Sheppey United 0 Sevenoaks Town 2

Match 135/16/1442 - Saturday, 6th May 2017 - SCEFL Challenge Cup Final

Sheppey United (0) 0
Sevenoaks Town (1) 2 Carnegie 3 Bennett 78
Attendance: 744
Played at Tonbridge Angels FC

Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/9,389

Match Report

This SCEFL Challenge Cup Final ran to form as Sevenoaks Town won more comfortably than the 2-0 scoreline suggests. An early goal from Harrison Carnegie set them on their way and it was something of a surprise that they took until 12 minutes from time to finally put the game to bed.

An impressive attendance of 744 was boosted by a big following from the Island who gave boisterous support from behind the goal, whilst the Sevenoaks contingent appeared to spread themselves out around the stadium.

The two teams took to the pitch in warm sunshine with the immediate question as to why Sheppey needed to change from their normal strip of red and white stripes to blue and white when their opponents were wearing blue and black.

Despite conceding three early corners to the Islanders it was Sevenoaks who went ahead when a mishit shot from Carnegie into the ground deceived goalkeeper, Dean Warford, who allowed the ball to travel underneath his body.

Warford saved well from Tom Ripley to see Sheppey into the break just the goal behind, they had made the odd foray into their opponents territory but had barely stretched the Sevenoaks goalkeeper, Rob French.

French became a virtual spectator during the second half in which Ripley struck the bar whilst Bryron Walker and Yacine Gnahore wastefully shot over.

Billy Bennett sealed the trophy for Micky Collins' side when he took a through ball from Joe Bingham into the penalty area, riding a challenge and stumbling before firing a shot past Warford.

Sevenoaks' performance suggested that they can make a serious challenge for the league title next season and with exciting plans on the table for Greatness Park, the future looks bright for a club perennially in the basement before the arrival of Collins.

Picture: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels Ladies 2 Burgess Hill Ladies 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pictures: Wes Filtness and Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Whitehawk U18 1

Match 133/16/1440 - Tuesday, 2nd May 2017 - Ryman Champions Play-off SF

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Sollis 76 Smith 84
Whitehawk U18 (0) 1 Keith 56
Attendance: 70

Entrance: £1 Senior
Team Sheet: Free
Mileage: 38/9,313

Tonbridge Angels came from behind to exact revenge on Whitehawk for their Cup Final defeat of a fortnight ago and progress to the Final of the Ryman Youth Champion of Champions Play-offs.

As with the Lucas Fettes Cup Final, two evenly matched sides produced a competitive match that could have swung either way. Whitehawk had the better of the first half with Tonbridge finishing the game the stronger after falling behind on 56 minutes.

The first period was a very cagey affair with both defences keeping goalscoring opportunities down to a few. For the home side, Sid Sollis, returning from suspension brought two good saves out of the Whitehawk goalkeeper, Jordan Hawkins whilst the influential visiting skipper, Luke Emberson tested Lewis Mitchell on a couple of occasions and also sent clear Jordan Pryor to shoot straight at Mitchell, wasting the best chance of the half.

As the rain began fall from a previously leaden sky, the game became a lot more open in the second period.

Tommy Chapman’s superb deliveries from right-sided free kicks found Jack Bray who steered his header wide after 49 minutes and from a second cross, Whitehawk managed to clear under pressure.

Chapman went even closer after 52 minutes when a corner from the left saw a header cleared from the line.

Against the run of play of the second half, it was the Sussex side that took the lead after 56 minutes. A free kick hit long into the box from Billy Barker found the head of central defender Robbie Keith who glanced it past Mitchell.

Sollis, who had been expertly marshalled by Emberson and Keith, started to exact pressure on, what had been, a well organised Whitehawk back line. He had a shot over, and a header that was deflected away for a corner as he began to receive a better service.

After 76 minutes, Sollis capitalised on a defensive error that sent him clear and as a defender desperately tried to block his shot, the ball looped up and over Hawkins for a well-deserved equaliser.

Now it was the Angels with their tails up and, after 84 minutes, they were ahead when a Chapman corner was only cleared to the feet of Liam Smith, who buried his opportunity from close range.

Tonbridge managed the game well in the remaining minutes with only a shot well off target from Barker causing alarm.

They qualify for the final which will be played at Tooting and Mitcham next Wednesday against the winner of the other semi-final between Metropolitan Police and Hampton and Richmond scheduled for Imber Court this Thursday.

I was delighted to receive this framed picture of the Championship winning squad from Jay Stubberfield, reporting for this talented group has barely been a hardship this season. Thank-you to everybody involved.

Pictures: Lisa Fenton

Dover Athletic 2 Welling United 0

Match 132/16/1439 - Monday, 1st May 2017 - Kent Senior Cup Final

Dover Athletic (0) 2
Welling United (0) 0
Attendance: 939
Played at Maidstone United

Entrance: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 20/9,275

Match Report

As a neutral observer this game was best described as dull. Dover deserved to win whilst Welling put in a decent enough effort.

I haven't been to the Gallagher since the new terrace was built and this Kent Senior Cup Final offered a good opportunity to have a look. It really is impressive and as Jim Case said for the £750,000 it took to build it, would be the perfect solution for Gillingham's Town End. My only complaint was that for supposedly a Spring Day in May, it was pretty cold standing up at the back making a Tuesday night in January a not very inviting thought.

As we are approaching the end of the season, I am starting to suffer a little from blogger's fatigue, so if you want a match report, please click on the link above.

Northampton Town 0 Gillingham 0

Match 131/16/1438 - Sunday, 30th April 2017 - League One

Northampton Town (0) 0
Gillingham (0) 0
Attendance: 7,034

Entrance: £18 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 270/9,255

Match Report

Following the final whistle there was seven minutes of my life that I'm not going to get back, seven minutes that I don't want back if I have to serve them in the same manner.

Ultimately, a draw was enough but if Adrian Pennock have not proved to be a football genius, he has certainly proved to be a football psychic because why would you want to defend a goal-less draw in the last 15 minutes unless you know that the one goal that could have been scored by Port Vale at Fleetwood is not going to happen.

Pennock's heartfelt interview following the game told stories of poison in the dressing room and the unfit squad he inherited from Justin Edinburgh.

He wants the job, but will he get it? Why was Kenny Jackett in the stands? And how many of this squad will be around next season? Only Mr Scally knows the answers and he has decided that a holiday was in order before revealing all.

Deal Town 4 Tunbridge Wells 1

Match 130/16/1437 - Saturday, 29th April 2017 - Southern Counties East

Deal Town (2) 4 Philpott (pen) 4 Anderson 8 Adams 50 Reeves 77
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Pinnock 46
Attendance: 207

Entrance: £4
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 108/8,985

This was probably a fitting end to Tunbridge Wells’ season, pretty much everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. A player light after just two minutes and a goal down from the resultant penalty, an uphill struggle ensued of which there could be only one winner.

This has been a season to forget for Tunbridge Wells’ loyal supporters who, as usual, followed their team to the East Kent coast in numbers and in adversity, with great humour.

Fearing another negative report to write, I approached the Wells’ supporters asking for positives to come out of a season in which they have flirted with the relegation places for long periods. Unfortunately, they could come up with very little on the playing side and this performance clearly illustrated why.

The first win of the season at Fisher in September was recalled coupled with the vocal support that greeted the victory. A memorable away day at Sheppey when 300-plus Islanders were out sung by the Wells fans and the fans getting behind the club and raising £4,000 through their Supporters Trust initiative all pointed that the fans had done their bit.

Relegation has been avoided with a couple of good results that lifted the club into the less choppy waters of lower mid-table but none more so than the three points that were eventually awarded to Tunbridge Wells following the early season abandonment of their game against Croydon. Richard Woodfield commented that “the (reasonably) good name of the club would have been trashed if decision had gone the other way. Momentous decision for the football authorities to, in effect, rule that a referee had totally lost the plot.”

The referee at this game, who went on to have a reasonably good game, took centre stage very early at The Charles Ground awarding Deal Town a penalty and sending off Perry Spackman after just two minutes. The decision to award the spot kick cannot be denied but the dismissal has to be questioned as Deal’s Jack Paxman was not heading in the direction of the goal. Ryan Philpott struck his penalty to the left of Steve Lawrence and when asked to re-take the kick as Spackman had not left the pitch, he stroked his second attempt into the same corner.

Unforgivable defending allowed the hosts a second goal after eight minutes. A free kick conceded on the right hand side was floated into the box by Joe Reeves to Joe Anderson who was allowed a free header from the edge of the six yard box.

Tunbridge Wells spent the rest of the half chasing shadows with James Pinnock stretching the Deal goalkeeper, James Tonkin just the once after 20 minutes.

After such an inept first period it came as something of a surprise as the visitors scored within a minute of the start of the second half. A defence-splitting pass from Josh Biddlecombe sent Pinnock clear. He decided not to take on the shot, but rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Any hope of a comeback was quickly dispelled four minutes later when a slick move down the right ended with Philpott setting up Dan Adams to score from close range.

Philpott brought a good diving save out of Lawrence, which at least brings me back to my “give me positives” survey, with Julian Fussell making the observation: “Steve Lawrence has been absolutely immense this season, he'll rightly romp the end of season awards and without him I dread to think where we would have ended up!"

To list the chances throughout the second half that were created by Deal would make depressing reading for Wells’ supporters. Eventually, after 77 minutes, they added a fourth when a corner from the left was headed back across the face of goal by Kane Smith to Joe Reeves who had time and space for an easy finish.

So sadly, another Tunbridge Wells game passes by with little positivity. As I made my way back to the car park, the songs from the South East Stand choir continued to ring around the Charles. They make do with a few beers and great comradeship; they deserve so much more from the pitch.

This was my first visit to Deal in the lifetime of this blog, what a little gem! Sadly, the old grandstand has disappeared for a modern construction but the clubhouse, the quaint dressing rooms building and tea in a proper mug add to is charm. Finally, what a pitch, some clubs, much higher up the pyramid, would die for a surface like this one pre-season let alone the final game.

Kingstonian U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 4

Match 129/16/1436 - Thursday, 27th April 2017 - Ryman Youth League

Kingstonian U18 (1) 1 Baker (o.g.) 2
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 4 Cussen 34 Chapman 44 Bray 47 Smith 90+1
Headcount: 50
Official attendance given as 23, no way!

Entrance: £4
Programme: Included
Mileage: 102/8,877
New Ground: 307

Championes, Championes rang around Banstead Athletic’s Merland Rise as Tonbridge Angels’ Under-18 side celebrated winning the Ryman Youth Eastern Division. A week previously they had looked on in despair as their Cup Final opponents, Whitehawk, celebrated in the same manner, now it was their turn.

And with the title win comes the opportunity to avenge that defeat as Whitehawk will visit Longmead Stadium on Tuesday evening for a play-off semi-final.

A damp, cold evening was ultimately brought to a memorable conclusion, but nobody was taking anything for granted as hosts and basement club, Kingstonian threatened to tear up the script for the evening.

Sid Sollis served out the last of his suspended games and the management team opted to go with two up front, Jack Cussen and Guy Taylor, to add the cutting edge.

The Angels suffered a setback in the minutes before kick-off when skipper Callum Adonis-Taylor reported feeling ill and needed to be replaced by Ryan Gallifant.

Perhaps this contributed to a disorganised opening 10 minutes in which Kingstonian scored and also had another couple of good chances that could have left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

With no team sheet for the hosts available I can only refer to the Kingstonian side by number.

After two minutes, a cross from the left brought a hasty clearance under pressure that only managed to strike the unwitting torso of Oliver Baker and rebound past a stranded Lewis Mitchell.

Encouraged by their early success, Mitchell had to make two more saves, one a plunging effort at his near post as Kingstonian looked to capitalise on their opening.

Tonbridge, in the meantime, were looking out of salts. Their passing, normally sharp was poor and service to the front two, who were also making ill-judged runs, was sparse.

When, after 17 minutes, Mitchell was once more brought into action it was time for somebody in a Tonbridge shirt to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Up stepped captain for the night, Tommy Chapman.

A free kick from the left from Chapman saw Liam Smith’s header deflected wide for a corner and the Angels finally showed signs of coming to the party.

Then, after 34 minutes, a defence splitting pass through the middle from Chapman sent Cussen clear to bury his opportunity into the bottom corner.

The Angels were now a different side and pulling all the strings. Jack Bray and Taylor had chances which they pulled wide before, on the stroke of half-time they received a free kick on the right hand side of the box, 20 yards from goal. Chapman drilled the free kick, low past the wall and into the corner to give Tonbridge a half-time lead.

Early second half success gave Tonbridge some breathing space as, after two minutes, another free kick, from who else but Chapman, was beautifully flighted towards the late run of Bray who stole in to head home.

One more goal could have made the second period a lot more comfortable for the Tonbridge support but, unfortunately, that was a long time coming as chances came and went with regular abandon.

The Kingstonian goalkeeper did well to save twice at the feet of Taylor whilst a header from Smith also went wide.

But, after 66 minutes, it was Kingstonian that had the opportunity to bring themselves right back into the game when they were awarded a penalty, seemingly for handball, that also brought a booking for Baker.

Mitchell judged correctly saving the well-struck spot kick low to his right.

Man of the Match Chapman hobbled from the pitch to be replaced by Jardell Conteh with 10 minutes remaining.

The party could begin in the first minute of added time when a cross from the left was bundled home by either Liam Smith or a defender but after the season the Tonbridge player has had who is going to deny him the final goal.

The final whistle saw the Tonbridge bench empty as they joined their team mates for the excited celebrations. This is the fourth successive year that this talented team have won their relative age group since coming together as 13-year-olds.

This was my first visit to Banstead Athletic which, I presume is perfectly adequate for the Combined Counties League. There is plenty of covered standing room with the main stand housing, I would guess 150 seats. The most striking feature would be the floodlight pylons which, once more guessing, double as mobile phone masts. The main gripe of the evening, though not directed at Banstead Athletic, but their tenants Kingstonian would be that £4 entry for an Under-18s game with no concessions is frankly a piss-take. No wonder the official attendance was only 23.