Tonbridge Angels Ladies 0 Enfield Town 9

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

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

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

">Match Report

Ravens Wood 1 Hugh Christie 1

Match 79/18/1672 - Wednesday, 9th January 2019 - Kent SFA Academies League

Ravens Wood (0) 1
Hugh Christie (0) 1 Snowden-Lewis 71
Attendance: Me!

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 70/4,684

The Wednesday stop on the minibus tour of Kent Schools took in Ravens Wood School which is situated a goal kick away from Holmesdale FC.

Six Academy lads were sitting their A level Law examination, which meant a later kick-off but also brought the benefit of the Development squad being strengthened by four of the Elite squad players.

At this level there is a huge variance in the quality of refereeing with sometimes, as in this occasion, the home team’s PE teacher taking on the whistle. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a FA qualified referee is going to be better but when you throw in a substitute from each side running the line, the potential for chaos is obvious. And so it was.

The referee took exception to any bad language that was heard on the field and certainly did not take kindly to any appealing from the sidelines. That Hugh Christie were the only side with a coach on the line inevitably meant that only one side took the admonishment.

Ravens Wood put seven past Hugh Christie early in the season and clearly felt that a repeat performance was within their scope with an early opportunity touched over the bar by Joe Roberts but the Tonbridge side had an immediate reposte with the Ravens’ goalkeeper, who went on to have a very good game, saving at his near post from Saul Masungeyi.

Ravens Wood dominated the first period forcing several corners and asking Roberts to make a couple of decent saves with Tyler Richardson also clearing from the line.

For good measure the Ravens' goalkeeper saved from Adam and Ned Snowden-Lewis.

Hugh Christie improved as an attacking force in the second period with Musengeyi twice testing the goalkeeper.

But it was the home side that opened the scoring after 67 minutes when a right-sided corner was headed home without much of a challenge.

But the Tonbridge response was positive with Brad Needham bringing a very good save out the goalkeeper before Musengeyi broke down the right hand side and laying on the perfect cross for Snowden-Lewis to fire into the bottom corner.

The game had the makings of a really good finish with both sides having very good chances before the referee called a halt to the game eight minutes early despite appeals from the sidelines. The referee gave his reasons for the early finish that in normal circumstances could only be considered an abandonment but these were as confusing as a good many of his decisions.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Brightlingsea Regent 2

Match 78/18/1671 - Saturday, 5th January 2019 - Bostik Premier

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Parkinson 76 Read 84
Brightlingsea Regent (1) 2 Hood 25 Hunt 47
Attendance: 358

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,614

It may only have registered a point in the D column but it felt like a W and the spirit shown was fully appreciated by Tonbridge supporters who got behind their team as the fight back took shape.

It’s been a funny old week. The Christmas/New Year period was staggering to its close but there was still that confused state of not really knowing what day of the week it was, I needed the bin men to turn up on the right day to put me back on the straight and narrow. And so it was with the football. Tonbridge's defeat at Carshalton had left everyone quite devastated and really not knowing where we might be as a club in the coming days. The forum literally went pop for a couple of days, Steve McKimm went quiet on Twitter and uncertainty hung in the air like a black cloud. But the storm subsided, the forum bounced back to life and posters were largely supportive and on Friday a new signing, Chinedu McKenzie from Haringey, was announced lifting the mood prior to the game against Brightlingsea Regent.

McKenzie went straight into a starting eleven that also saw the return of Jack Parter and James Folkes to the back line.

A bitingly cold afternoon probably restricted the attendance to a below average attendance of 358 with a hardy, vocal bunch of visiting supporters from the Essex east coast.

Brightlingsea, on a good run of form with three straight wins, started the game with a confidence borne of that run. After just two minutes, Morisi Gelashvili opened up an opportunity for Harry Morgan and, although McKenzie had a shot cleared from the line at the far post, Brightlingsea forced Jonny Henly into saves from Billy Hunt and Aaron Condon. After 20 minutes, Henly advanced beyond his area to head clear with the ball falling to Ricky Griggs whose lob from 40 yards towards the unguarded goal smacked against a post.

It therefore came as no surprise that Brightlingsea took the lead after 25 minutes when a heavy touch from Folkes allowed Harvey Hood to race clear and clinically finish past Henly.

The goal at least awoke Tonbridge from their slumbers with Regent’s goalkeeper James Bradbrook collecting a Tom Parkinson header and saving from McKenzie after some good work by Tom Beere.

But no momentum was created and it needed another Henly save to deny Hunt before the break.

If the first period had been a little deflating, a second goal within two minutes for the visitors was a crashing blow as Hunt was allowed to cut in from the left and power a shot past Henly. The only optimism that could be taken was that there was plenty of time to retrieve the situation if the Tonbridge players could find the necessary spirit.

Adem Ramadan entered the fray as a 57th minute substitute for Beere and his direct running immediately lifted the atmosphere. Parkinson once more tested Bradbrook with a header and the impressive D’Sean Theobalds also employed the goalkeeper.

McKimm swapped one of his strikers, Tom Murphy, for Alex Read after 66 minutes.

Parkinson directed a third header at the goalkeeper before, after 76 minutes, a Ramadan corner was successfully converted courtesy of the skipper’s head.

A minute later exasperation rang round Longmead as Sonny Miles’ header was saved by Bradbrook with the follow-up from Read being blocked and scrambled to safety.

Seven minutes remained when Theobalds sent Read clear to powerfully shoot past Bradbrook for the equalising goal.

There was still time for a winner to be found and half chances were made for Joe Turner and Miles but a share of the points had to be settled for.

Certainly, the reception the Tonbridge side received at the end suggested that the spirit shown had resonated with the supporters and a hope that this mere register in the D column signalled that a turning point had possibly been reached.

Carshalton Athletic 3 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 77/18/1670 - Saturday, 29th December 2018 - Bostik Premier

Carshalton Athletic (1) 3 Bradford 20 Pattisson 50 Lee (o.g.) 59
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 410

Admission: £6 Senior
E-Programme: Free to download
Mileage: 100/4,576

Before I labour to write this, a 3-0 defeat is not a heart-rending last minute winner or a dodgy decision by an official that has robbed you of at least some reward. But, and once more retracing my own steps and knowing that you make your own luck, when you are in a trough the rub of the green rarely goes your way. In fact, more often than not, it needs that lucky break to climb out of the trough.

Whether it was by taking note of the clamour from supporters to play two up front or a tactical change of heart from the management team, the choice to play loanee Tom Murphy alongside Alex Read was well received by the travelling support at Colston Avenue.

Carshalton came into the game in a similar run of form having lost four on the spin and had Tonbridge taken one of two early chances that came their way, the home side’s confidence might have proved a little fragile but Joe Turner steered a header at the far post narrowly wide from a Michael West cross after three minutes and Murphy had an effort deflected wide for a corner.

But, despite the visitors having made the early running, it was Carshalton that opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Christie Pattisson showed blistering pace down the right before crossing into the path of Ola Sogbanmu whose close range shot was brilliantly parried by Jonny Henly but the rebound fell invitingly for Tommy Bradford to score.

The goal took the wind out of the Angels sails for a period but as they regrouped then the chances began to fall their way again. D’Sean Theobalds, who gave an eye-catching performance, saw his effort deflected wide and Murphy brought a decent save out of ex-Angels’ goalkeeper Billy Bishop, low to his left.

But, just prior to the break, Tonbridge might have gone two down had it not been for a fine save from Henly to deny Michael Dixon.

Five minutes into the second half, the visitors had that sinking feeling that this is not to be their day when, following a corner, the ball was laid back to Pattisson to fire a shot into the top corner from around 20 yards. If he is to score a better goal this season, I hope the Match of the Day cameras are around to see it.

It was game over on the hour mark when, once again, it appears that the world and his dog are against you. A cross from the left was met by Dixon but brilliantly pushed out by Henly only for the ball to ricochet off Arthur Lee and into his own net.

With the game effectively lost, Tonbridge continued to push forward looking for a consolation goal that might possibly turn the tide of fortune. Theobalds tested Bishop; Liam Smith steered a header wide from a corner and from a free kick, Lee put a header agonisingly wide but all to no avail and it was left to Henly to save further indignity with saves from Pattisson and Courtney Swaby.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Folkestone Invicta 3

Match 76/18/1669 - Wednesday, 26th December 2018 - Bostik Premier

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Murphy 45+3
Folkestone Invicta (1) 3 Draycott 8 Heard 79 Paxman 90
Attendance: 606

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,476

Tonbridge Angels failed brighten a slate-grey Boxing Day afternoon as they slumped to a third consecutive home defeat.

After equalising in first half injury time, Tonbridge commanded the majority of second half possession but were undone by two breakaway goals in the final 11 minutes.

Steve McKimm named his Christmas Eve signings, Tom Murphy and D’Sean Theobalds, in the starting 11 for the festive clash against fellow Kent side, Folkestone Invicta with Alex Read and Tom Beere dropping to the bench.

The Angels started brightly with Joe Turner forcing Invicta goalkeeper, Tim Roberts, into a save low to his right after just two minutes and when a Tom Parkinson cross from the right only just evaded Murphy the opening signs were positive.

But after eight minutes it was the visitors that opened the scoring. A fine pass from Kieron McCann set Adam Yusuff away down the left hand side from where he pulled a cross back from the bye-line for Ian Draycott to score from close range. In the act of attempting to deny the goalscorer, Angels’ goalkeeper was left prostrate and it was nearly four minutes before he was able to resume his position between the sticks.

Folkestone took confidence from the goal and Tonbridge’s drained away as the visitors took control of the first period. After 34 minutes, a free kick from Draycott to the far post was turned wide by Josh Vincent and Henly showed he had recovered from the knock to his head, diving bravely at the feet of Yussuf followed by another save from Draycott.

The visitors thought they had doubled their advantage two minutes before the break when McCann fired in a shot that was parried by Henly with the rebound somehow being prevented from crossing the line.

Against the run of play, Tonbridge found an equaliser in the third minute of first half added time. A corner from the right was headed on by Sonny Miles to Murphy who hooked the ball into the net from the left side of the six yard box.

The goal lifted the Tonbridge spirits going into the dressing room and from the outset of the second period they were the dominant side. A Miles head was saved by Roberts; a good break from substitute Adem Ramadan set up Turner to shoot into the side netting and from a Turner cross it was difficult to see how Craig Stone managed to lift the ball over the bar.

After 66 minutes, a long punt forward by Roberts saw the ball allowed to travel to McCann who was brought down in the box by Parkinson to concede a penalty. Yussuf’s spot kick was saved low to his right by Henly.

Tonbridge continued to hold the momentum with Tom Beere firing over at the far post before, after 79 minutes, Folkestone regained the lead. Scott Heard was allowed to travel from deep midfield without a significant challenge before unleashing a shot past Henly.

The home side pressed on to find an equaliser but were caught on the break once more in the second minute of added time when, once again, this time Alfie Paxman was allowed to dribble across the face of goal before despatching a shot in the bottom corner from 18 yards.

A frustrated Steve McKimm said afterwards: “We were dreadful in the first half, just not brave enough. In the second half, we have been camped in their half and missed two open goals. You’ve got to score from those chances, goals change games.”

Lordswood 3 Tunbridge Wells 4

Match 75/18/1668 - Saturday, 22nd December 2018 - SCEFL Premier

Lordswood (1) 3 Wells 17 Hooper 55 Hollick 75
Tunbridge Wells (1) 4 Biddlecombe 4 Williams 67 Thompson 68 Harper 90
Attendance: TBC

Admission: £3.50 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 36/4,438

Lordswood and Tunbridge Wells served up a Christmas feast with a seven goal thriller that was decided by a 90th minute goal along with two sendings-off as the visitors continued their recent revival.

With their ever-enthusiastic following in fine voice, Tunbridge Wells got off to a flyer with the opening goal after just four minutes. An initial shot was only parried back into the path of Josh Biddlecombe whose effort came off the inside of the near post to rebound to just inside the far post.

Following the opening goal, Tunbridge Wells dominated for 20 minutes with Jason Thompson instrumental in much of the forward momentum. Thompson saw his well shot saved by Dan Smith after eight minutes and Smith excelled again within a minute to touch over the bar an effort from Dane Moore and producing another fine save to deny Thompson, pushing the ball away for a corner, from which Ola Williams headed wide when he should have hit the target.

The play had been so one-way it came as a surprise when Lordswood equalised on 18 minutes. Jordan Wells rode a challenge from which the referee played a good advantage to fire into the bottom corner.

A coming together with little Christmas goodwill between Lordswood’s George Blake and Biddlecombe that saw the Tunbridge Wells player pushed to the ground. From the melee that ensued, red cards were shown to Blake and Moore. At 10-a-side, it was the home side that regrouped the better as Tunbridge Wells lost their early momentum.

Wells, who was a handful, set-up Euan Samadow who forced Callum Hampson into a save at his near post and saw a shot deflected away for a corner. A minute from the break, Williams cleared from the line an effort from Wells as the visitors clung on to their parity.

Despite, being pushed onto the back foot, Tunbridge Wells might well have gone into the break with a lead had it not been for a great save from Smith who turned a shot from Jamie Humphris onto a post.

Into the second half, it was Lordswood that got their noses in front when a cross from the right, pulled back to the edge of the box found substitute Adam Hooper whose cleanly struck shot whistled past Hampson.

Tunbridge Wells turned the game on its head with two goals in a minute. On 67 minutes, a corner from Humphris found the head of Williams to level the score. Within a minute, Thompson was allowed to travel, right to left across the 18-yard box before burying a shot into the bottom corner.

Smith saved at the feet of Humphris to keep the Lords in the game and this was rewarded after 76 minutes when Hampson failed to collect a corner allowing Jason Hollick to head into the unguarded net.

Both sides had chances to win the game before the clock ticked to the 90th minute when Humphris stood up a cross from the left for Stephen Harper to bundle the ball over the line for the winner.

Ravensbourne 1 Hugh Christie 3

Match 74/18/1667 - Wednesday, 19th December 2018 - Kent SFA Academies League

Ravensbourne (1) 1 #10 15
Hugh Christie (1) 3 Hudson 27,82 Musengyi 78
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 70/4,402

The Christmas break has arrived for the Academy teams and they can reflect on their first four months as being highly encouraging. The Elite squad, whose game at Burgesss Hill had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, have finished the period unbeaten in the league and sitting in fourth place in the table with games in hand on those above and also can take pride from being the only team to have taken a point from leaders Dover Athletic. Meanwhile, the Development team who endured a uncomfortable start to the season with a couple of seven goal defeats, have following this victory at Bromley’s Hayes Lane against Ravensbourne, back-to-back wins and are now breathing down the necks of a couple of schools that are just a point above them at the foot of the table.

The Burgess Hill postponement allowed a few Elite members to strengthen the Development team. A right wing cross from Saul Musengeyi set up a seventh minute opportunity for Leo Deere with the Ravensbourne goalkeeper saving at his feet and five minutes later Ned Snowden-Lewis set up a chance for Musengeyi but he shot wide. However, it was the Bromley side that opened the scoring after a quarter-of-an-hour when, Dylan Manning, who proceeded to take just about every dead ball kick, floated an inch-perfect free kick into the box to find the head of one of his strikers who made no mistake from six yards.

Tonbridge had to work hard to get themselves back into the game but did so, after 27 minutes, when a corner from Sam Slipper was only parried back into the danger area from where Harry Hudson got the final touch with a close range header.

Bromley reasserted themselves and saw a header come back off the crossbar and further chances brought the Angels’ goalkeeper, Joe Roberts into action.

Bromley’s Manning and the Angels’ Slipper were like a couple of quarter-backs with their dead ball accuracy causing each defence concern.

Tonbridge opened the second period strongly with Deere and Brad Needham going close whilst Roberts needed to be at his best saving low to his right and, after nearly an hour, he dived bravely at the feet of a Bromley striker who stayed down after the challenge. A five-minute stoppage followed as the stricken player was returned to the dressing room on a stretcher.

The game had an ebb and flow with neither side dominating but it was the visitors who got their noses in front with 12 minutes remaining when a fine through ball from Adam Barden, thankfully free from his role as the smallest ever stand-in goalkeeper in previous games, sent Musengeyi clear to powerfully shoot past the helpless Bromley keeper.

Tonbridge effectively put the game to bed with eight minutes remaining when a Slipper corner was met with a powerful header from Hudson, who despite his disadvantage in height, invariably wins headers in those situations.

Now in control of the game, Tonbridge might well have increased their lead with Needham firing wide and Snowden-Lewis denied by a good save, low to his left, from the Bromley goalkeeper.

Three Academy players recently graced the Tonbridge first team friendly against Dartford and several more have trained with the first team and have also appeared for the Under-21 Suburban League side. With that, everyone is rightly proud of the progress being made.