Ramsgate 4 Tonbridge Angels 3

Match 87/22/2094 - Tuesday, 14th March 2023 - Kent Senior Cup QF

Ramsgate (2) 4 Carvalho 27 Rowland 44,68 Riley-Snow 66
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Greenidge 15 Rutherford 54 Tommy Wood (pen) 60
Attendance: 240

Admission: Pass
Programme: Free
Mileage: 100/6,066

48 years of hurt won’t stop us dreaming, but it will become 49.

Three cup competitions, three mishaps against lower league teams, whoever is in charge from George Cohen through to Jay Saunders, some things never change.

The Kent Senior Cup was never on the high priority list but a Cup Final day out at Gillingham was something that could be looked forward as an end of season reward for supporters. But, sadly, our Cup jinx endures for another year.

Jay Saunders either rested or had unavailable six of Saturday’s starting line-up and, to be honest, it showed in a performance that was way below par.

Ramsgate are a progressive club on and off the pitch; leading Isthmian South East and engaging with the local community to great effect with the advent of their 3G pitch a couple of years ago.

The evening started well enough with the Angels on top and eventually going in front on 15 minutes through Jordan Greenidge, who cut in from the right to fire into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later, Greenidge had the ball in the net again with a well placed header but this was ruled out with a debatable offside decision. At 2-0 up, who knows?

Tonbridge continued to hold the majority of the play, so it was somewhat against the run of play when Ramsgate equalised with a goal from Gil Carvalho after a cross from Callum Emptage found the scorer getting in front of Tariq Hinds.

Greenidge created his own opportunity to restore the lead on 35 minutes but dragged his shot wide

If questions were to be asked of the defending for the opening goal, they certainly needed asking for the second as Kane Rowland was allowed to meet a cross unchallenged to deflect the ball past a static George Bentley.

As the weather deteriorated from a light drizzle to a torrential downpour that had the Tonbridge contingent scuttling back to the covered terrace that is set back some distance, their side came out for the second half full of attacking intent to retrieve the game. Tommie Fagg struck a good shot that was parried to safety by Josh Bexon before, in the 54th minute, after an initial cross from the right by Jack Wood, the ball fell to Fyn Rutherford who curled his shot into the top corner for the equaliser.

Tonbridge were in front five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Tommy Wood was brought down. The striker took the penalty himself to send Bexon the wrong way.

In two horrible minutes for goalkeeper Bentley, the tie was turned on its head in favour of Ramsgate. Firstly, on 66 minutes, a shot from 30 yards by Blaise Riley-Snow crept under the keeper to gift the home side an equaliser and, two minutes later, a heavy touch from a back pass ended with a clearance straight to a Ramsgate player who touched it inside to Rowland for the easiest of tasks to stroke the ball into an unguarded goal.

Such was the erratic nature of the game, it felt that there were more goals to come but Aransibia pulled a shot wide in the best of the late opportunities.

So, another year passes without cup success; should three points be won at Havant in the quest for a play-off spot on Saturday, this will be quickly forgotten. But, for now, this was a lost opportunity.

Sheppey United U18 0 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 86/22/2093 - Monday, 13th March 2023 - Isthmian Youth

Sheppey United U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Garcia 34 McLeod 84
Attendance: 22

Admission: £3
Programme: None
Mileage: 54/5,966

The Under-18’s moved into fourth place in the table with a sound performance at Sheppey United and now sit just a point behind their hosts in their quest for a top three finish.

A day of gale force winds had subsided into what was still a strong wind that would be a factor in the game’s quality.

The opening quarter hour was evenly fought that showed every indication of a close, hard fought encounter that would ensue.

Both sides had efforts on goal in the first five minutes with Reuben Etherington firing over for the Angels and Harrison McCall shooting wide after winning the ball in midfield.

The home side enjoyed the better of the early exchanges although Matt Larkin was only really tested the once saving at the feet of Raeden Jeffrey.

McCall produced a surging run from deep before shooting wide on 28 minutes before a superb strike from Zach Garcia from 20 yards with an angled shot into the top corner gave the Angels the lead. It was a fitting end to an industrious half from the Angels midfield engine.

The Angels finished the half on top with further efforts from Sam Firman.

With the wind slightly in their favour second half, Sheppey pushed hard for an equaliser but the Angels back line remained resolute with Garcia and Etherington putting in immense shifts in front of them.

So resolute were the Angels that whilst reducing the hosts to shots from distance that didn’t test Larkin, the best of the chances fell to the visitors with Firman bringing a good save from Sam Nicholson.

Six minutes from the end, Tonbridge as good as wrapped up the game when Fin McLeod headed home a Felix Waring corner.

Unfortunately the game ended on a low when the Angels' Rockie Burke and Sheppey’s Ezra Oloyede saw red cards after a difference of opinion that sparked a mass outbreak of handbags.

That brought added time of 12 minutes in which the Angels preserved their clean sheet with relative ease.

Dom Welsh acknowledged the game hadn’t been a classic but that his side “completed the double over a talented Sheppey United side with some excellent defending and very good game management. We are learning different ways to win which is key for development.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Ebbsfleet United 1

Match 85/22/2092 - Saturday, 12th March 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wagstaff 84
Ebbsfleet United (1) 1 Wright 42
Attendance: 1,770

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,912

Draws bring a range of emotions. They can be a fair result; they can bring disappointment when you feel your side deserved more or they can feel like a win and this was the emotion as Tonbridge Angels took their fourth point of the season from the champions-elect, Ebbsfleet United.

All week I had labelled this encounter as a free hit with low expectation. True, the Angels were in decent form but their opponents were 14 games unbeaten and coming in off the back of a 7-2 demolition of play-off chasing Worthing. But, for manager’s, there is no such thing as a free hit and Jay Saunders surprised many with his team selection that saw leading goalscorer Jordan Greenidge rested to the bench.

Plenty of people in an attendance of 1,770, a league game record for Longmead, heeded the advice to arrive early and the bars and tea shacks were busy over an hour before kick-off. Naturally enough, given their runaway status at the top of National League South, Ebbsfleet brought a healthy support, estimated at around 600.

Through the first half, the game seemed to be taking its expected course with the Angels aiding the visitors cause with a half in which they gave the ball away, too often and far too cheaply.

But, in truth, despite a huge amount of possession, clear cut chances for Ebbsfleet were few and far between. After 10 minutes, Jonny Henly saved comfortably a low shot from Omari Sterling-James and it was another 25 minutes before he was tested again, taking a knock for his trouble.

In between, Tonbridge had their moments with Mark Cousins saving at his near post from Tariq Hinds and a Joe Turner free kick from a good position clearing the bar.

Greg Cundle had the ball in the Angels net on 35 minutes but was clearly offside and as the clock ticked towards the break, hopes of getting to the dressing room unscathed were dashed when a shot from Josh Wright came back from the crossbar and as bodies tumbled in the box, the ball landed back at Wright’s feet to stab it home.

Devonte Aransibia was introduced for the injured Jamie Fielding at the break and immediately Tonbridge retained possession better and with it Scott Wagstaff’s influence grew.

That’s not to say that Ebbsfleet didn’t have their chances early in the second period to put the game to bed. Cundle was through one-on-one with Henly, but the goalkeeper came out on top.

But now the home side were creating their own chances as Turner shot into the side netting and Jack Wood fired over after good work from Hinds and when, with seven minutes remaining, an ugly clearance from Haydn Hollis bounced of his own bar, you sensed that the league leaders were wobbling.

And from the resultant corner, Ben Swift headed back into the centre from beyond the far post, Tommie Fagg challenged and as the ball dropped, Wagstaff stabbed home at the second attempt.

An Aransibia effort from 20 yards dipped at the last moment and only narrowly cleared the bar to deny what would have been a celebrated double.

Disgruntled Ebbsfleet fans were heard grumbling about their team and the miles travelled as they departed. Cheer up guys, you’ll win the league by more than 20 points and next season Gateshead is a mere 300 miles away.

Pictures: Kathryn Bell

Eastbourne Borough 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 84/22/2091 - Tuesday, 7th March 2023 - National League South

Eastbourne Borough (0) 1 Remy 82
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Jack Wood 2,30
Attendance: 625

Admission: Pass
Programme: £3
Mileage: 81/5,874

My beloved Angels, why do you put me through the wringer time and time again!

A squad so threadbare only three substitutes could be named and one of them a goalkeeper with the starting XI containing players obviously out of position roared into a two goal first half lead before surviving a second half onslaught of Alamo proportions.

Priory Lane, home of Eastbourne Borough, has never been a happy hunting ground with no victory since 2012 and the outlook was not looking good with Scott Wagstaff needing to fill at right back for the injured Jamie Fielding; Jack Wood coming in for the absent loanee Marcel Elva-Fountaine whilst Craig Braham-Barrett and Tommie Fagg remained on the unavailable list.

That low sense of expectation was quickly dispelled with a goal within two minutes. A cross from the left from Joe Turner was rather lamely cleared to Devonte Aransibia just outside the box, who laid it off for Jack Wood to curl a shot past Lee Worgan and into the far corner.

Tonbridge bossed the opening half-hour with the home side showing very little forward momentum and it was no great surprise when the Angels went two up after 30 minutes. From a quickly taken throw-in just inside their own half, Jordan Greenidge back heeled into the path of Tommy Wood who linked brilliantly with his namesake who strode to the edge of the box, skipping a challenge before burying a low shot into the far corner.

Worgan was pressed into action a couple of minutes later when he pushed away a low cross before Eastbourne had their first sight of goal on 37 minutes when the ball was fed to the left for Leone Gravata to bring a good low save out of Jonny Henly.

A free kick from Aransibia in an encouraging position was comfortably saved by Worgan and, just before the break, Greenidge drove into the area to fire in a shot that the goalkeeper did well to push away for a corner.

It had been a great half for the Angels, two fine goals and chances for the home side kept to a bare minimum so the second half onslaught after, no doubt, a few home truths in the home dressing room was to be ex[pected.

An early cross from the right saw a Jaden Perez header drift harmlessly wide but, on the counter attack, the Angels were also dangerous and when Greenidge got into his stride, the Eastbourne defence were finding him pretty much unmanageable. On 57 minutes, from inside his own half, he broke away down the left and, although Kai Innocent kept pace with him, he could not prevent the big striker from getting his shot away, narrowly missing at the far post.

The action switched immediately back to the other end with Jonny Henly making a good save to claw the ball out of the top corner following a shot from 20 yards by Perez.

The pressure on the Tonbridge goal was mounting but the efforts were largely tame with Henly only being pressed into a couple of routine saves although an 80th minute interception from Sonny Miles seemed crucial. But, two minutes later, a penalty, the fourth in three games, was conceded, albeit that it was an almighty soft one. A ball, lofted into the box, saw Norman Wabo tangle with Tommy Wood and go down, the referee gave it some thought before pointing to the spot, from where Shiloh Remy sent Henly the wrong way to set up a nail biting finish.

Luke Pearce for he home side shot low for a regulation save from Henly before Greenidge had another 30 yard gallop that brought a similar save from Worgan and when referee Robinson-Tant indicated that there would be three minutes of added time, less than expected, memories of Hemel Hempstead when he infuriated Angels’ supporters by playing virtually no added time were stirred. This time we were grateful for the small amount which was seen out with no great alarm but greeted with much relief and delight at the final whistle.

The last week or so has seen more ups and downs than Blackpool’s Big Dipper and, without putting the cart before the horse again, I’m expecting that is going to be the story of the next six weeks,

K Sports U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 1

Match 83/22/2090 - Monday, 6th March 2023 - Isthmian Youth

K Sports U18 (1) 1 Thain 25
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 Burke 80
Attendance: 23

Admission: £3
Programme: None
Mileage: 28/5,793

It was a frustrating evening at Cobdown as bottom club K Sports took a point from the Angels Under-18’s.

Tonbridge had more than enough chances to win the game comfortably but after conceding a poor goal on 25 minutes, it took until 10 minutes from time to finally find an equaliser.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “That epitomises our season, one good performance followed by one slightly average one.”

Throughout the game, the Angels approach play was good, with Mike Hollamby excellent; Sam Firman and Felix Waring opening up the K’s defence with skilful footwork but it all sadly went to waste in front of goal.

But, in fairness to K Sports, they defended bravely, continually making important blocks and last ditch challenges and when shots got through, goalkeeper Mackenzie Drew did all that he had to do.

The game set its course from the early stages and in the eighth minute, a fine run from Firman set up a series of shots from Ruben Etherington and Cameron Honavar that were saved before Waring fired over.

Waring and Hollamby brought saves from Drew before Matt Larkin was stretched for the first time, holding on to a low shot from outside of area.

On 25 minutes K Sports took the lead with a goal of straightforward simplicity that will disappoint everybody. A corner was won from the right and from it, Jamie Thain was allowed to move unchallenged to the near post to score with the easiest of headers.

Tonbridge had several chances for parity before the break, the best of which saw Drew save from Hollamby and a shot from Waring that was deflected for a corner.

The situation at the break might have been worse for the Angels had it not been for a magnificent save from Larkin, clawing out of the top corner a shot from Noah Giles.

The first period had not been entirely one-way traffic, the second half most certainly was.

A catalogue of chances that passed the Angels by, whether that be by profligacy or by resolute defending and when Hollamby struck a post with a 20 yard shot, one began to despair that this would be one of those nights.

But, eventually, the K’s stoicism was broken when a through ball from Waring sent substitute Rockie Burke clear to finish past the advancing goalkeeper.

An all-out assault in the final 10 minutes to secure all the points saw Drew save from Honavar (twice) and Etherington, whilst a effort from Firman cleared the bar.

Dom Welsh recognised the wholehearted effort of the K Sports defence but was as frustrated as the watching supporters at the outcome.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Taunton Town 3

Match 82/22/2089 - Saturday, 4th March 2023 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Greenidge 21 Aransibia 41
Taunton Town (1) 3 Foulston 37 Stearn (pen) 64 Wannell 68
Attendance: 933

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,765

Let’s start with a few appropriate phrases:
Counting chickens;
Putting the cart before the horse; and
Getting in front of oneself.
Who might be guilty of all three, me and I really should know better.

After two hard-earned victories on the road had pushed the Angels into striking distance of a play-off place, the visit of Taunton Town, struggling at the wrong end of the table and in poor form appeared the perfect opportunity to leap into the shaded area in the table.

At half-time, 2-1 to the good and with results elsewhere, we had indeed made that jump, but we have form with teams from the lower reaches of the table, especially at home and two goals in four minutes turned the game on its head and sent home, all bar the clutch of supporters from Somerset, disappointed.

Jay Saunders opted to go with two big strikers, coupling Tommy Wood with Jordan Greenidge with Joe Turner dropping to the bench.

The opening 20 minutes, saw the Angels carve out a couple of chances without any great pressure on their own goal, although Taunton were playing some neat and tidy football. Devonte Aransibia had a sixth minute effort that cleared the bar by some distance and Greenidge and Wood had shots that were comfortable saves for Lloyd Irish, but, on 21 minutes, the Angels went ahead through leading goalscorer Greenidge who rode a couple of challenges before firing in an angled shot past Irish.

Taunton responded and were good value for their equaliser when the ball fell to left back, Jay Foulston who arrowed a shot into the far corner from 20 yards giving Jonny Henly no chance.

An equally spectacular strike from Aransibia on 41 minutes from the edge of the area restored the Angels lead and they should have gone into the break with a little breathing space as Wood fired over after a good combination with Greenidge.

As we know from the reverse fixture, it is a long way to Taunton and the visitors made it clear from the outset of the second period that they wanted something to ease the journey home.

The streetwise Ross Stearn went close on 50 minutes and further efforts from Jake Wannell and Ollie Chamberlain sounded alarm bells for the Angels and, it has to be said, Taunton were deserving of their equaliser on 62 minutes when Stearn converted from the penalty spot after Zak Smith had been brought down.

Four minutes later, the Angels support was in shock as Taunton went in front through Wannell after Tonbridge had failed to clear from a corner.

Worrying injuries to Greenidge and Aransibia saw them out of the game as Tonbridge huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser. The referee denied what looked a clear cut penalty appeal with 10 minutes remaining but the Angels never looked like breaking down a resolute Taunton defence.

As it happened, results elsewhere limited the damage, but for me, lesson learned. One game at a time with no chickens counted.

Photos: Kathryn Bell

Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 81/22/2088 - Tuesday, 28th February 2023 - National South

Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Aransibia 74
Attendance: 338

Admission: Pass
Programme: Not purchased
Mileage: 124/5,727

I wonder, I just wonder! Every season, whether it's ending in a promotion or relegation situation or perhaps, the later stages of a cup competition, has a moment that is remembered as significant. Who can ever forget 5th January 2019, two goals down at home to Brightlingsea Regent with just a quarter of an hour remaining and goals from Tommy Parkinson and Alex Read salvaged a point and, from that moment, the tide turned for Steve McKimm and the rest is history.

It was the 90th minute, with Tonbridge Angels leading by a single goal, that referee Aaron Farmer (not the most popular official with Angels supporters) pointed to the penalty spot for a second time. Adrian Clifton stepped up, drove his shot straight down the middle but the trailing legs of Jonny Henly was enough to divert the ball to safety to save from the spot for a second time in the game.

Was it the moment? It was certainly enough for me to start to dream of that cold Tuesday night in Gateshead in the National League, suddenly it became to feel real, a little scary but real.

It’s been a long week on the road, the best part of 600 miles travelled; three games of not great quality that has taken us from despair at Chelmsford, via Bath, to belief at Hampton.

A midweek, rush hour trip around the M25 to the well-heeled corner of south-west London is not to be relished but, apart from a stop-start last six miles and the annual double circumnavigation of the Scilly Isles roundabout, arrival at the leafy Beveree was made in reasonable time.

The pitch, waterlogged to postponement last season, frozen to postponement on 21st January of this one, looked difficult and proved to be, as any hopes of a game of meaningful quality were never raised.

Henly returned to the starting XI following his absence at Bath along with Tommie Fagg who replaced Lewis Gard.

The best that can be said of the first half-hour was that there was only 15 minutes to walk to the other end where the bitter wind was not in our faces. Joe Turner had a first minute run that ended with a comfortable save for Alan Julian and, on 13 minutes, a Fagg effort from range had a similar outcome.

After a solid start from the Angels, the home side started to impose themselves and this culminated, six minutes from the break, when they were awarded a penalty after a foul by Fagg. Hampton’s record from the spot is horrendous, anything from six to 12 misses depending on who you talked to! On this occasion, Dan Wishart stepped up, his run up was straight and the ball barely deviated which allowed Henly a relatively comfortable save.

The second half started much as the first had ended with Hampton having the best of the possession without really troubling the Angels back line that dealt admirably with an aerial assault of crosses into the box.

On 66 minutes, Tommy Wood, recently of the Borough, was introduced for Jordan Greenidge and had an assist in the opening goal on 74 minutes. A free kick from Turner was lofted into the box, Wood headed down for Devonte Aransibia to drive a shot from the edge of the six yard box past a helpless Julian.

The aerial assault continued making for an uncomfortable last 15 minutes for the 60 or so Angels supporters behind the far goal but their hopes were seemingly dashed as Fagg made an innocuous challenge, but the jeers turned to cheers with Henly’s trailing leg and, despite yet another penalty call, the final whistle brought celebrations with Henly’s customary forward roll in front of the fans.

There’s a long, long way to go but there is a sense of belief that something special is fermenting nicely and, in May, supporters might well recall the 90th minute at the Beveree.