defeat.

In the intervening years there have been some classic qualifying games including in 2016 an epic 5-5 draw with Maidstone United, with the visitors going through on penalties and in 2021 a visit to Aldershot Town that brought a performance that was to be proud of, but a 2-0 defeat.

Erith and Belvedere’s U18’s compete in the Kent Youth League, not necessarily a level below, but were far from overawed by the occasion and went ahead after 10 minutes when Joseph Lassey cut in from the left to fire a shot into the top corner past a despairing Alfie McQuire.

Their lead was to last for six minutes when Xavier Elms nodded home from close range converting a cross stood up from Harry Ejje.

To complete a frantic opening 20 minutes, Erith restored their lead when Lassey repeated his run, this time burying his shot low into the corner.

The visitors will be regretting a golden opportunity after 22 minutes to double their advantage when following a determined run from Jayden Thomas, Lassey inexplicably cleared the bar from very close range.

The game was open, end to end, with the visiting goalkeeper, Riley Butt saving well to deny Ejje.

The second half was more structured and Tonbridge benefited from the change in application. After 52 minutes, Elms set up Anselm Redwood-Sawyerr to equalise and after dominating the second period the home side were awarded a penalty after substitute Alfie Murray was brought down.

Harry Bingham took the responsibility for the spot kick and saw his shot parried out by Butt, but Jack Denton reacted quickest to the rebound to score.

The first round remains a journey away but the first steps have been taken.

Tonbridge Angels U18 4 Horsham U18 4

Match 14/26/2441 - Monday, 17th August 2026 - Isthmian Youth League East

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 4 Bingham 30,55 (pens) Ejje 48 Byatt 90+4
Horsham U18 (1) 4 Harrington 36 Burrows 70 Theodore 74 Semark 83 (pen)
Headcount: 75
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/678

WHAT A MATCH!

Make a note in the diary, 30th November might only be midway through the Isthmian Youth League East season, but I’m willing to bet my pocket money that Horsham v Tonbridge Angels will be the title decider.

No disrespect to any of the other teams in the division, but if I see a better U18’s side than Horsham, I’ll be amazed and it is great credit to Roy Massey’s Angels that they fought their way to a share of the points.

This was a great watch, full of twists and turns with a 94th minute equaliser to conclude the entertainment.

Horsham, who have moved from the Southern Division where, last season, they surprisingly trailed some way behind a very good Burgess Hill team, picked up the momentum after an opening 20 minutes when neither side wanted to lay a glove on the other and, in quick succession, Semark was narrowly off target with shots that cleared the bar.

Against the run of play, Tonbridge went in front from the penalty spot when Jayden Taylor was brought down following a clumsy challenge leaving Harry Bingham to convert from the spot.

Horsham responded with an effort from Harrington, but he was not to be denied on 39 minutes when persistence from Theodore saw him pull the ball back from the byeline for the former to strike from close range.

Tonbridge’s goalkeeper, Tyler Pett, picked up a yellow as he raced from his goal to thwart a Horsham attack and, from the resultant free kick, made a good save.

Massey’s half-time team talk had the desired effect and Tonbridge roared out of the blocks in the second period and were back in front after three minutes when the impressive Harry Ejje collected a pass from the right to fire into the bottom corner. Ejje is certainly one to watch in the coming weeks.

Tonbridge increased their lead after 55 minutes when they were awarded a second penalty after Ejje was brought down and, once more, Bingham stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.

Pett took a kick in the face as he bravely dived at the feet of Essam and the long delay almost served as a hydration break as Horsham rallied strongly following a touchline huddle.

After 70 minutes they reduced the deficit to one when a left-sided cross from Semark was headed back across the face of goal to be finished at close range by Burrows and, within four minutes, they were level when a pass inside of the defender from Whiteman found Theodore, who drove an unstoppable shot past Pett.

There seemed an inevitability that the visitors would find a winner and with three minutes remaining they were offered the opportunity from the penalty spot following a handball with Semark converting.

To the Angels credit, they strove for an equaliser in seven minutes of added time, but were frustrated in the 94th minute when Furber made a good save from Taylor, but from the resultant corner, Byatt headed home to bring a fair result to a wonderfully entertaining evening.

Roll on November, when these two teams go head-to-head again.

Pictures: Alfie Thomas

Tonbridge Angels U18 4 FC Revo 3

Match 11/26/2438 - Monday, 4th August 2026 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (3) 4 Penman 27,35 Barton 38 #11 60
FC Revo (1) 3 Crouch 37,47,85
Headcount: 54
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/414

PRE-SEASON DONE!

Finally, that was that! Pre-season is done, and probably a sentence not often spoken out loud, looking forward to Braintree.

The final match took in another look at Tonbridge Angels U18’s who pitched themselves against Kent County League, Premier Division, FC Revo, who are based at St Gregory’s School in Tunbridge Wells. Revo have experienced a highly successful rise through the lower tiers with four successive promotions from the Sevenoaks and District League to the final tier below that of the national league pyramid.

The Angels U18’s, playing against a mens’ team, included a couple of players from last season’s championship winning side in Fiachra Pritchard and Robert Penman, who are no longer eligible for the age group.

Revo started the game strongly with a couple of chances for the big centre forward but these were spurned with disappointing finishes. Tonbridge, moving the ball around nicely, took the lead after 27 minutes when Penman dribbled across the face of goal before despatching his shot into the bottom corner in true Penman fashion, his goals are going to be hard to replace.

Emphasising that point, after 35 minutes, from a pass, Penman picked out the top corner from 20 yards to double their advantage.

Revo, to their credit, were not at the Yeomans to provide cannon fodder for anyone and, within two minutes, an equally impressive strike from Crouch into the bottom corner made it 2-1. But the comeback was stalled within a minute when a free kick from the edge of the box saw Kyler Barton spot the gap between wall and goalkeeper to execute perfectly.

Revo once more reduced the deficit early in the second half with another good strike from Crouch before the Angels #11, waltzed his way to the bye-line before tucking the ball inside the far post from a ridiculously tight angle.

The visitors wound up the evening, with a hat-trick goal for Crouch with another good strike. We had certainly seen some good goals for our free admission.

I’m pleased with myself that I did all of my scheduled games this pre-season, didn’t skip one because I was getting a little bored. But now, with huge anticipation and the eternal optimism of a football fan, let’s get on with the real stuff.

Tonbridge Angels U18/19 3 Gillingham U16 0

Match 8/26/2436 - Monday, 27th July 2026 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels U18/19 (2) 3 Bingham 18,63 Denton 20
Gillingham U16 (0) 0
Attendance: 110
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/336

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!

It came as no surprise that the youngsters of Tonbridge Angels and Gillingham served up the best preseason game I’ve seen this season.

Entertaining, competitive with even a slight edge to it and with no shortage of quality, the extra year or two, saw a mix of Tonbridge U18’s and Academy (U19’s) take what spoils there are from a friendly with a 3-0 win over a Gillingham side largely made up from their Under-16 group.

This season is another big one in terms of transition for the youth programme at Tonbridge Angels. Last season brought the very successful reintroduction of the Kent Youth League teams under the Angels badge and this has been followed by the Academy being brought in-house this season.

Men’s first team manager, Alan Dunne, has bought into the project and in a recent interview, he pledged that he would be using players from the Academy this year, there are opportunities for them and has signed three on National League South forms.

Adding that he would have Academy players training with the senior team as his blueprint would be to bed them into the environment and use them as and when appropriate. This would, in turn, attract better academy players with the knowledge that there is a clear pathway through to senior football.

On a pleasantly warm evening, with the heat of the day receding, both teams showed their attacking intentions from the outset with the Angels’ Harry Bingham forcing a save from the Gills goalkeeper after just two minutes and the visitors replying with efforts that required saving by Alfie McGuire.

Tonbridge went ahead after 18 minutes when a 20 yard shot from Bingham found the bottom corner and they doubled their advantage two minutes later when a run and pass from Harry Ejje set up a shooting opportunity for Jack Denton to find the bottom corner.

Gillingham passed up several opportunities to reduce the deficit with a header that drifted narrowly wide and a shot into the side netting before McGuire made an excellent save as the Gills centre forward went through one-on-one.

Tonbridge certainly had the better of the second period with Amnol Bhandari bringing a good, low save out of the keeper before, on 63 minutes, Bingham wrapped up the game when the ball fell to him in the area following a corner and he clinically drove it home from around 12 yards.

All very satisfying, and Dom Welsh said afterwards, that his team had applied themselves really well and were very comfortable.

Both the Angels sides have history to continue, with the Under-18’s Isthmian divisional champions for the last two seasons and the Academy will be looking to return to being a force in the National Youth Alliance after a season that didn’t quite meet the success of their recent past.

On this evidence, I’ve little doubt, that it will be entertaining.

Picture: Jim Case

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Burgess Hill Town U18 4

Match 82/25/2424 - Monday, 4th May 2026 - Isthmian Youth League Champion of Champions SF

Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 2 Fincham 2 Sulovari 22
Burgess Hill Town (0) 4 Golabzadeh 57,90+2, 90+7 OG 90+5
Headcount: 65
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,062

ADDED TIME DESPAIR

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s suffered heartbreak as three goals in added time saw them exit the Champion of Champions playoffs.

Leading 2-0 at half-time, there was a sense that the third goal in the tie was going to be pivotal and when it went to the visitors, Burgess Hill Town, the second half unraveled in dramatic fashion.

Skipper and central defensive lynchpin, Ed Dyer, needed to be substituted due to illness and, in a moment of uncharacteristic madness, Lucas Kernan saw red handing the visitors the initiative to launch their stunning comeback.

Manager Dom Welsh: “Everything went wrong in the second half, losing Ed (Dyer), the sending off, but no excuses, these things happen and we wish Burgess Hill good luck in the final.”

The Angels couldn’t have asked for a better start, going ahead after just two minutes when a cross from River Ballach evaded Robert Penman at the near post but fell invitingly for Callum Fincham to lash home.

Jacob Hunt made a good save from Burgess Hill’s Luca Oliva as the visitors looked for an immediate response but it was the Angels who were comfortably controlling the game and went two-up in the 22nd minute when good movement between Mackenzie Richardson and Ballach saw the ball pulled back for Dani Sulovari to score.

The search for a third goal saw efforts from Fiachra Pritchard and Nathaniel Waul saved whilst a header from Dyer drifted wide.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Burgess Hill served notice that they were far from out of the game with a shot from Eddie Jimenez that rattled the crossbar; Hunt saving from Xander Silverthorne and a miraculous goal line clearance from George Vassilev.

A defensive reshuffle was required as Dyer needed to be replaced, but the chances came again as Fincham, Penman, Richardson and Vassilev peppered the visitors goal.

But on 57 minutes, a goalkeeping error allowed Burgess Hill an open goal gratefully accepted.

Penman was sent clear but denied by good goalkeeping from Jake Rhodes and on 77 minutes, the lively Bardia Golabzadeh struck the post.

Kernan was shown a red card for retaliation with 10 minutes remaining and it became backs to the wall as Burgess Hill threw everything forward in search of an equaliser that seemed inevitable.

But the clock had ticked into seven minutes of added time when the resistance was finally broken with a surging run and cross from Jimenez was headed home by Golabzadeh.

Two minutes later, an own goal saw the ball spin past a wrong footed Hunt and, in the very final act, Golabzadeh cemented a fine performance with a fourth goal.

A quick turnaround to Wednesday’s Kent Intermediate Cup Final doesn’t allow the Angels youngsters time to dwell on what might have been’s but for the fourth time the Champion of Champions has eluded them.

Tonbridge Angels U18 7 AFC Whyteleafe 2

Match 68/25/2410 - Monday, 23rd March 2026 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (5) 7
AFC Whyteleafe U18 (2) 2
Headcount: 45
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,177

ONE LAST STEP REQUIRED!

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s took one more step towards retaining their Isthmian Youth League East title with a surprisingly comfortable win over AFC Whyteleafe.

Last week’s reverse fixture was a tightly contested win for the Angels that could have gone either way and when the Surrey side took a 2-1 lead after 22 minutes much of the same was expected.

But the U18’s stepped up a gear and three late first half goals took the game away from the visitors.

After a bright opening from Whyteleafe, the Angels took the lead on seven minutes when Mackenzie Richardson was sent clear by River Ballach, he saw his initial shot parried back into his path by the goalkeeper to finish at the second attempt.

The lead was only to last five minutes when an uncharacteristic mistake from Jacob Hunt allowed a tap in for the equaliser and following a free kick, a header put the visitors in front.

Stung into a response, Richardson struck the underside of the bar before Ballach’s cross was finished at the far post by Robert Penman on the half-hour.

Ballach added a goal to his two assists when his cross-cum-shot sailed over the keeper’s head into the far corner to put the Angels in front.

The Angels youngsters were now dominant and two goals in first half added time saw them enter the break with a comfortable lead. Richardson set up Callum Fincham for the fourth and with the last kick of the half, Penman added his second.

Despite it being one-way traffic into the second period, it took until the 68th minute to add a sixth when Penman completed his hat-trick from a tight angle.

Three minutes from time substitute Kyler Barton added a seventh to set up the finale at Haywards Heath next month whilst expecting Cobham to win their remaining two games.

As the youth season begins to wind down, perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the progress made in the youth programme at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

Five years ago, I stepped down from the board at Tonbridge Angels, frustrated that the previous U18 set up had seen its demise and the prospect of regaining control of the club’s Kent Youth League teams from Tonbridge Juniors seemingly impossible.

Under the club’s chair, Sophie Purves, who shared my frustration, the 3G pitch was laid which firstly allowed the reinstatement of the Isthmian U18 side, and subsequently this season, the KYL sides returning to our badge that has already brought a title for the U16’s; a potential title and a Cup Final for the U15’s; at worst a runners-up spot for the U14’s and a solid season after a shaky start for the youngest group at U13.

The next stage of the development sees the Academy brought in-house completing the pathway from U13 through to the senior team. It has been a while since Sonny Miles made that journey, but now, the pathway is in place for someone to emulate his achievement.

There is much more to be done in both the boys and girls programme, but the Sophie and her board have shown the desire to further the set-up and Tonbridge Angels will be a stronger and better club for it.

Picture: Emma Wheeler

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Cray Wanderers U23 0

Match 57/25/2399 - Monday, 16th February 2026 - Kent Intermediate Cup Semi-Final

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 1 Fincham 41
Cray Wanderers (0) 0
Headcount: 70
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,434

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s have reached the final of the Kent Intermediate Cup, a competition that is principally contested by U23 sides.

The Angels route to the final has seen them eliminate Lordswood, Margate, Deal Town and, in last night’s semi-final, Cray Wanderers, all of which from the older age group.

The final will be held on Wednesday, 6th May at Chatham Town against the winners of Wednesday’s other semi-final between Hollands and Blair and Faversham Town.

For a little bit of historical context, the Kent Intermediate Cup was entered into in the early 2000’s by Tonbridge’s reserve sides and was won in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012 and, for the last time in 2013.

Cray Wanderers were considered to be the favourites for the competition and proved stern opposition for Dom Welsh’s side, who fielded a couple of the Academy U19’s in Ollie Thomson and Noah Millis.

As expected the game was competitive from the outset with neither side gaining any sense of dominance. The Angels opening opportunity came on the quarter hour when Thomson narrowly headed wide following a corner with chances coming at the other end that never really tested Jacob Hunt.

On 30 minutes a last gasp block denied Richardson’s shot but, four minutes before the break, it was Richardson’s cross that saw Callum Fincham steal in unchallenged to head home and give the Angels a half-time lead that might have been doubled as Fiachra Pritchard’s effort drifted agonisingly wide.

The second half was never going to be anything other than a backs-to-the-wall commitment from the Angels with the missiles that were being thrown into the area from Cray’s Archie Morley, without doubt the longest throw-in’s seen at this level.

But, superbly marshalled by captain Ed Dyer, the Tonbridge youngsters stayed strong and, barring a couple of scares, they restricted the visitors to absolutely nothing that troubled Hunt.

The vocal band of brothers behind the goal greeted the Under-18’s with well-deserved appreciation that they accord a senior team success.

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 AFC Croydon Athletic 0

Match 54/25/2396 - Monday, 9th February 2026 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Fincham 63 Penman 81
AFC Croydon Athletic U18 (0) 0
Headcount: 40
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,264

Tonbridge Angels U18’s began their make or break month with a win at the Yeomans Community Stadium against bottom club AFC Croydon Athletic who conspired to ease the Angels path with an indisciplined performance that saw two players sent off.

Perversely the remaining players showed great discipline and resilience, alongside an outstanding display from their goalkeeper to leave the Angels waiting until just past the hour mark to finally break the deadlock.

A couple of slip-ups at the turn of the year has left the U18’s probably needing to win every remaining game to defend their title including home and away fixtures against their principal challengers AFC Whyteleafe.

In the midst of these games they also have a Kent Intermediate Cup semi-final at home to Cray Wanderers.

A sign of what was to come came as early as the ninth minute when the Croydon #3 picked up a booking for an unnecessary trip.

Tonbridge, as would be expected, made most of the early running with Robert Penman shooting over; River Ballach testing the goalkeeper and Callum Fincham steering a very presentable chance wide, but Croydon had also shown that they had something about them not reflected by their league position with their #8 to the fore.

The game had its pivotal moment on 24 minutes when following an Angels corner, a couple of players grappling fell to the ground which led to, we are led to believe, the Croydon #8 kicking out, leading to a melee in which most players of both sides became involved with management from both clubs rushing onto the pitch to act as peacemakers.

As always in these incidents, the referee was left with an almost impossible situation to unravel but came to the conclusion that the #8 as the perpetrator saw red.

With the man advantage, the direction of play became one way, but the Angels bemoaned wayward finishing and superb goalkeeping as the visitors almost got to the break without conceding but were to be reduced to nine men as the #3 picked up a second yellow for pulling back Penman who was about to race clear.

Croydon set up in the second half with two banks of four encamped across their 18 yard line and when the Angels broke those lines, the goalkeeper was equal to Harry Bingham and Callum Fincham.

The breakthrough finally came on 63 minutes when a cross from Ballach found Fincham arriving late into the box to drive home a shot that not even the Croydon keeper could lay a hand on.

Perhaps sensing that they needed something extraordinary, Croydon hit a shot goalwards directly from the restart that needed Jacob Hunt to back peddle and catch on his line.

The corner count in Tonbridge’s favour became endless with one, after 80 minutes rebounding from the bar, but a minute later, Nathaniel Waul played in Penman, who from a fairly acute angle, smashed his shot into the roof of the net.

In the last minute, Ashton Lucas saw his shot come back off the underside of the bar before the referee brought down the curtain on a slightly crazy night.

Tonbridge Angels U18 4 Broadbridge Heath U18 0

Match 49/25/2391 - Monday, 19th January 2026 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 4 OG, Barton, Fincham, Edwards
Broadbridge Heath U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 40
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/2,858

The Under-18’s returned to winning ways, after last week’s disappointing defeat at Cobham with a comfortable 4-0 win against Broadbridge Heath at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

The Angels youngsters maintain their position in third place in the Isthmian Football League U18 East Division, two points adrift of leaders AFC Whyteleafe, with both home and away fixtures remaining to be played. Cobham, who have played a game more, are sandwiched between the two.

Tonbridge were somewhat eased into a position of comfort much by the visitors’ own doing. Firstly, they conceded an own goal with only 20 seconds on the clock and then, after 26 minutes, were reduced to 10 men when they had a player sent off after being deemed the last man when committing a foul.

Dom Welsh introduced three Under-16’s to the squad, Joel Letsa, Arthur Edwards and Lewis Egbewumni and Edwards got his name on the score sheet with a towering header in the final throes of the game.

A great link-up down the right in the opening attack ended with River Ballach crossing for a Broadbridge defender to turn the ball into his own net at the near post for a perfect start for the Angels.

It gave the Angels the confidence to showcase their passing and movement to which Broadbridge found difficult to counter. After 12 minutes a free kick from Mackenzie Richardson came back off the crossbar and, four minutes later, the goalkeeper produced an absolute world class save to deny River Ballach.

When Robert Penman was dragged back for the referee to brandish a red card, hotly disputed, both on the sidelines and by the offender, the task was an uphill one for Broadbridge Heath.

After Bingham had hit the bar on 32 minutes, Tonbridge doubled their advantage three minutes later with a well worked goal, created by Bingham and Richardson, and finished by Kyler Barton, the Angels were well in control and went into the break three goals up when Callum Fincham intercepted a wayward pass to run clear and finish well into the bottom corner.

All credit to Broadbridge Heath who made it hard for the Angels to add to the tally in the second half and it was almost on the stroke of the 90th minute when Edwards header wrapped up the points.

The introduction of the three Under-16’s means that nine from that age group have played up a year this season, a great testament to the coaching of Adam Barden and Roy Massey with the Kent Youth League U16’s.

Tonbridge Angels U18 8 Lancing U18 0

Match 40/25/2382 - Monday, 8th December 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 8 Ballach Waul (2) Penman (3) Pritchard Fincham
Lancing U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 50
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/2,393

Tonbridge Angels U18 0 Horsham U18 3

Match 37/25/2379 - Monday, 24th November 2025 - Isthmian Youth League Cup

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 0
Horsham U18 (2) 3 Essam 5 Colyer (pen) 45 Hastings 55
Attendance: 50
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/2,283
Match Report

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Cray Wanderers U18 1

Match 23/25/2366 - Monday, 15th September 2025 - FA Youth Cup 1QR

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3
Cray Wanderers (1) 1
Attendance: 82
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,645

Tonbridge Angels U18’s progressed in the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening with a hard-earned win over Cray Wanderers.

The Angels produced an excellent second half performance after an opening 45 minutes which reflected the 1-1 scoreline.

Dom Welsh reflected: “It was a solid performance against good opposition. We controlled the first half in terms of possession but lacked a threat and looked vulnerable, but without the error, we would have gone in ahead.”

Tonbridge took the lead on the half-hour, but prior to the opening goal, the game had been tit-for-tat in terms of chances. For Cray Wanderers, Samuel Robinson was a constant threat bringing saves from Jacob Hunt and also seeing an effort narrowly go wide, whilst the visiting goalkeeper, Kevin Kardell saved from Ashton Lucas and Robert Penman.

The Angels lead came from the penalty spot, stroked home by Mackenzie Richardson after Kardell had brought down Lucas as the was through one-on-one with the keeper.

Cray responded with an effort from Louis Edwards and a header from Leroy Adedoyin that perhaps should have brought them level. But, they were gifted an equaliser with five minutes remaining in the half when, playing out from the back, a misplaced pass from Hunt left Finlay Flint with the unguarded goal at his mercy.

Tonbridge took the game, in the second half, to their opponents, although Hunt needed to be at his best to turn over the crossbar a goal bound effort from Billy Wall. The Angels restored their lead, on 66 minutes, when a corner fell at the feet of substitute Nathaniel Waul, who fired through a crowd of bodies to fine the net.

Having survived another awkward moment via a poor back pass that went unpunished, the Angels wrapped up the game with eight minutes remaining when Fiachra Pritchard slid home a finish at the far post after good work from Penman.

The draw for the Second Qualifying Round will be made on Friday, 19th September.

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Three Bridges U18 2

Match 14/25/2357 - Monday, 18th August 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Barton 77 Hunt 90+6
Three Bridges U18 (2) 2 Byrne 19 Hayden-Pickering 39
Attendance: 56
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/879

It was Tonbridge Angels Jimmy Glass moment* (which for an Under-18 side is way beyond the dim and distant past).

The Angels U18’s had fought hard for an equaliser that appeared out of their reach as they earned a 96th minute corner. With nothing to lose, up came goalkeeper Jacob Hunt to add another body into the mix. The ball fell into a melee of bodies but was finally at the feet of Hunt who stabbed it home from six yards to spark joyous celebrations.

Dominic Welsh, who was short of four regular starters from which to choose his first competitive team of the season, commented after the game: “We were poor at times and not on the right side of some questionable decisions, but we regrouped and changed formation to suit the personnel we had. It was a game of two halves but it was just a little chaotic!”

It was a point that seemed highly unlikely as the visitors, Three Bridges, dominated the opening half and went into the break with a deserved two goal advantage.

Three Bridges were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead on 19 minutes. Hunt had made a great save, low to his right, pushing the ball away for a corner. But the reprieve was short lived as from the resultant corner, central defender Zak Byrne rose highest to head home.

The visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after a foul that allowed Connor Hayden-Pickering to strike the ball into the roof of the net, giving Hunt no chance.

The Angels, obviously responding to a flea in the ear during the break, had a more positive mindset in the second period with Kyler Barton seeing a shot deflected over the bar and Ashton Lucas frustrated by the Three Bridges goalkeeper.

Barton finally got just rewards for his endeavour as a fine through ball sent him clear to beat the advancing goalkeeper.

Three Bridges had chances to put the game to bed before Hunt’s heroics brought the game to its dramatic conclusion.

*Jimmy Glass scored an injury time goal for Carlisle United against Plymouth in 1999 that kept his side in the Football League.

Tonbridge Angels U18 6 Staplehurst Monarchs 1

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

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

Tonbridge Angels U18 0 Kingstonian U18 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Chatham Town U18 1

Match 79/24/2318 - Monday, 3rd March 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 3 Penman 15 Fabimafobee 42 Fincham 85
Chatham Town U18 (1) 1 Chime 8
Attendance: 35
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,640

It’s a well used cliche, but as the title race in the Isthmian Youth East Division moves into its final three games, Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s manager said after his side’s 3-1 win over Chatham Town: “We have to take each game as it comes, ultimately it seems likely that we will need to win all three of our remaining games and hope that Welling slip up somewhere.”

On paper, Welling United’s run-in looks a little tougher than the Angels, who also hold a significant advantage in terms of goal difference and many eyes will be focusing on Wednesday evening’s match between Sutton Common Rovers (not out of the race) and Welling at Whyteleafe.

On Monday evening, the Angels recovered from going a goal behind on eight minutes to lead 2-1 at the break before adding a third goal with five minutes remaining. Dom Welsh said of the game: “We were not at our best but we had our good moments. It got a bit tense, but we defended really well and, bar the goal, they didn’t really have a shot of note at goal.”

Chatham’s opener came when a through ball to Fallon Chime saw the Angels defence looking for an offside decision that never came and allowing the forward to clinically finish.

Tonbridge’s response was good and they were quickly back on level terms when good work down the right from River Ballach saw his cross deftly turned in at the near post by Robert Penman, whose goal was his 20th of the season.

Tonbridge now had the momentum and with Tolu Fabimafobee coming to the fore, the Chats were under a good deal of pressure with the winger twice testing the goalkeeper.

Chatham were never out of the game though, forcing successive corners and, from one a header from Clarence Tambe was narrowly wide.

But the Angels took a lead into the break when they scored on 42 minutes after the goalkeeper had made successive saves from Noah Millis, the follow-up from Ishe Hunidzarira, before the ball broke for Fabimafobee to bury into the corner.

Whilst the Angels dominated the second half with a shot from Callum Fincham that was deflected wide on 64 minutes and a goal disallowed on 79 minutes, there was a huge sigh of relief when a header from Chatham Colin Igboma cleared the bar.

The game was finally made safe with five minutes remaining when the ever-dangerous Fabimafobee set up Fincham to finish well from the left side of the box.

Dom Welsh added: “We can only do what is in our own hands, but if Welling go on and win every one of their last seven games you have to congratulate them and say they have deserved it.”

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Sheppey United U18 5

Match 72/24/2311 - Monday, 10th February 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3
Sheppey United U18 (4) 5 Fabimafobee 17, Fincham 74 Larkin 88
Attendance: 35
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,088

In the last week Sheppey United have turned the table on its head and blown open the entire title race with last week’s stunning win against Sutton Common Rovers backed-up with another eye-catching win at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium against our own Under-18’s.

When asked about Sheppey’s week, Dom Welsh commented: “They have massively blown the title race apart. Fair play to them, they came with a plan and executed well, but having said that, we had enough chances to win two or three games. There are five big games ahead of us now.”

Anybody that was disregarding the visitors last week was given an early wake-up call as Sheppey swept into the lead with just 35 seconds on the clock when a strapping Sheppey forward collected a pass, cut in from the right to powerfully strike at the near post.

A positive response to the setback was needed and got as Ashton Lucas saw his effort well saved and from a short corner routine the goalkeeper was once again equal to an effort from Callum Fincham but the Angels found an equaliser, after 17 minutes, when Tolu Fabimafobee capitalised on the poor clearance to race clear, fire in a shot that was helped into the net by a Sheppey defender.

The next 20 minutes saw the Angels with all the momentum but finding a goalkeeper enjoying his evening with good saves from Harry Barton, Rush Broderick and Lucas before two goals in three minutes from the visitors stunned the home side. Both came from wickedly in-swinging corners from the left by J. Lacko, the first met with a header at the near post after 35 minutes and, three minutes later, the more of the same, with this time the ball appearing to go straight in.

Three minutes before the break, Sheppey added a fourth when Lacko found a team mate with time and space to score from around 10 yards.

Despite a positive response in the second half, the Angels fell further behind on 73 minutes when a free kick was headed on for an easy finish at the far post.

A spirited finish to the game saw the Angels pull two goals back, goals that who knows might prove vital at the end of the season. On 74 minutes a shot from Ashvir Banwait was deflected into the path of Fincham and after the goalkeeper thwarted efforts from Adam Larkin, Fabimafobee and Fincham, Larkin added a third from close range with a couple of minutes to go.

Tonbridge Angels U18 5 Welling United U18 3

Match 64/24/2303 - Monday, 20th January 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 5 Larkin 16 Fabimafobee 47,63,69 Hunidzarira 71
Welling United U18 (1) 3 Cragg 9,74,77
Attendance: 35
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/4,544

Tonbridge Angels Under-18s stretched their lead at the top of the Isthmian Youth League to five points on Monday evening with a 5-3 win over a Welling United side that will be similarly challenging for the title come April. Sutton Common Rovers reduced the lead the following evening with a 2-1 win at Maidstone United and remain the favourites with their couple of games in hand.

To round up a couple of games that went unreported, on 6th January, the Angels and Maidstone fought out an uninspiring 1-1 draw at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium. A dour game that was out of character for these two sides saw Maidstone hold a lead at half-time with Adam Larkin rescuing a point from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.

On 15th January the top two went head to head in an epic encounter at Whyteleafe that saw 11 goals from a first half that produced eight of them! Tonbridge raced into a 3-0 and 4-2 lead before the half-time whistle saw the game at 5-3 to the Angels. The second half was a bit tighter but Sutton Common pulled the game back to 5-5 before our U18s found the winner. Our goals came from Callum Fincham (2), Robert Penman (2), Tolu Fabimafobee (2). If the season is kept alive until the final games, the encounter back at Whyteleafe on 19th March could be monumental!

Monday evening’s game was an entertaining encounter, as is always the case with fixtures against Welling, with Dom Welsh having to shuffle his squad with 15 year-old goalkeeper Jacob Hunt making his debut.

Tonbridge opened the game brightly but fell behind against the run of play on nine minutes when Alfie Cragg took advantage of a defensive mix-up to pass the ball into an unguarded goal.

The Angels responded well to the set back with the goalkeeper turning over a good effort from Larkin but on 16 minutes, following good work from Noah Millis, Larkin cracked home a good finish to level the score.

The game became very end-to-end with chances falling the way of Fabimafobee and Penman whilst at the other end, Hunt made three good saves.

Only two second half minutes had elapsed when the Angels took the lead when River Ballach’s cross was fired into the bottom corner from Fabimafobee.

Tonbridge took control of the game with Fabimafobee causing the Welling backline all sorts of problems with his direct runs on goal, culminating just past the hour, when a run from deep saw him dribble the ball through the defence before finishing well.

Two goals in two minutes appeared to have put the game well beyond the visitors with Fabimafobee completing his hat-trick as he benefited from a rebound after the goalkeeper had saved a Penman shot and when, on 71 minutes, substitute Ishe Hunidzarira curled a 20 yard free kick into the top corner, the game looked safe.

But within three minutes, one goal had been pulled back when Cragg beat the advancing Hunt to stroke the ball into the empty net and when Cragg scrambled the ball home for his hat-trick on 77 minutes, nerves jangled.

The game was managed to the final whistle for three important points that was hailed by Dom Welsh: “An outstanding performance, with four key players missing through injury and to be 5-1 up against a strong side is a credit to the boys. A few individual errors made the game tighter than it need.”

Picture: Emma Louise Wheeler

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Welling United U18 4

Match 45/24/2284 - Monday, 25th November 2024 - Isthmian Youth

Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 3 Penman 7 Pritchard 15 Famibafobee 35
Welling United U18 (1) 4 26, 72, 87, 90
Attendance: 33
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,444

Tonbridge Angels U18 fell victim to an amazing comeback from their visitors, Welling United, who recovered from 3-1 down to take home the points with three second half goals.

Manager Dom Welsh bemoaned “silly mistakes and missed chances at pivotal moments” whilst praising the visitors on their second half performance.

It all looked plain sailing for the Angels after 15 minutes in which they had dominated the game and opened up a two goal lead. Strangely plain sailing as Welling are always one of the better sides in the division.

The opening goal came on seven minutes when a well worked short corner routine caught the visitors flat footed and ended with a shot from Robert Penman finding a heavy deflection on its way into the net. On the quarter hour a cross from the right saw Fiachra Pritchard outpace the defence to fire home.

Welling were shocked into action and after asking a couple of saves from Josh Hanson, they pulled a goal back on 26 minutes when a header was buried from a corner and they were searching hard for an equaliser, including a good save from Hanson, when the Angels restored their lead to two goals after 35 minutes when Tolu Fabimafobee tucked the ball home after a cross found him at the near post.

Welling came from the dressing room with a renewed sense of purpose but successive chances for Callum Fincham and Penman should have taken the game beyond them before, with 18 minutes remaining, they pulled a goal back with a far post header.

Momentum was with Welling and when the ball was scrambled home with four minutes remaining there was a sense of foreboding that there might still be time for a winner and so there was when, in the final minute, a cross into the box was tucked home from close range to seal a stunning comeback.