Oxford City 5 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 102/21/1966 - Saturday, 5th March 2022 - National League South

Oxford City (2) 5 Ashby 13,20 O'Donker 60 Iaciofano 82 Clark 90+1
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 402
Admission: £8 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 222/5,855

I should possibly have guessed that when stepping through my front gate to walk the dog and getting immediately drowned by a car splashing through a big puddle that it was not going to be my day. Perhaps I should have heeded the omen and gone back to bed!

If all the ducks were perfectly aligned, Tonbridge Angels trip to third placed Oxford City was always going to be a big ask but when your goalkeeper is sent off after just 10 minutes, and there is no substitute keeper on the bench, the task becomes virtually impossible.

A punt forward saw Jonny Henly advance beyond his box, one would presume to head the ball clear as an Oxford attacker closed him down. Unfortunately for Henly, the ball failed to bounce high enough off the artificial surface and, instinctively, he leaned his shoulder in towards the ball. From a distance, it was difficult for me to know exactly where the ball struck his body, but in fairness, there was little dispute with the decision to show him a red card.

Jamie Fielding bravely stepped forward to take the jersey, commenting after the game that being a good fielder at cricket in his youth was his only qualification for taking on role between the sticks. His first act as custodian was to pick the ball out of the net as the resultant free kick from Josh Ashby was despatched into the bottom corner beyond his despairing dive.

Fielding’s next touch of the ball was a carbon copy of the first. A free kick conceded in a similar position after 19 minutes was curled over the wall by Ashby giving him very little chance. At this stage, two words featured heavily in conversation among the Angels’ support, damage limitation.

And in fairness, they largely achieved this objective in the run-up to the break. Fielding rose in confidence as he successfully collected a cross and just past the half-hour the home goalkeeper was pressed into action emerging with the ball following a scramble within the six yard box.

Fielding used his feet to good effect, five minutes before the break, blocking twice before the ball was blazed over.

There was little that could be said or done by Steve McKimm that would change the course of events in the second period. Fielding continued with his heroics when saving, before seeing the return shot hit a post and a third effort only finding the side netting. But the respite was short and Oxford added a third after Fielding had done well to parry a shot low to this left, but Gatlin O’Donker was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

Two goals in the last 10 minutes made the scoreline a hard one to take and a clear penalty appeal for handball that was turned away by the referee just about summed up the afternoon.

One of those that you just have to hold up your hands and move on, bit like myself and the dog after the puddle!

Tonbridge Angels Academy 3 Dover Athletic Academy 1

Match 101/21/1965 - Wednesday, 2nd March 2022 - National Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 Hartley 22 McArthur 38 Barden 66
Dover Athletic (0) 1
Headcount: 20
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 32/5,633

Despite what Academy manager Tommy Parkinson described as a “a poor performance that lacked energy and quality”, the Academy cruised to a relatively comfortable victory that returned them to the top of the National League Alliance.

Early opportunities on a damp, miserable lunchtime at King’s Hill fell to Fin Hartley, who linked well with Ben Hermitage and a shot from Luca Woodhouse that stretched the visiting Dover Athletic goalkeeper.

Dover were being forced to defend for long periods and, on 21 minutes a Hartley header was cleared from the line but Dover’s relief was only to last a minute when the striker glanced a header from a Woodhouse free kick into the bottom corner.

With Hermitage and Hartley combining well, chances fell for Hartley who narrowly missed with a touch at the near post and forcing the goalkeeper into a decent save on the half hour.

Tonbridge doubled their lead after 38 minutes when a superb through ball from Hermitage sent Josh McArthur clear to produce a composed finish past the advancing keeper.

Dover asked a question of Tonbridge goalkeeper, Nat Gibb, for the first time just prior to the break but the home side were good value for their two goal lead at half-time.

The Academy had chances to put the game to bed in the opening quarter hour before Gibb allowed a free kick to evade his grasp and drop into the net at this right hand post.

But no sooner had the visitors found their way back into the game, they gifted Tonbridge a goal to restore their two goal advantage. A poor clearance landed straight at Hartley’s feet and he sent substitute Isaac Barden clear to finish well.

Eight minutes remained when central defender Tom Green strode forward to crack in a 30 yard pile driver that crashed down from the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

Tom Parkinson commented after the game: “A poor performance from the squad today that lacked energy and quality. Credit to Dover who played well in the game. We need to be a lot better as a team in future games.”

Punjab United 1 Tunbridge Wells 0

Match 100/21/1964 - Tuesday, 1st March 2022 - SCEFL Premier

Punjab United (0) 1 Vines 74
Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Attendance: 86
Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 48/5,601

Football is often not fair and sometimes defies logic and on a cold, wet and thoroughly miserable evening at the Elite Venue, home to Punjab United, this was apparent to all Tunbridge Wells supporters in a small attendance of 86.

In making notes for this blog post, after five minutes I recorded a header from Warren Beattie that was saved by Frankie Leonard and the next record of attacking intention from Punjab came on 67 minutes when a Paul Vines effort cleared the bar by some distance. By that fifth minute effort, Tunbridge Wells had already had the ball in the net following a corner but that was chalked off, seemingly for a handball.

A cocktail of profligate finishing and brilliant, sometimes almost eccentric, goalkeeping from Max Ovenden saw 11 first half efforts go into the notebook without recording an actual goal.

The muscular strike force of Matt Gethin and Fjord Rogers, aided by the creative industry of Connor Pring, at times opened up the home defence at will but the chances came and went with regular abandon.

After 14 minutes Gethin brought a good save out of Ovenden, low to his right and, on 25 minutes, Fjord Rogers had the ball in the net for a second time but this was also disallowed for hand ball. It was the correct decision but Rogers was unfortunate as the ball reared up off the sodden surface and struck his hand.

And so it continued … Gethin saw a shot deflected safely into the hands of Ovenden and when, just past the half-hour mark, Ovenden was finally beaten by a header from Freeman Rogers there was a player stationed on the post to head clear.

Before the half-time break, Fjord saw half-chances dragged wide and good combination work ended with James Nurden firing over leaving the Wells supporters scratching their heads in bemusement.

The second half began in much the same vein but as the hour mark was reached there was a sense of desperation that was beginning to stretch the game and, in quick succession, Punjab broke away but only for their efforts to be as wasteful as those of their visitors.

Then, what seemed almost unthinkable given the one-sided nature of the game, Punjab produced a goal when a cross into the box failed to find a clearance and, in the scramble that followed, the veteran Vines stabbed the ball into the bottom corner.

If they had not laid siege on the Punjab goal previously now it was caution to the wind time, with even the diminutive, in terms of a goalkeeper, Leonard going forward for a corner but with the same outcome, chances going begging until the clock finally ran down.

How, and why, must have been the questions in every car heading back to Tunbridge Wells, doubtless nobody would have had a logical answer.

K Sports U18 6 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 99/21/1963 - Monday, 28th February 2022 - Isthmian Youth League

K Sports Under-18 (2) 6 Munn 7 Brooker 32,46,90 Thomas 74 (pen) Hillier 90
Tonbridge Angels Under-18 (1) 2 Wolvey 3 Burke 59
Attendance: 76
Admission: £3
Programme: None
Mileage: 236/5,553

Two goals in the final minute perhaps gave an unfair reflection of the game but, there can be no doubt that K Sports were good value for their win.

A superb hat trick from K Sports’ Harry Brooker was the highlight of a match in which the Tonbridge Angels back line struggled to contain a vibrant K Sports attack.

The Angels Under-18’s got off to a great start and were ahead after just three minutes when a free kick lofted into the box saw the K Sports goalkeeper make a good save from a header but Fin Wolvey capitalised on the loose ball to score at the far post.

The joy was, however, short lived as the home side were level after seven minutes. A long punt forward saw the visiting defence allow the ball to bounce and K Sports’ Richard Munn was allowed to hook the ball into the net.

An all-action opening 15 minutes saw the Angels goalkeeper, Matt Larkin make a fine save at his near post with his feet and then save a penalty from Brooker low to his left.

Although K Sports were dominating, Tonbridge were not without their own chances with Rockie Burke heading over and firing wide.

K Sports took the lead after 32 minutes with an exquisite lob by Brooker from 20 yards that went in off the far post.

Tonbridge’s defensive frailty was exposed within a minute of the second half restart when a long cross found Brooker at the far post for an easy header.

The Angels responded well with a surging run from Harry London that ended with the goalkeeper saving at his feet and following the introduction from the bench of George Theis, good work between Theis, London and David Howie set Burke up to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Haydn Velvick came off the bench and his pace immediately created a chance for himself but the goalkeeper smothered at his feet.

But after 75 minutes, K Sports were handed their second chance from the spot after Joe McCusker was deemed to have pulled back a K’s forward and this time the penalty was converted by Joe Thomas into the bottom corner.

Two remarkable goals in the final minute added gloss the the home side’s win when a 25 yard strike into the top corner gave the impressive Brooker his hat trick which was quickly followed by sixth when the ball was dribbled into the box by Johnnie Hillier before his shot was buried into the bottom corner.

Dom Welsh agreed that his side deserved nothing out of the match but it was not a 6-2 game. “We played well at times but conceded some pretty poor goals.”

Hampton & Richmond Borough P-P Tonbridge Angels

Saturday, 19th February 2022 - National League South

Hampton & Richmond Borough P
Tonbridge Angels P
Wasted Mileage: 120/5,285

Storm Eunice battered the United Kingdom on Friday, leaving the rail network in disarray. I had chosen to travel to Hampton by train because of the lack of parking at the Beveree and the surrounding residential area. The train from Staplehurst to Waterloo suffered a 20 minute delay which, as it turned out, was a minor irritation. Once arrived in London, we were met with fellow Angels supporters who informed us of no service to Hampton and were going to make their way to Charlton instead. Luckily, my travelling companion is a public transport guru and he quickly established that via an open line down to Kingston, we could catch the bus to Hampton, which we did and the plan worked perfectly arriving at the ground at 1:45 pm. The very first voices we heard on entrance were those of excited Hampton management pronouncing to their players that the referee had deemed the pitch playable and that it was game on!

Whilst queueing for a cup of tea, rain started to fall and with cuppa in hand we sought sanctuary in the bar, more for warmth than for reasons of the rain. As we looked out of the window, the players were going through their warm-up routines, so presumably all was well. Then, at 2:35, message came to the bar, that on further inspection, the referee had decided that the pitch had deteriorated and that the game should be postponed as blues skies took their place overhead.

In fairness, my pictures evidently don’t give a fair reflection and an area in the centre circle was underwater. Writing this whilst watching Leeds v Manchester United where the Premier League show ponies were splashing their way across an Elland Road pitch, I couldn’t help but think back 24 hours and question whether the Hampton pitch was any worse.

My problems for the day had not ended as by now all trains from Kingston back into Waterloo were now cancelled. Thankfully, my day took a turn for the better as the Club Secretary offered me a lift back to Tonbridge.

My issue is not with Hampton & Richmond Borough as such, this isn’t the first time I’ve travelled to a match that has been postponed and it won’t be the last. But I fail to understand the referee’s point of view that the pitch deteriorated that much in the space of probably less than half-hour. I find it hard to believe that it was playable at the time of the first inspection. Gary McCann, the Hampton manager, also said in his after match interview, that the game should have been called off earlier which probably would not have stopped me getting as far as Waterloo but would have saved the onward journey.

To round off my day, by the time I got home I had developed a cold! Update: the cold turned into Covid!

North Leigh Academy 5 Tonbridge Angels Academy 2

Match 98/21/1962 - Thursday, 17th February 2022 - National League Alliance League Cup QF

North Leigh Academy (4) 5 Kennedy 7 Barrett 15 Evans 28,78 Day 38
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Hermitage 66 Woodhouse 90
Headcount: 20
New Ground: 348

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 236/5,553

The Angels Academy made their National League Alliance League Cup exit at the Quarter Final stage as hosts North Leigh recorded a 5-2 win at windswept Tilsley Park in Abingdon. Playing the first half against the wind, the Angels gave themselves too much to do in the second half, going into the break four goals adrift.

Tommy Parkinson felt after the game that “there was not a lot in the game. They were just better in final third and had better quality.”

Nobody would have been caught by surprise at the potency of this North Leigh side who have a 100% win record in their Division having scored 97 goals from their 14 games and, for good measure, put seven past Hungerford Town in this competition.

Tonbridge started the game well and had an early opportunity when Elliott Duncan went clear down the left and his pass across the face of goal begged a touch but, after seven minutes, it was the home side that opened the scoring when a cross from the right by Josh Hedges gave Freddie Kennedy an easy headed finish at the far post.

The Angels responded well to the setback with the home goalkeeper, Tim Mungall, smothering at the feet of Duncan and Sam Grant flashing the ball across the face of goal, but they were made to pay for these missed chances when, from the edge of the D, Connor Barrett curled an unstoppable free kick into the top corner.

North Leigh, now with the tails up, took control of the game although, on 24 minutes, Duncan was sent clear, rounded the goalkeeper, but found the angle too tight and only found the side netting.

Just past the half-hour mark, North Leigh stretched their lead to three when Harry Evans touched in from close range after a shot by Hedges came back from the crossbar.

Nat Gibb made a good, low save to deny Kieran Day but when a pass split the Tonbridge defence, this time Day made no mistake.

Without doubt, the wind had been a major factor and the Angels made a much better fist of the second period when they had that advantage, but the mountain that they had left themselves was too much of a challenge.

Fin Hartley forced the goalkeeper into a low save and from the resultant corner, Tom Green fired over and full back Reece Anderson-Worden got forward twice in a couple of minutes firing over and seeing a shot well saved by Mungall.

Tonbridge got onto the scoresheet on 66 minutes when good work from Duncan saw him round the goalkeeper before pulling the ball back for Ben Hermitage to score from close range.

Sadly, any thoughts of a comeback were put to bed with 12 minutes remaining when a through ball allowed Evans to finish from 10 yards.

A superb free kick bent into the top corner from Luca Woodhouse gave the scoreline a respectability that was deserved from the Angels second half showing.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Maidstone United 0

Match 97/21/1961 - Tuesday, 15th February 2022 - Kent Senior Cup 2R

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1Coombes 45
Maidstone United (0) 0
Attendance: 579

Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/5,317

As a historian of Tonbridge Angels and old enough to remember when the Kent Senior Cup was a big deal and, fading memory it might be, when we last won the trophy back in 1975 when John Keirs and George Putman wrote their names into history as tonight’s visitors, Maidstone United, were beaten on their own patch at London Road.

Since that day, just two Final appearances, 15 years ago brought a defeat against Bromley and nine years ago, a particularly embarrassing defeat against Charlton Athletic, who were represented by a second, perhaps even third string squad.

The competition is, sadly, no more than a vehicle for giving fringe players and youngsters game time and this second round tie saw the Angels give first team debuts to Academy skipper Joe Tyrie, Luca Woodhouse and Toby McKimm with Ben Hermitage coming off the bench after just a quarter of an hour and Tom Green getting the last 15 minutes whilst Maidstone United did similarly.

Steve McKimm’s reshuffle also saw Tom Beere take a role at left back.

For the Kent Senior Cup, an impressive attendance of 579 with a healthy, boisterous following from the county town took their places on a damp evening following a day that had brought a lot of rain but the pitch presented no problems that would necessitate a pitch inspection.

The game didn’t exactly start on a high for the Angels with Ibrahim Olutade on the end of a heavy challenge and needing treatment after just three minutes, he returned to the action but after a quarter of an hour he needed to be substituted by Ben Hermitage.

Sadly for the youngster his first challenge saw him booked within about 30 seconds of coming on. Personally, I thought a ticking off would suffice but referee Kirsty Dowle deemed otherwise. But credit to the youngster, he never let the caution affect him.

After 25 minutes, Aaron Smith-Joseph rattled the Maidstone crossbar with a cross-cum-shot and moments later Hermitage brought a save out of the young Maidstone goalkeeper, Harley Earle.

At the other end, Toby McKimm was brought into the action making a double save, first to deny Bivesh Gurung with his feet and then to comfortably save from Jimiel Chikukwa.

Tonbridge were under some pressure at this stage and Jerry O’Sullivan was needed to clear as a cross sailed over the head of the goalkeeper.

But the Angels rode out that little storm and started to make chances of their own again with Woodhouse seeing a shot blocked and Earle dealing with efforts from Adam Coombes, Adam Lovatt and Doug Loft and they were deserving of their lead, right on the break, when Hermitage crossed to the far post for Coombes to score with a stooping header.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart, Gurung received a yellow card when he brought down Hermitage as he broke clear.

Coombes just failed to get on the end of a Smith-Joseph cross and both tested Earle a few minutes later but the Maidstone keeper was equal to the test.

Meanwhile, McKimm was also proving equal to the sporadic attacks of the visitors.

Hermitage sensed a moment of glory with 15 minutes remaining but his shot was sliced and drifted wide and minutes later his shot was well saved by Earle, who also excelled to deny James Taylor.

Tom Green entered the fray and was immediately offered a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box but it was blocked.

The vastly experienced George Elokobi was booked for an ugly lunge on Hermitage, who by now was looking to be having the time of his life!

Time added came and went. It was only the Kent Senior Cup, but any win against Maidstone is to be celebrated and a proud day for the Academy was more than enough reason for further celebration.

Photo: Dave Couldridge