Match 106/18/1699 - Wednesday, 20th March 2019 - Suburban League South
Glebe (2) 3 Powell 1,44 Pearson 62
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Diez 16
Headcount: 22
Admission: £3
Programme: None
Mileage: 64/6,289
Tonbridge Angels Under-21’s faintly flickering hopes of lifting the Suburban League South title were extinguished by a Glebe side that must win their final game, a title showdown with Lingfield, and hope that the Sussex side fail to make up what would be a seven point deficit but with four games remaining to be played.
Glebe’s more direct style made greater use of the slope at Foxbury Avenue in the second half and a single goal was enough to see off the Angels’ challenge, who despite having a reasonable percentage of the possession, were lacking a clinical edge in front of goal.
The evening could not have started worse for the visitors when a defensive error allowed Glebe’s Oscar Powell a free run on goal after just 55 seconds which ended with a comfortable finish past Joe Roberts.
Tonbridge did settle into the game and, playing down the slope, created chances with Jorge Diez bringing a good save out of Mackay Foley, low to his left, followed a minute later, by another save this time to his right to deny Gideon Donkor.
The Angels finally made a breakthrough after 21 minutes when good work down the right from Donkor ended with a cross that was met by Diez but his shot was probably not goal bound when a deflection from a Glebe defender turned the ball into the net.
Both sides had chances to go into the break in front with Foley saving well at his near post following a Tonbridge corner and Roberts saving with his feet to deny Powell who had once more been sent clear. Powell was wasteful with a free header that cleared the bar before, in the final minute of the half, a strong run and cross from Alfie Sharp gave Powell a tap-in from close range to give the home side a half-time lead.
From the outset of the second half, Glebe used the know-how of their own pitch and went direct with a shoot-on-sight policy that whilst somewhat wayward left the feeling that it would eventually pay a dividend.
This it did after 62 minutes, but not quite in the manner expected when a corner from the left was turned in at the far post by Henry Pearson.
With nothing to lose, Tonbridge pressed forward and whilst Connor Watson and Carsel Hylton had attempts on goal they were consistently getting caught on the break and Roberts brilliantly turned a shot from Sharp over the bar and pushed another effort to safety.
It seems almost madness in the middle of March, a full five weeks before an albeit late Easter period that normally makes or breaks promotion or relegation issues, Tonbridge will bring down the curtain on their Suburban League season on Saturday with the visit of Sevenoaks Town to Longmead.
Showing posts with label Tonbridge Angels U21. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tonbridge Angels U21. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 March 2019
Thursday, 17 January 2019
Tonbridge Angels U21 0 Tunbridge Wells U21 1
Match 84/18/1677 - Wednesday, 16th January 2019 - Suburban Challenge Shield
Tonbridge Angels U21 (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells U21 (0) 1 Haylett 76
Attendance: 24
Admission: £3 Senior
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,878
With both sides struggling to make an impression in the final third, this Suburban League Shield game was destined to be settled by a mistake rather than a moment of brilliance and so it was the case as a scuffed clearance found the feet of Tunbridge Wells’ Sam Haylett who clinically drove the ball past Tommy Taylor.
The Challenge Shield operates within a group stage in the opening round and with the Angels having drawn their opening game at Lingfield, this defeat by their neighbours denies them any further progress in the competition leaving Tunbridge Wells needing to avoid defeat at Culverden against Lingfield to move into the quarter finals.
Angels’ Under-21 manager Chris Wye was disappointed that his side lost their way in the second half, failing to take on board the instructions that had been given to his team during the break.
Whilst not making excuses, Chris commented that having only one defender available meant that they were somewhat forced into a 3-5-2 formation that they were not used to.
Chances were at a premium, for both sides, throughout the game with Taylor saving from Tunbridge Wells’ Frankie Pooley after 18 minutes and Cameron Hall turning away a shot from Charlie Dumas at his near post the only efforts worthy of mention in the opening 45 minutes.
Into the second half and two early chances fell to Jorge Diez, but the first was fired over and after some good work by Connor Watson, who has returned to the club from Corinthian, the second was pulled wide.
That is not to say that the Wells were not offering their own threat as Matt Coleman’s effort after 65 minutes was saved by Taylor and a minute later a free kick from Terry Ede came back off the upright.
A good move between Diez and Esteban Salgado ended with the latter’s shot having the sting taken out of it by a deflection on its way through to Hall, but the visitors were to go ahead after 74 minutes when Haylett scored.
Tonbridge pressed on for an equaliser that would have, at least temporarily, kept them in the competition but the cutting edge was not there as Dominic Toussaint and Steve Panayi only asked Hall to make comfortable saves.
There was almost a final twist when goalkeeper Taylor went forward for successive corners and from the second got his head to the ball, only for it to drift agonisingly wide.
Chris Wye summed up: “We were lacklustre in the second half, we should have shown more patience and togetherness and we didn’t work hard enough as a team resulting in getting what we deserved, nothing. But we now need to move on to the next game (in the Suburban Challenge Plate, if you are managing to keep up with the Suburban’s Challenge competitions against now familiar foes in Lingfield) and for the players to show a reaction.”
Tonbridge Angels U21 (0) 0
Tunbridge Wells U21 (0) 1 Haylett 76
Attendance: 24
Admission: £3 Senior
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,878
With both sides struggling to make an impression in the final third, this Suburban League Shield game was destined to be settled by a mistake rather than a moment of brilliance and so it was the case as a scuffed clearance found the feet of Tunbridge Wells’ Sam Haylett who clinically drove the ball past Tommy Taylor.
The Challenge Shield operates within a group stage in the opening round and with the Angels having drawn their opening game at Lingfield, this defeat by their neighbours denies them any further progress in the competition leaving Tunbridge Wells needing to avoid defeat at Culverden against Lingfield to move into the quarter finals.
Angels’ Under-21 manager Chris Wye was disappointed that his side lost their way in the second half, failing to take on board the instructions that had been given to his team during the break.
Whilst not making excuses, Chris commented that having only one defender available meant that they were somewhat forced into a 3-5-2 formation that they were not used to.
Chances were at a premium, for both sides, throughout the game with Taylor saving from Tunbridge Wells’ Frankie Pooley after 18 minutes and Cameron Hall turning away a shot from Charlie Dumas at his near post the only efforts worthy of mention in the opening 45 minutes.
Into the second half and two early chances fell to Jorge Diez, but the first was fired over and after some good work by Connor Watson, who has returned to the club from Corinthian, the second was pulled wide.
That is not to say that the Wells were not offering their own threat as Matt Coleman’s effort after 65 minutes was saved by Taylor and a minute later a free kick from Terry Ede came back off the upright.
A good move between Diez and Esteban Salgado ended with the latter’s shot having the sting taken out of it by a deflection on its way through to Hall, but the visitors were to go ahead after 74 minutes when Haylett scored.
Tonbridge pressed on for an equaliser that would have, at least temporarily, kept them in the competition but the cutting edge was not there as Dominic Toussaint and Steve Panayi only asked Hall to make comfortable saves.
There was almost a final twist when goalkeeper Taylor went forward for successive corners and from the second got his head to the ball, only for it to drift agonisingly wide.
Chris Wye summed up: “We were lacklustre in the second half, we should have shown more patience and togetherness and we didn’t work hard enough as a team resulting in getting what we deserved, nothing. But we now need to move on to the next game (in the Suburban Challenge Plate, if you are managing to keep up with the Suburban’s Challenge competitions against now familiar foes in Lingfield) and for the players to show a reaction.”
Friday, 14 December 2018
Tonbridge Angels U21 6 Horsham YMCA Reserves 1
Match 72/18/1665 - Wednesday, 12th December 2018 - Suburban League South
Tonbridge Angels Under-21 (3) 6 Dumas 9 Stirman 28 Panayi 37 Diez 70,76,86
Horsham YMCA Reserves (0) 1 Ryder 66
Headcount: 25
Admission: Season Ticket
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,294
As the frost glistened on the Longmead grass, Tonbridge Angels Under-21s sparkled with a five-star display against Horsham YMCA Reserves.
Manager Chris Wye was delighted both with the result and the response of his team, who pushed on rather than panicking, after conceding through a defensive mix-up 20 minutes from time. Chris fielded a starting eleven that, with the exception of 22-year-old captain Steve Panayi, were all under 19 years of age.
Tonbridge flew out of the traps and with barely a minute on the clock were awarded a penalty after a foul on the left side of the box. Ethan Kaiser stepped up but saw his low shot saved by Elliott Flack. But they did not have to wait long for amends to be made, when after nine minutes, Charlie Dumas headed home following a left-sided corner.
As the Angels took control of the game, Horsham became rattled by a series of decisions from referee Wollie Shin that culminated in a booking for defender Ryan Lem.
Good work down the left hand side from Gideon Donker ended with Josh Stirman shooting wide before, after 28 minutes, the same pair combined for Stirman to finish from close range.
Donker brought another save from Flack but Tonbridge increased their lead after 37 minutes when Stirman sent Panayi through to score.
After dominating the early period of the second half, a mix-up between goalkeeper Tommy Taylor and a defender ended with Horsham’s Jack Ryder having an empty net into which he stroked for a goal that might have proved a lifeline for the visitors.
The introduction of Jorge Diez immediately after the goal dispelled any fears of a Horsham revival. Flack saved well, low to his left, from Diez with the follow-up being put wide by Dylan Jones. But, after 70 minutes, a dreadful clearance from goalkeeper Flack left Diez with a lob into a vacant goal to restore the home side’s three goal lead.
A superb move involving Dominic Welsh, Jones and Diez ended with the latter firing home for a 5-1 lead.
With four minutes remaining, Diez wrapped up proceedings with a 16 minute hat-trick when his low drive found the bottom corner.
Chris Wye commented after the game that he felt his team had more to give but were learning and progressing as his team remain in third place in the Suburban League South table.
Tonbridge Angels Under-21 (3) 6 Dumas 9 Stirman 28 Panayi 37 Diez 70,76,86
Horsham YMCA Reserves (0) 1 Ryder 66
Headcount: 25
Admission: Season Ticket
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,294
As the frost glistened on the Longmead grass, Tonbridge Angels Under-21s sparkled with a five-star display against Horsham YMCA Reserves.
Manager Chris Wye was delighted both with the result and the response of his team, who pushed on rather than panicking, after conceding through a defensive mix-up 20 minutes from time. Chris fielded a starting eleven that, with the exception of 22-year-old captain Steve Panayi, were all under 19 years of age.
Tonbridge flew out of the traps and with barely a minute on the clock were awarded a penalty after a foul on the left side of the box. Ethan Kaiser stepped up but saw his low shot saved by Elliott Flack. But they did not have to wait long for amends to be made, when after nine minutes, Charlie Dumas headed home following a left-sided corner.
As the Angels took control of the game, Horsham became rattled by a series of decisions from referee Wollie Shin that culminated in a booking for defender Ryan Lem.
Good work down the left hand side from Gideon Donker ended with Josh Stirman shooting wide before, after 28 minutes, the same pair combined for Stirman to finish from close range.
Donker brought another save from Flack but Tonbridge increased their lead after 37 minutes when Stirman sent Panayi through to score.
After dominating the early period of the second half, a mix-up between goalkeeper Tommy Taylor and a defender ended with Horsham’s Jack Ryder having an empty net into which he stroked for a goal that might have proved a lifeline for the visitors.
The introduction of Jorge Diez immediately after the goal dispelled any fears of a Horsham revival. Flack saved well, low to his left, from Diez with the follow-up being put wide by Dylan Jones. But, after 70 minutes, a dreadful clearance from goalkeeper Flack left Diez with a lob into a vacant goal to restore the home side’s three goal lead.
A superb move involving Dominic Welsh, Jones and Diez ended with the latter firing home for a 5-1 lead.
With four minutes remaining, Diez wrapped up proceedings with a 16 minute hat-trick when his low drive found the bottom corner.
Chris Wye commented after the game that he felt his team had more to give but were learning and progressing as his team remain in third place in the Suburban League South table.
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Tonbridge Angels U21 3 Tunbridge Wells U21 2
Match 63/18/1656 - Wednesday, 21st November 2018 - Suburban League South
Tonbridge Angels U21 (2) 3 Welsh 4,18 Toussaint 73
Tunbridge Wells U21 (2) 2
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Team sheet: None
Mileage: 38/3,476
For the first time this season Jack Frost was biting into the grass before kick-off which was a bit of a shame as midweek Suburban League fixtures are a rarity and the opportunity for Tonbridge Angels supporters who spend Saturday’s on the road with the senior side to watch the Under-21s was possibly passed up as the cold was a deterrent.
Those people who quite understandably chose the warmth of their living room missed a good, open game that both sides fully contributed to.
Near neighbours Tunbridge Wells may sit in a lowly position in the table at present but they may well have gone home thinking they were worth a point.
Tonbridge got off to a flyer when a pass from Stevie Panayi allowed Dominic Welsh to cut in from the left and bury a shot into the the far corner of the net after just four minutes.
The Wells got themselves on level terms when the Angels’ goalkeeper, Ethan Collen flapped at a cross under pressure which allowed Matt Coleman to stab the ball home from close range.
Such was the open nature of the game, the Angels were back in front two minutes later when Welsh, cutting in from the left, scored from the edge of the box.
Tunbridge Wells were well up for the challenge and Collen did well to tip over the top an effort from Tom Anstee.
Not to be denied the visitors went into the break on level terms when a shot from outside of the box from Harry Forster took a deflection that left Collen helpless.
Welsh might well have gone into the dressing room for his half-time cuppa with a hat-trick under his belt had his 44th minute strike not come back off the post.
The second half continued in much the same vein but without the goals of the first with both sides testing the goalkeeper and also guilty of wasting opportunities.
Tonbridge got their noses back in front after 73 minutes when Welsh stood up a cross for Dominic Toussaint to head home.
During the second period it was good to see Academy players Ned Lewis, Jacob Lambert and Saul Masungy all get minutes whilst Sam Slipper was a starter.
Tunbridge Wells fought hard to the finish but the Angels managed the game well in the closing stages to send the 40 or so people that braved the elements well satisfied with their evening’s entertainment.
Tonbridge Angels U21 (2) 3 Welsh 4,18 Toussaint 73
Tunbridge Wells U21 (2) 2
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Team sheet: None
Mileage: 38/3,476
For the first time this season Jack Frost was biting into the grass before kick-off which was a bit of a shame as midweek Suburban League fixtures are a rarity and the opportunity for Tonbridge Angels supporters who spend Saturday’s on the road with the senior side to watch the Under-21s was possibly passed up as the cold was a deterrent.
Those people who quite understandably chose the warmth of their living room missed a good, open game that both sides fully contributed to.
Near neighbours Tunbridge Wells may sit in a lowly position in the table at present but they may well have gone home thinking they were worth a point.
Tonbridge got off to a flyer when a pass from Stevie Panayi allowed Dominic Welsh to cut in from the left and bury a shot into the the far corner of the net after just four minutes.
The Wells got themselves on level terms when the Angels’ goalkeeper, Ethan Collen flapped at a cross under pressure which allowed Matt Coleman to stab the ball home from close range.
Such was the open nature of the game, the Angels were back in front two minutes later when Welsh, cutting in from the left, scored from the edge of the box.
Tunbridge Wells were well up for the challenge and Collen did well to tip over the top an effort from Tom Anstee.
Not to be denied the visitors went into the break on level terms when a shot from outside of the box from Harry Forster took a deflection that left Collen helpless.
Welsh might well have gone into the dressing room for his half-time cuppa with a hat-trick under his belt had his 44th minute strike not come back off the post.
The second half continued in much the same vein but without the goals of the first with both sides testing the goalkeeper and also guilty of wasting opportunities.
Tonbridge got their noses back in front after 73 minutes when Welsh stood up a cross for Dominic Toussaint to head home.
During the second period it was good to see Academy players Ned Lewis, Jacob Lambert and Saul Masungy all get minutes whilst Sam Slipper was a starter.
Tunbridge Wells fought hard to the finish but the Angels managed the game well in the closing stages to send the 40 or so people that braved the elements well satisfied with their evening’s entertainment.
Saturday, 23 June 2018
Tonbridge Angels U21 6 GC Academy 4
Match 01/18/1594 - Saturday, 23rd June 2018 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels U21 (2) 6 Toussiant 6,45 Lambert 73 Dylan Jones 87,90+2
GC Academy (2) 4 Cosgrove 32,53 Foxley 41 (pen) Unley 87
Headcount: 25
Played at K Sports
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 30/30
Following the shortest ever close season, just two weeks after the CONIFA Final, the 2018/19 pre-season got underway.
The World Cup might be barely a week old but it was time for Chris Wye’s Under-21 squad to embark on their preseason schedule. The opposition was a team made up of young professionals who have been released from senior clubs such as Millwall, Charlton, West Ham and from as far north as Aston Villa. Each pre-season, Gary Clancy (GC) brings together lads that have had the heartbreaking news that they are not to be offered contracts to give them the opportunity to attract the attention of another club.
The game was played at K Sports but on the adjoining grass pitch.
The GC Academy might be a scratch team but they were quickly on the front foot and it took a fine saving tackle from Lekan to deny George Brown.
After the early scare, it was the Angels that took the lead when a through ball found Dominic Toussiant, who confidently scored with a shot into the bottom corner.
The game was very open from the first whistle with Luciano Osbourne and Toussiant going close before Aaron Cosgrove, who surely can do a job for somebody, cracked a shot against the outside of a post.
It came as no surprise that GCA levelled the score soon after a mid-half water break. Prior to the break the Tonbridge goalkeeper, Tommy Taylor, had made good stops from Darren Foxley before Cosgrove was sent clear to slot home after 32 minutes.
A fine effort from 30 yards by Jacob Wright struck the bar, but four minutes before the half-time break Lekan brought down Foxley, who dusted himself down to slot home the spot kick.
Tonbridge quickly replied to go into the break on level terms when a surging run and cross from Sam Jones set up Toussiant for tap-in.
Early in the second half, a nice bit of control from Osbourne preceded a shot that went over the top before GCA re-took the lead when Elliott Capel set up Cosgrove for a tap-in.
A raft of substitutions saw 16-year-old Jacob Lambert introduced and after 73 minutes he took a pass from Dylan Jones to fire into the bottom corner for the equaliser and to delight his Grandfather stood on the sidelines!
This was the first of a trio of top quality strikes that eventually gave the Under-21s their win. After 76 minutes, Osbourne curled a shot into the top corner for 4-3 with the game being made almost safe in the 87th minutes when Dylan Jones rounded the goalkeeper to make it 5-3.
Late goals from a close range back heel from GCA’s Joe Unley brought the game to 5-4 and Unley might well have had a equaliser but for a top stop from Taylor. But the last word went to Dylan Jones with a exquisite shot into the top corner that would have been worth the entrance fee had anyone paid.
Tonbridge Angels U21 (2) 6 Toussiant 6,45 Lambert 73 Dylan Jones 87,90+2
GC Academy (2) 4 Cosgrove 32,53 Foxley 41 (pen) Unley 87
Headcount: 25
Played at K Sports
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 30/30
Following the shortest ever close season, just two weeks after the CONIFA Final, the 2018/19 pre-season got underway.
The World Cup might be barely a week old but it was time for Chris Wye’s Under-21 squad to embark on their preseason schedule. The opposition was a team made up of young professionals who have been released from senior clubs such as Millwall, Charlton, West Ham and from as far north as Aston Villa. Each pre-season, Gary Clancy (GC) brings together lads that have had the heartbreaking news that they are not to be offered contracts to give them the opportunity to attract the attention of another club.
The game was played at K Sports but on the adjoining grass pitch.
The GC Academy might be a scratch team but they were quickly on the front foot and it took a fine saving tackle from Lekan to deny George Brown.
After the early scare, it was the Angels that took the lead when a through ball found Dominic Toussiant, who confidently scored with a shot into the bottom corner.
The game was very open from the first whistle with Luciano Osbourne and Toussiant going close before Aaron Cosgrove, who surely can do a job for somebody, cracked a shot against the outside of a post.
It came as no surprise that GCA levelled the score soon after a mid-half water break. Prior to the break the Tonbridge goalkeeper, Tommy Taylor, had made good stops from Darren Foxley before Cosgrove was sent clear to slot home after 32 minutes.
A fine effort from 30 yards by Jacob Wright struck the bar, but four minutes before the half-time break Lekan brought down Foxley, who dusted himself down to slot home the spot kick.
Tonbridge quickly replied to go into the break on level terms when a surging run and cross from Sam Jones set up Toussiant for tap-in.
Early in the second half, a nice bit of control from Osbourne preceded a shot that went over the top before GCA re-took the lead when Elliott Capel set up Cosgrove for a tap-in.
A raft of substitutions saw 16-year-old Jacob Lambert introduced and after 73 minutes he took a pass from Dylan Jones to fire into the bottom corner for the equaliser and to delight his Grandfather stood on the sidelines!
This was the first of a trio of top quality strikes that eventually gave the Under-21s their win. After 76 minutes, Osbourne curled a shot into the top corner for 4-3 with the game being made almost safe in the 87th minutes when Dylan Jones rounded the goalkeeper to make it 5-3.
Late goals from a close range back heel from GCA’s Joe Unley brought the game to 5-4 and Unley might well have had a equaliser but for a top stop from Taylor. But the last word went to Dylan Jones with a exquisite shot into the top corner that would have been worth the entrance fee had anyone paid.
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Tonbridge Angels U21 2 Corinthian Reserves 2
Match 125/17/1575 - Wednesday, 25th April 2018 - Suburban League Premier
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 2 Toussaint 43,76
Corinthian Reserves (1) 2 Wood 7 Smith 80
Headcount: 25
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/8,229
Tonbridge Angels' Under-21 side concluded their home Suburban League programme earning a hard-fought point against a strong Corinthian team. Chris Wye needed to reshuffle his plans on hearing that his centre half was stuck on a train and was not going to make the game. He called 16-year-old Harry Hudson, one of next season’s Academy members, into the team alongside Dominic Welsh to form one of the most diminutive central defensive partnerships you are ever likely to see. But, in the face of a formidably sized attack, they both acquitted themselves admirably, with the skipper Welsh particularly outstanding in marshalling the back line.
Tonbridge created the first chance of the game after five minutes when the visiting goalkeeper, Billy Johnson, was forced to palm to safety a free kick from Steven Panayi.
However, it was Corinthian that took the lead when a long ball through the middle saw some hesitation between debutant goalkeeper, Tom Day and a defender that allowed Lewis Wood to challenge the goalkeeper and ultimately touch the ball into an empty net. The home side were aggrieved that the ball was actually in Day’s hands but the referee was poorly placed to make the decision.
Corinthian might have gone two in front a couple of minutes later when Jacob Wright was caught in possession and a pass to Lorenzo Couzzo saw his shot come back off a post.
After a shaky start, the Angels grew into the game and Charlie Dumas saw a shot deflected wide for a corner and Sam Jones needed a touch too many when in a good shooting position.
Tonbridge were nearly undone a second time by a straight ball through the middle that sent Wood clear but the striker shot wastefully wide. Wood was further denied in the 36th minute when Day turned his effort over the bar.
Tonbridge equalised just prior to the break when the ball reached Dominic Toussaint at the left hand angle of the box from where he confidently struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The first big chance of the second period fell to Corinthian when a back pass fell short but the Corinthian player only managed to send the ball into the side netting.
Tonbridge had grown into the game and they had the momentum as Toussaint forced Johnson into a save with the follow-up bravely kept out. At the other end, minutes later, Day was forced into a replica scenario.
Cuozzo placed a shot against the top of the crossbar after 74 minutes but, two minutes later, it was the Angels that took the lead. Cutting in from the right, substitute David Gharbi’s shot came back off the near post but Toussaint was alert to the rebound to tuck home.
Corinthian were forced to throw caution to the wind and after a succession of corners, their height advantage finally told as the comparatively mountainous Jack Smith rose to head home.
Following the game, Chris Wye paid tribute to his team that have grown into the season following a challenging start commending his players on their character, commitment and attitude. He believes that there are now solid foundations in place for a much stronger season next term and with four 16-year-olds already in the squad the future is looking bright.
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 2 Toussaint 43,76
Corinthian Reserves (1) 2 Wood 7 Smith 80
Headcount: 25
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/8,229
Tonbridge Angels' Under-21 side concluded their home Suburban League programme earning a hard-fought point against a strong Corinthian team. Chris Wye needed to reshuffle his plans on hearing that his centre half was stuck on a train and was not going to make the game. He called 16-year-old Harry Hudson, one of next season’s Academy members, into the team alongside Dominic Welsh to form one of the most diminutive central defensive partnerships you are ever likely to see. But, in the face of a formidably sized attack, they both acquitted themselves admirably, with the skipper Welsh particularly outstanding in marshalling the back line.
Tonbridge created the first chance of the game after five minutes when the visiting goalkeeper, Billy Johnson, was forced to palm to safety a free kick from Steven Panayi.
However, it was Corinthian that took the lead when a long ball through the middle saw some hesitation between debutant goalkeeper, Tom Day and a defender that allowed Lewis Wood to challenge the goalkeeper and ultimately touch the ball into an empty net. The home side were aggrieved that the ball was actually in Day’s hands but the referee was poorly placed to make the decision.
Corinthian might have gone two in front a couple of minutes later when Jacob Wright was caught in possession and a pass to Lorenzo Couzzo saw his shot come back off a post.
After a shaky start, the Angels grew into the game and Charlie Dumas saw a shot deflected wide for a corner and Sam Jones needed a touch too many when in a good shooting position.
Tonbridge were nearly undone a second time by a straight ball through the middle that sent Wood clear but the striker shot wastefully wide. Wood was further denied in the 36th minute when Day turned his effort over the bar.
Tonbridge equalised just prior to the break when the ball reached Dominic Toussaint at the left hand angle of the box from where he confidently struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The first big chance of the second period fell to Corinthian when a back pass fell short but the Corinthian player only managed to send the ball into the side netting.
Tonbridge had grown into the game and they had the momentum as Toussaint forced Johnson into a save with the follow-up bravely kept out. At the other end, minutes later, Day was forced into a replica scenario.
Cuozzo placed a shot against the top of the crossbar after 74 minutes but, two minutes later, it was the Angels that took the lead. Cutting in from the right, substitute David Gharbi’s shot came back off the near post but Toussaint was alert to the rebound to tuck home.
Corinthian were forced to throw caution to the wind and after a succession of corners, their height advantage finally told as the comparatively mountainous Jack Smith rose to head home.
Following the game, Chris Wye paid tribute to his team that have grown into the season following a challenging start commending his players on their character, commitment and attitude. He believes that there are now solid foundations in place for a much stronger season next term and with four 16-year-olds already in the squad the future is looking bright.
Thursday, 7 December 2017
Tonbridge Angels U21 2 Cray Valley PM Res 1
Match 70/17/1520 - Wednesday, 6th December 2017 - Suburban League Premier
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 2 Oladejo 40, Fenton 90+1
Cray Valley Reserves (0) 1 Tumkaya 61
Headcount: 15
Entrance: £3 Senior
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,611
Jack Fenton’s curled shot into the top corner in the first minute of added time extended Tonbridge’s Under-21 Development side’s run to three successive wins, duly lifting them into 10th place in the Suburban League.
The match was unfortunately dominated by a referee that took exception to any dissent, not necessarily a bad thing, but done without using any common sense. He limited physical contact leaving the game stopping and starting every other minute which irritated players and their benches even more which ultimately led to a scrappy match.
The man in the middle made his first decision after just 25 seconds when he decided that Andrew Sesay had been brought down on the right side of the box thus awarding Tonbridge a penalty. Luciano Osbourne’s spot kick was well saved, low to his left, by Cray Valley’s goalkeeper, Chris Cowdrey.
A mix-up between Angels’ goalkeeper coach Stewart Copeland and central defender Emenuele Offin-Ankemah presented a lob towards an open goal for Jordan Sandiford but his effort came back off the crossbar.
Cray Valley had the ball in the net after 23 minutes but this was disallowed, after much confusion, for offside.
Tonbridge opened the scoring, five minutes before the break, when a free kick from 20 yards was beautifully bent around the wall and past Cowdrey by Temi Oladejo.
In first half time added, Oladejo attempted to repeat the trick but his free kick struck with venom was too high.
Just past the hour mark an electric run from Sesay ended with a pulled back pass from the bye-line but Osbourne was just short of contact.
Cray Valley equalised after 69 minutes when a speculative shot from Deren Tumkaya crept in at the left hand post with Copeland motionless.
Tonbridge pressed hard for a winner with substitute Karlan Henry’s header going wide but a draw looked the outcome until Osbourne played the ball inside to Fenton who produced a snap shot that curled exquisitely into the far corner before defenders could close him down for the winner.
On Saturday the Under-21s travel to Corinthian at Gay Dawn Farm for a 15:00 kick off.
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 2 Oladejo 40, Fenton 90+1
Cray Valley Reserves (0) 1 Tumkaya 61
Headcount: 15
Entrance: £3 Senior
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/4,611
Jack Fenton’s curled shot into the top corner in the first minute of added time extended Tonbridge’s Under-21 Development side’s run to three successive wins, duly lifting them into 10th place in the Suburban League.
The match was unfortunately dominated by a referee that took exception to any dissent, not necessarily a bad thing, but done without using any common sense. He limited physical contact leaving the game stopping and starting every other minute which irritated players and their benches even more which ultimately led to a scrappy match.
The man in the middle made his first decision after just 25 seconds when he decided that Andrew Sesay had been brought down on the right side of the box thus awarding Tonbridge a penalty. Luciano Osbourne’s spot kick was well saved, low to his left, by Cray Valley’s goalkeeper, Chris Cowdrey.
A mix-up between Angels’ goalkeeper coach Stewart Copeland and central defender Emenuele Offin-Ankemah presented a lob towards an open goal for Jordan Sandiford but his effort came back off the crossbar.
Cray Valley had the ball in the net after 23 minutes but this was disallowed, after much confusion, for offside.
Tonbridge opened the scoring, five minutes before the break, when a free kick from 20 yards was beautifully bent around the wall and past Cowdrey by Temi Oladejo.
In first half time added, Oladejo attempted to repeat the trick but his free kick struck with venom was too high.
Just past the hour mark an electric run from Sesay ended with a pulled back pass from the bye-line but Osbourne was just short of contact.
Cray Valley equalised after 69 minutes when a speculative shot from Deren Tumkaya crept in at the left hand post with Copeland motionless.
Tonbridge pressed hard for a winner with substitute Karlan Henry’s header going wide but a draw looked the outcome until Osbourne played the ball inside to Fenton who produced a snap shot that curled exquisitely into the far corner before defenders could close him down for the winner.
On Saturday the Under-21s travel to Corinthian at Gay Dawn Farm for a 15:00 kick off.
Sunday, 10 September 2017
Tonbridge Angels U21 1 Maidenhead United 3
Match 29/17/1479 - Saturday, 9th September 2017 - Suburban League Premier
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 1 Oblere 10
Maidenhead United (2) 3 Merrick 1,41 Laflin 81
Headcount: 30
Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,704
The Tonbridge Angels Under-21's manager, Chris Wye reflected:
On Saturday at Longmead, the Under-21s met a good, mature Maidenhead team who played to their strengths and this proved to be effective throughout despite the efforts of our young squad.
Straight from the kick-off the ball was played down the left where a cross was driven in and poked past Ibrahim Attiah by Rory Merrick giving the visitors the lead after just 22 seconds. A goal down within the first minute was obviously the worst start the Angels could have wanted after some good previous defensive displays.
This would now be a test of character and making sure we did not crumble early on and have a heavy defeat on our hands. Maidenhead kept pumping the ball forward at every opportunity but we coped quite well with this as we tried to reduce the amount of chances that the opposition could create around our box.
We also had enough about us going forward although still with a lot to learn. It was to be the Angels that would equalise after 10 minutes, with the ball being half cleared by the Maidenhead defence, Tomi Oblere was there to strike from 25 yards out as his arrowed shot flew into the net past the despairing keeper. The boys were delighted with this and an air of excitement came about them for the next few minutes.
However five minutes before half time another driven cross was headed to the far post by Merrick and tapped home by the centre forward (however, officially the goal has been credited to Merrick) to restore Maidenhead’s lead. We went into the break 2-1 down but had some good phases of play in the final third and created chances of our own which was a positive after previous performances and shows the players are taking on board what we are coaching and confidence is coming along with the players getting more used to each other.
The second half was more about backs to the wall as Maidenhead kept pumping the ball forward and after 73 minutes, a long shot was spilt by Attiah, who had a good game, that allowed Harry Laflin to pounce and finish for the visitors third goal.
It was the fact that the Maidenhead players were quicker to second balls and had a little bit more know-how that gave them the edge and to have the chances they did is more evidence to back this up. We spent the last half an hour of the game pushing on and pumping the ball forward in the hope that our guys could learn to anticipate the second balls and gain some valuable experience in trying to keep an opposition pinned in.
A couple of half chances came our way and with just a couple of minutes left a chance fell to Samuel Oyeniran with the goal at his mercy but he scuffed his shot and it slipped past the post. A match fit Samuel would not have missed this as more composure would have been shown and the young striker will definitely learn from this.
The end result may have been a 3-1 defeat but further lessons have been learnt. So far we have played some good sides and it will be interesting to see now how we fare against some of the teams in the bottom half of the league as I know our players have plenty of potential and individual ability, we just need to keep working together to bring a positive result.
Tonbridge Angels U21 (1) 1 Oblere 10
Maidenhead United (2) 3 Merrick 1,41 Laflin 81
Headcount: 30
Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,704
The Tonbridge Angels Under-21's manager, Chris Wye reflected:
On Saturday at Longmead, the Under-21s met a good, mature Maidenhead team who played to their strengths and this proved to be effective throughout despite the efforts of our young squad.
Straight from the kick-off the ball was played down the left where a cross was driven in and poked past Ibrahim Attiah by Rory Merrick giving the visitors the lead after just 22 seconds. A goal down within the first minute was obviously the worst start the Angels could have wanted after some good previous defensive displays.
This would now be a test of character and making sure we did not crumble early on and have a heavy defeat on our hands. Maidenhead kept pumping the ball forward at every opportunity but we coped quite well with this as we tried to reduce the amount of chances that the opposition could create around our box.
We also had enough about us going forward although still with a lot to learn. It was to be the Angels that would equalise after 10 minutes, with the ball being half cleared by the Maidenhead defence, Tomi Oblere was there to strike from 25 yards out as his arrowed shot flew into the net past the despairing keeper. The boys were delighted with this and an air of excitement came about them for the next few minutes.
However five minutes before half time another driven cross was headed to the far post by Merrick and tapped home by the centre forward (however, officially the goal has been credited to Merrick) to restore Maidenhead’s lead. We went into the break 2-1 down but had some good phases of play in the final third and created chances of our own which was a positive after previous performances and shows the players are taking on board what we are coaching and confidence is coming along with the players getting more used to each other.
The second half was more about backs to the wall as Maidenhead kept pumping the ball forward and after 73 minutes, a long shot was spilt by Attiah, who had a good game, that allowed Harry Laflin to pounce and finish for the visitors third goal.
It was the fact that the Maidenhead players were quicker to second balls and had a little bit more know-how that gave them the edge and to have the chances they did is more evidence to back this up. We spent the last half an hour of the game pushing on and pumping the ball forward in the hope that our guys could learn to anticipate the second balls and gain some valuable experience in trying to keep an opposition pinned in.
A couple of half chances came our way and with just a couple of minutes left a chance fell to Samuel Oyeniran with the goal at his mercy but he scuffed his shot and it slipped past the post. A match fit Samuel would not have missed this as more composure would have been shown and the young striker will definitely learn from this.
The end result may have been a 3-1 defeat but further lessons have been learnt. So far we have played some good sides and it will be interesting to see now how we fare against some of the teams in the bottom half of the league as I know our players have plenty of potential and individual ability, we just need to keep working together to bring a positive result.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
