Ravensbourne 2 Hugh Christie 2

Match 63/19/1785 - Wednesday, 8th January 2020 - Academies League Premiership

Ravensbourne (1) 2
Hugh Christie (0) 2 Twist 49 (pen) Masungeyi
Headcount: 13

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 82/4,791

This week’s postponement of the first team’s game at Burgess Hill was something of a blessing as a flu bug that has swept through the Academy had affected several players.

With this, and a similar situation affecting the Bromley Academy, a stronger squad was taken to Hayes Lane for a Development fixture against Ravensbourne as manager Tom Parkinson sought to shake the post-Christmas lethargy out of his squad’s legs.

This was very much in evidence in a first half in which they struggled to come to terms with a small pitch at the rear of the main stadium and a physically bigger opposition.

Goalkeeper Charlie Martin had already been called on to make a save before a cross from the right to the far post was met with a towering header to put Bromley in front after nine minutes.

Bromley continued to press for much of the opening half-hour with the Angels failing to create any real threat. Martin was needed again to make a save from the Bromley goalscorer who was posing a constant threat.

Tonbridge created their first opportunity on 33 minutes when a well worked move between Luke Taylor and Saul Masungeyi ended with the Bromley goalkeeper making a good save turning the ball away for a corner, from which Harrison Mayhew headed narrowly wide.

Martin made a splendid save in the final minute of the first half, clawing an effort out of the top corner to preserve just a single goal deficit at the break.

A few home truths during the break saw Tonbridge open the half in a much more positive manner but it was a bit of a gift when Leo Deere was needlessly brought down for a penalty which was successfully converted by Ben Twist after 49 minutes.

A surging run and a cross across the face of goal from Taylor might have put the Angels in front a minute later, as might an effort for Bromley that Martin did well to touch over, but from the resultant corner, a tall central defender was allowed to steal in at the near post to put the home side back in front.

A good effort from Masungeyi on the hour was the precursor to an equaliser four minutes later when good work on the right set up the striker to sweep in an effort at the near post.

Both goalkeepers were kept fully employed in the remainder of the game, Martin saving well on a couple of occasions whilst the Bromley keeper denied Jacob Lambert and Taylor in a frenetic finish to a competitive game.

Parkinson was less than impressed with his side’s lacklustre performance and emphasised the need to improve both fitness and performance levels in the coming weeks if they are to continue to head the National Alliance table.

Tunbridge Wells 5 Welling Town 2

Match 62/19/1784 - Tuesday, 7th January 2020 - SCEFL Challenge Cup 2R

Tunbridge Wells (1) 5 Day 3,46,55 Froggatt 48 Wells 58
Welling Town (1) 2 Round 26 Ademiju 90
Attendance: TBC

Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/4,709

With Beckenham 12 points in front, albeit that Tunbridge Wells have three games in hand, it is perhaps unrealistic that a tilt at the SCEFL title might bee unrealistic. A top three finish certainly is not and, perhaps as in the context of this game, a cup success is well within their compass, but with every time I get to see Richard Styles’ team the more I feel that some reward is not too far away.

In this SCEFL Challenge Cup Second Round tie, an early goal for the Wells set the tone; they rode out something of a Welling Town recovery before putting the tie to bed early in the second half with four goals in the first 13 minutes.

Striker Matt Day, recently signed from Canterbury and making his home debut, stole the show with a hat-trick but every one of the Tunbridge Wells side put in an admirable shift on the pitch that the groundsmen had done well to make match fit.

After three minutes, Day opened his account when he converted from close range from a Josh Froggatt surge down the right and pinpoint cross.

Welling rallied well and were deserving of their equaliser on 26 minutes when Chris Round was afforded too much time and space to shoot past Simon Overland, who possibly might feel he could have done better.

The opening salvo of the second period saw Weling blown away. In less than a minute of the half restarting, Day added his second when sent through to coolly chip the advancing goalkeeper and, a couple of minutes later, Froggatt and Jason Thompson opened up the visitor’s defence for the former to add the third goal.

Froggatt provided an excellent assist for Matt Day to complete his hat trick on 55 minutes and Jordan Wells fired home three minutes later to make it five.

Welling’s goalkeeper Jack Moore produced several fine saves and substitute Danny Powell hit the crossbar as the home side threatened to run riot, but it stayed at five and Tobi Ademiju scored in the last minute to add a little respectability to the scoreline.

Tonbridge Angels 3 Chippenham Town 2

Match 61/19/1783 - Saturday, 4th January 2020 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 Williams 1 Theobalds 45 Turner 60
Chippenham Town (1) 2 Owen-Evans 32 Chambers 54
Attendance: 596

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,671

Muddy Marvellous!

On a pitch that in horse racing terms would have been described as beyond heavy, two teams at the wrong end of the National South table produced an epic encounter with twists and turns from the opening minute.

Tonbridge, continuing the horse racing theme, leapt out of the gates and were in front after just 35 seconds. A free kick punted forward by Rhian Bray initially found the feet of Jason Williams, his touch found Roberto Ratti whose exquisite back heel opened up the path for Williams to stride forward before curling a shot into the far corner with Chippenham goalkeeper Will Puddy grasping at thin air.

A great start but the Wiltshire side quickly recovered their composure and started taking the game to their hosts with a free kick over and a shot from Callum Gunner going wide.

After 12 minutes, Williams pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Jared Small in the first of three substitutions for the Angels in the space of 25 minutes. After 24 minutes Alex Bentley went down after making a challenge and needed to be replaced by Jack Parter with a knee injury.

After 26 minutes Harry Donovan brought a full length, low save from Puddy but Chippenham gained a deserved equaliser after 32 minutes when a cross into the box saw several deflections before the ball fell for Tom Owen-Evans to hook a shot into the net from close range. In the melee of arms and legs, Parter took a knock and he needed to substituted by Liam Smith.

Tonbridge had used all their substitutes by the 34th minute and Chippenham had used one of theirs. A consequence of pitch, a lot of games in a short space of time or just mere coincidence? Little bit all those factors, I guess.

Ben Greenhalgh’s shot took a deflection and from the resultant corner a clearance only found the waiting D’Sean Theobalds and from the edge of the box the midfielder’s drive arrowed into the net in the fifth minute of first half added time.

In the early moments of the second half, a cross to the near post from Small found Ratti who, under pressure and falling, dragged his shot narrowly wide and getting injured in the process.

Chippenham drew level in the 54th minute when Donovan, struggling with a first half injury, lost possession in the middle of the field for Owen-Evans to play in Karnell Chambers who rounded Jonny Henly to score.

Tonbridge quickly responded and were back in front five minutes later. A lofted cross into the box from James Folkes was met with a leaping header from Joe Turner that gave Puddy no chance.

Chippenham were offered a way back into the game after 79 minutes when a reckless challenge from Donovan was met with a straight red card from the referee but the man advantage lasted just four minutes when a petulant kick out from Ryan Case brought a second yellow.

Ratti, who had absolutely run himself into the ground, hooked a shot wide and for Chippenham the impressive Chambers flashed a shot across the face of goal as the Angels breathed a sigh of relief.

As the final whistle blew players from both sides slumped to the ground in sheer exhaustion, bodies strewn here, there, everywhere. But it was the Angels who had taken the spoils and into so doing leapfrogging their opponents in the table and out of the relegation places.

Maidstone United 2 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 60/19/1782 - Wednesday, 1st January 2020 - National South

Maidstone United (2) 2 Hoyte 3 Allen 27
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Williams 18 Donovan 77
Attendance: 2,520

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2
Mileage: 19/4,633

A day that started with little optimism and even a bit of apprehension ended with spirits lifted and a derby day point that should really have been all three.

The only blemish on a New Year’s Day that is will be fondly remembered was a smoke bomb that came from the Tonbridge contingent after the first equaliser which was no reflection on the magnificent support the 300 or so supporters gave their team throughout the 90 minutes.

Steve McKimm fielded his new signing from Dover, Roberto Ratti, who impressed with his tireless running.

Tonbridge had the first sighting of goal after a couple of minutes but Maidstone were in front just a minute later when a ball to the left flank saw Ibby Akanbi cross low and hard to the far post where Gavin Hoyte was on hand for little more than a tap-in.

Far from being the first realisation of worst fears, the Angels picked up the gauntlet and continued to take the game to their hosts. A corner from Ben Greenhalgh, one of 17 for the Angels, was met with a fine header from Sonny Miles pushed you safety by Stones goalkeeper Chris Lewington.

But, a minute later on the 17th, Tonbridge were level when Greenhalgh’s cross was only partially cleared to Jason Williams, who drove the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.

Maidstone regained the lead after 27 minutes when Jonny Edwards was sent clear but a wonderful saving tackle from Rhian Bray was only rewarded with the ball looping up and into the path of Allen who finished from around eight yards.

Tonbridge continued to dominate the possession and Greenhalgh, twice, and Harry Donovan both had decent efforts before the break.

If the Angels had been dominant in the first period the second half was going to become a procession as the traffic became as one way as the county town’s road system.

From the outset, George Elokobi cleared a Bray header from the line and the resultant corner saw a golden chance for Ratti spurned.

Lewington was the only man standing between Tonbridge and an equaliser making saves from Alex Bentley, Williams and substitute Jared Small. Frustration that continued pressure had not brought reward was relieved on 77 minutes when Donovan picked up another loose clearance, stepped forward a couple of paces and drove a low shot between Lewington and his near post.

In the fairness of reporting, Maidstone did press the urgency button and had a couple of efforts that were nothing more than wasteful and barely threatened whilst a couple of late Greenhalgh free kicks caused all sorts of concern for the hosts.

Dartford 3 Tonbridge 0

Match 59/19/1781 - Saturday, 28th December 2019 - National South

Dartford (1) 3 McQueen 27 Romain 68 Sheringham 90+3
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,239

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 64/4,614

Since the start of the season and a narrow defeat at home to Dulwich, I and many others have made the comment that nobody has really turned Tonbridge over, unfortunately that comment is no more, Dartford well and truly turned us over.

Dartford fielded a side that showed just one player from that Tuesday evening in early September when the Angels 3-2 victory ended the reign of Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan at Princes Park. That Dartford side were a shambles, this one was one, if not the, best sides we have played this season.

Tonbridge were on the back foot from the outset with Jack Parter clearing Elliott Romain’s header from the line after five minutes.

Dartford continued to hold the momentum with a penalty claim after Darren McQueen had been brought down. Meanwhile, Tonbridge were literally barely getting out of their own half, let alone threatening the home goal.

The opening goal, that had been a long time coming, was scored after 27 minutes when a long ball over the top was seized upon by Tyrique Hyde whose initial effort was blocked but the rebound fell for McQueen to fire into the roof of the net.

The one-way traffic continued and a clearance from the line was once more required to deny Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong.

After 41 minutes, Tonbridge finally registered a shot on target, albeit that Jared Small’s effort was little more than fielding practice for the Darts’ goalkeeper, Alhaji Sesay.

A minute later, Dartford struck the post when Romain’s low shot stayed out after hitting the inside of the woodwork and rebounding across the face of the goal. Tonbridge were somehow still in the game at half-time with a single goal deficit with both sets of supporters wondering how.

With, what could only have been a half-time rollicking from Steve McKimm ringing in their ears, Tonbridge came out and, for a 20 minute period, looked to be competitive and threatening with Small actually bringing a meaningful save out of Sesay with a couple of minutes gone.

The game was quite end-to-end and hopes were beginning to rise but these came crashng to earth when Romain was allowed to run with the ball before unleashing a fierce 25-yarder into the bottom corner to double Dartford’s advantage.

That was probably it and it took the sting out of the game as Dartford easily contained any threat from their visitors and seemed content with what they had. But a curious incident with a couple of minutes remaining might well have set up a grandstand finish. A seemingly innocuous challenge from Khale Da Costa on Sesay sparked a melee in which the Dartford central defender Josh Hill push a Tonbridge player to the ground with the referee brandishing a red card in his direction in lightening fashion. Tonbridge contended that the offence should result in a penalty but the referee gave a free kick to Dartford for the initial offence from which he appeared to have played on.

With Tonbridge throwing Sonny Miles forward in search of a consolation, a right wing surge from Luke Wanadio ended with a pull back from the bye-line offering Charlie Sheringham a tap-in for Dartford’s third. Sheringham and Wanadio coming off the bench really highlighted the differences in resources between the clubs.

After the Boxing Day postponement of the derby day fixture against Maidstone United and this defeat, it has not been a Christmas to remember for the Angels.

Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 58/19/1780 - Saturday, 21st December 2019 - National South

Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 1 Muir 90+3
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Turner
Attendance: 424
New Ground: 339

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 186/4,550

Angels Boss, Steve McKimm refused to be downbeat after the game despite the fact he had seen his side concede a stoppage time equaliser that denied the Kent side two precious points in their quest to climb away from the lower reaches of National South.

“I’m proud of the performance the boys gave today against a side full of experience. I know people will say we haven’t won away from home yet this season, but I don’t want our players to get hung up on that, the fact is we are picking up points away from home and whether that comes through draws or wins the points will stack up. I’m sure the majority of our supporters ,who I must say were again fantastic today, will have left very pleased with what they have seen from their team.”

Not for the first time this campaign, McKimm was forced to re-calibrate his squad to take account of injuries. Although Jack Parter was able to resume normal duties at left back the absence of Christ Tiehi meant that Alex Bentley was moved to the holding midfield position while Jason Williams became the lone striker replacing the injured Tom Derry. Jarrod Small took over right wing duties from Khale Da Costa who was another on the injured list. The unwell Harry Donovan although named on the bench was only able to participate in the final moments of the game. To sum up the bench consisted of one substitute goalkeeper Ted McDonald, one new signee Jayden Antwi-Nyame, an unwell Donovan and the injured Da Costa.

Despite this, the Angels went toe to toe with a high riding Hemel Hempstead and came within a minute of nicking all the points which given the circumstances would have been some achievement.

Not surprisingly The Tudors made most of the running during the early stages with Craig Bramham-Barrett particularly prominent down the left flank with Jake Howells pulling the strings in midfield. The Angels defence was forced to keep their concentration but led by skipper Sonny Miles with Alex Bentley doing some sterling work just in front of the back line. The times that Hemel Hempstead did manage to pierce the Tonbridge rearguard, they found keeper Jonny Henly in excellent form with top drawer saves in the 35th and 44th Minutes.

There were few moments for Tonbridge up front despite the unselfish work from striker Jason Williams. In the 34th minute Jarrod Small made a searing run down the right flank and turned along the bye line but his short cross was somehow cut out by a Hemel Hempstead defender for a corner.

The second period saw an improvement in the game with a more open style of play from both sides and from Angels in particular who gave notice that they were not simply there to make up the numbers. In the very first minute of the second half a piece of miss communication between a Hemel Hempstead defender and the goalkeeper let in Small but the winger’s angle was too tight and the shot hit the side netting.

The hosts thought they had scored in the 49th minute but the whistle had gone for a foul. They did however force another good save from Henly a minute later.

On 53 minutes, Williams saw his shot blocked on the line after good work from D’Sean Theobalds and Joe Turner and you sensed that Angels were starting to believe they could get something from the game. Just a minute later Jack Parter put through Turner, the winger made the space for the shot but it lacked genuine power. It was however simply a prelude to what was to follow when in the 70th minute again fed by Parter the winger hit an unstoppable piledriver into the top right hand corner of the Tudors net.

Inevitably there was to be a response from Hemel Hempstead and it needed a saving tackle from Bentley in the 83rd minute. However it was to be Tonbridge who were creating the clearer chances with a couple of efforts inches wide from Greenhalgh and a shot from Theobalds

As the game entered stoppage time it seemed as if the Angels would be celebrating that first away win but in a mad couple of minutes with goalkeeper Sam Beasant going up for the final set piece somehow Niko Muir forced the ball over the line despite Henly claiming he was held. In truth it was difficult for the referee to see through all the many players in the goal area.

Ravensbourne 2 Hugh Christie 0

Match 57/19/1779 - Wednesday, 18th December 2019 - Academies Championship North

Ravensbourne (1) 2
Hugh Christie (0) 0
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 70/4,364

If Rhys Bartlett could wish for anything for his Development squad it would be that Santa Claus delivers them a package of self-belief. In their last game of the year at Bromley’s Hayes Lane they were the equals of their hosts but came away with a 2-0 defeat in a competitive game. On occasions this squad beat themselves before they start and if they had just a little more faith in their own ability they would be winning games like this one but goalkeeper Josh Watfa at least had the satisfaction of backing up his first clean sheet of the season last week with a fine penalty save.