Cray Wanderers 0 Tonbridge Angels1

Match 31/24/2270 - Saturday, 12th October 2024 - FA Cup Fourth Quaifying Round

Cray Wanderers (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Fielding 64
Attendance: 1,222
Admission: £6
Mileage: 85/1,486
New Ground: 386

The scenes at Flamingo Park at the final whistle were reminiscent of the Play-off win of 2019 when supporters celebrated on the Imber Court pitch with their heroes of the day; this time roles were reversed as player after player leapt the perimeter fence to join in with the supporters wild celebrations.

Four years ago, in the midst of the pandemic, Tonbridge Angels disposed comfortably of Taunton Town to make the FA Cup First Round Proper, to many, denied the right of admission, it didn’t count and then the records need to be trawled back to 1972 for the last appearance. Realistically, if you are less than 60 years of age, you’ve waited for this moment all of your life!

This certainly was not a game for the purist. It was a horribly scrappy game that on another occasion would not last five minutes in the memory, but this wasn’t just another game but one with one objective as Jay Saunders commented: “It was a proper FA Cup game, credit to Cray, they took it right to the end. I don’t think we were at our best, but at this point it is about getting through and we’ve managed to do that. I’m delighted to be through, you’ve seen the scenes at the end with the supporters and I’m delighted for everyone associated with the club.”

An afternoon, punctuated with showers, some heavy with no cover for those not seated, saw Saunders make two changes from the side beaten at Slough. Jamie Fielding returning from his enforced concussion protocol in place of the suspended Crossley Lema and Jeremy Santos in for the injured Scott Wagstaff.

Whilst the Angels commanded the better of the possession and created the two real chances of the first half, neither team could lay claim to have control of the match.

Fifteen minutes of sparring with neither goalkeeper being troubled was brought to an end with a Ryan Hanson shot that was deflected for a corner that resulted in Hanson heading wide at the far post.

On the half-hour came the best chance of the half when a cross from Liam Vincent was initially spilt by the Cray Wanderers goalkeeper, Shaun Rowley, who recovered brilliantly to save at the feet of Mo Dabre.

The hosts best chance of the half came on 35 minutes when a cross from Lateef Adaja to Nyren Clunis saw Fielding clear to safety.

The opening of the second period saw a cross-cum-shot from Ronny Nelson strike the crossbar before the game being brought to a halt for the best part of 10 minutes while an assistant referee needed to be treated and then replaced after suffering a hamstring strain. Oh, how those 10 minutes led to a stressed Angels contingent about half-an-hour later!

With 64 minutes on the clock, Tonbridge found the all-important goal. An expected long throw from Vincent was instead played short to Fielding on the left side of the box who hooked it on towards Sean Shields, followed by a header from Ronny Nelson that found Fielding back at the right side of the box to turn the ball home.

Tonbridge were now largely controlling the game and substitute Trevan Robinson brought a good save out of Rowley as he retrieved the ball from the byline to cut in and test the Cray stopper at his near post.

On 81 minutes Hanson produced a tackle that was worth as good as a goal as Adaja was about to shoot having broken into the box.

With the board showing 10 added minutes, Cray had little choice to throw all they had left at the Angels and fingernails were being bitten to the quick as in the first of these, Toby Steward brilliantly turned over the bar an effort from Anthony Cook.

The clock had ticked past the 10 minute mark as Tom Bonner’s header from a corner was cleared from in front of the line by Naz Bakrin.

There was still time for Shields to break clear only to be denied by Rowley and when one final corner ended with a Cray shot disappearing into the south London sky, the Angels fans could start the celebrations and this they did as the weary players stayed out on the pitch for half-an-hour to celebrate with them.

Slough Town 3 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 30/24/2269 - Saturday, 5th October 2024 - National League South

Slough Town (1) 3 Bayliss 44,68 Evans 90+5
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Vincent 67
Attendance: 1,202
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 161/1,401

Somewhere, sometime, the unbeaten start to the season had to end and so it was that the Angels’ run of 11 games foundered at Slough Town’s Arbour Park.

Two set piece goals and a added time third that gave the gave the scoreline a flattering look for the robust home side undid Tonbridge Angels.

Manager Jay Saunders was disappointed with the manner of the defeat with regards to the set piece goals conceded. “The two set pieces were disappointing. I don’t think we did enough to win the game, there wasn’t bundles in the game but they took their opportunities when they got them … we’ve got to do better with the two free kicks and deal with them.”

.Warm autumn sunshine greeted the Angels faithful in Berkshire and they would have been disappointed to hear the team news that both Ethan Sutcliffe and Jason Adigun had suffered training ground injuries back at their parent clubs, although the latter was able to take a place on the bench. Additional changes saw Noel Leighton gain his first National League South start and Tariq Hinds returning to the starting XI. The first half looked to be meandering its way to a goalless conclusion when a corner hoisted to the far post found the towering head of Dan Bayliss to put the Rebels in front as the clock ticked into added time.

Chances for both sides had been at a premium in a dour first half. Tonbridge carved out a good chance on seven minutes when Sean Shields and Liam Vincent linked well before the wing back delivered a cross towards Hinds, who could not get enough purchase on his header to unduly trouble the Slough goalkeeper, Charlie Horlock.

A minute later, Bayliss gave a foretaste of what was to come when he won a header in the box that needed to be cleared from in front of his line by Scott Wagstaff.

Slough’s style was big crosses into the box and from another of these, John Gilbert’s header cleared the bar.

On 25 minutes, a teasing Shields cross evaded Leighton and just past the half-hour Horlock saved low to his left from the Tonbridge striker and with the Angels enjoying a period of dominance, Ryan Hanson was denied by the feet of home custodian.

The closing minute of the half, saw skipper Wagstaff needing to be substituted after making a challenge and from the resultant corner Bayliss put the home side in front at the break.

Slough opened the half with a couple of chances that saw Toby Steward save from Francis Amartey before a controversial incident on the edge of the box might well have seen the Slough player-manager Scott Davies red carded as Leighton was about to go clear before being unceremoniously dumped to the floor. Davies received a yellow card but some kind of justice was served as Vincent powered the free kick low through the wall to give the Angels an equaliser.

Parity was to last barely a minute as the Angels found themselves vulnerable again to the high cross into the box that found its way to Bayliss to volley into the net.

The five minutes of added time rather summed up the Angels afternoon. The second of which saw a clear handball in the Slough penalty area but the referee waved away the appeals and a minute later Crossley Lema was shown a red card after reacting to a foul from Gilbert. Slough then added a third with virtually the last kick of the match after Sam Evans had robbed Ronnie Nelson of possession.

Jay added: “We’ve been on a good run, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to pick ourselves up and prepare for next week.”




Gillingham 0 Grimsby Town 1

Match 29/24/2268 - Tuesday, 1st October 2024 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Grimsby Town (1) 1 Green 21
Attendance: 5,652
Admission: £20
Mileage: 38/1,239

I don't particularly consider myself as a jinx, but it is particularly disappointing that my first visit to Gillingham this season brought their first home defeat after an unblemished five game start to the season.

Former chairman Scally has, as good as, left the building and visits now are, undoubtledly, a lot more comfortable. Sitting back in the seat that I held as a season ticket, many of the faces are the same, many of the voices are the same, the loudest of which continue, as they have done for years, to harangue offcials whilst seemingly failed to identify their own team's shortcomings.

Such as it was against a Grimsby side that scored with their only shot on target but defended resolutely whilst the Gills lacked the nous to break them down.

One really worked counter attack that ended with a superb ball from Denver Hume finding Kieran Green (best player on the pitch) to fire in from the edge of the box.

The Gills made very little of their 65% possession, with only a low cross from Jayden Clarke that just evaded Elliott Nevitt really threatening the visitor's goal.

A surprise hammering for Walsall, who lost a 2-1 half-time lead to lose 6-2 at home, kept Gillingham at the top of the table, so not quite all was lost on the evening.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Walton and Hersham 1

Match 28/24/2267 - Saturday, 28th September 2024 - FA Cup 3QR

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Vincent 49 (pen) Leighton 69
Walton & Hersham (1) 1 Owusu 36 (pen)
Attendance: 1,068
Admission: £14
Mileage: 38/1,201

Tonbridge Angels are through to the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round for the first time in four years and this time our supporters will be allowed through the turnstiles wherever Monday’s draw takes us.

After a first half that saw the Angels fall behind, manager Jay Saunders made an inspired half-time substitution introducing Noel Leighton, who then had a significant say in both the Angels goals including his 69th minute winner.

Jay said of Leighton's impact: “We’ve got to be careful with Noel and not overdo it with him. I know what Noel is about having worked with him before and when he came on he’s had an impact in both goals. I’m really pleased for him, he’s worked hard with the medical team to get fit. If he’s right we will build him up, what I’ve got to make sure, you have to remember he has missed the whole of pre-season, is that we don’t throw 90 minutes on him after 90 minutes and it effects him. Today we made the change at half-time, he uses his body well, is a physical presence and if he gets a chance, he will score goals.”

Bright September sunshine greeted FA Cup day and Saunders would have been delighted (and relieved) to have a returning Ethan Sutcliffe to name in his starting XI with both Jamie Fielding and Joe Tyrie missing following training ground knocks. Jeremy Santos was restored as a starter and there was a welcome return to the bench for Ryan Hanson.

Walton and Hersham, from Step Three’s Southern League Premier South, where at the start of play they sat third in the table, provided stiff opposition as Jay reflected in his post-match interview: “It’s always a difficult game when you play lower league opposition and I think Walton are a good side but in general it’s a good win for us.”

The Angels were quickly out of the blocks and in the opening 15 minutes any one of three crosses into the box could have brought an opening goal with Liam Vincent twice giving opportunities for Trevan Robinson, whose effort was smothered by goalkeeper, Jos Barker and Jason Adigun who got the ball stuck under his feet as he tried to create a yard of space for his shot.

Having negotiated the opening quarter hour, Walton & Hersham found a foothold in the game with ex-Angel Johl Powell pulling their strings in midfield, Tom Olyott shot wide and Powell brought a first save of the match out of Toby Steward.

By the time the visitors took a 36th minute lead from the penalty spot, arguably the visitors were deserving of their advantage. A through ball from Lucas Defise sent Powell into the box from where took a tumble under a light challenge from Vincent, who was booked for his protestations. Nana Owusu stepped up to fire his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Adigun and Naz Bakrin had efforts comfortably saved by Barker as the visitors went into the break a goal to the good.

Leighton’s introduction brought an instant dividend at the start of the second half. His persistence won a left sided corner that was punched away by the goalkeeper to Adigun who drove a powerful shot towards the goal that struck Defise on the arm as he turned his back on the ball leaving referee Dunn to point to the spot a second time. A composed Vincent sent Barker the wrong way from the spot.

Tonbridge were dominating the half, a 25 yard effort from Scott Wagstaff was dealt with by the impressive Barker before they went ahead on 69 minutes with a well worked goal saw Jeremy Santos stride forward to release Vincent down the left and his cross was collected by Leighton, six yards out, to steer into the bottom corner.

Whilst the Angels were largely in control, they suffered a major scare on 74 minutes when substitute Dan Rowe struck the crossbar and a very late penalty appeal caused a little heart flutter around the ground.

Tonbridge enter the final qualifying round draw for the first time in four years, that is live on TalkSPORT on Monday at 3pm, but Walton and Hersham made them work hard for their place in the hat.

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Lewes U18 0

Match 27/24/2266 - Monday, 23rd September 2024 - Isthmian Youth League Cup 2R

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Penman 35,72 Larkin 69 (pen)
Lewes U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 50
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,163

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s eased their way into the third round of the Isthmian Youth League Cup with a scoreline that was perhaps a little less comfortable than it suggests.

In a second half, six minute spell, the Angels scored twice and missed a penalty to put the game beyond a spirited Lewes side.

Dom Welsh was forced the make changes with four players unavailable and their replacements gave performances that highlighted the depth of the squad with 16 year-old Robert Penman scoring twice and being brought down for a penalty.

The opening moments saw the visitors start brightly and bring a good save out of Josh Hanson after five minutes and it would be fair to say that Lewes enjoyed more than their fair share of the first half as Welsh commented: “We were sloppy in the first half.”

After a slow start, the Angels worked their way into the game with Jack Gallagher heading over from a corner; Penman testing the goalkeeper after being set up by Fiachra Pritchard and Adam Larkin being denied by the alertness of the keeper after a defensive mix-up.

But the pressure did lead to the opening goal on 35 minutes when a great pass from Noah Millis found Penman on the left hand corner of the penalty area from where he curled an exquisite shot into the top corner.

The second half opened with good chances for both sides with Lewes being particularly wasteful as shots found the side netting; clearing the bar and a fine save from Hanson keeping the Angels in front.

On 68 minutes the lead was doubled when Larkin sent Penman clear into the box to round the goalkeeper before being brought down. Larkin powered his spot kick into the roof of the net giving the goalkeeper little chance.

Three minutes later the tie was as good as made safe when a surging run from Nayan Grant ended with a pass to Penman who produced a really good finish to add a third.

On 75 minutes, the Angels were handed another penalty after Larkin had been bundled over. This time his penalty technique let him down as his shot cleared the crossbar by some distance.

All due respect to Lewes, their heads didn’t drop and Hanson was asked to make a couple of decent saves as they sought at least a consolation goal.

Penman was denied a hat-trick with four minutes remaining when he robbed a defender of the ball 25 yards from goal and attempted a first time lob that sailed just over the bar and in time added, Grant had a brilliant run to the bye-line before pulling the ball back for Larkin whose close range effort was well saved.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was a good win, strong second half after a sloppy first, especially given that the missing players have been regular starters.”

Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2

Match 26/24/2265 - Saturday, 21st September 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Adigun 15 Vincent (pen) 90+4
Hampton & Richmond Borough (1) 2 Roberts 24 Vilhete 56
Attendance: 976
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,125

It was The Late, Late Show at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium as a 94th minute penalty, won and converted by Liam Vincent, salvaged a point from a game that for large parts they were second best.

Manager Jay Saunders gave an honest assessment: “We weren’t at our best today. Credit to Hampton, they were a good side and for large parts, they were the better side. I’ll always be honest and say it how it is and in the end it’s a good point considering we have dropped off from where our performances levels have been recently. But we showed good character and I’m pleased we came away with a point.”

On a warm, humid afternoon, Jay was able to recall captain Scott Wagstaff, select new signing Jason Adigun and replacing Jamie Fielding (who took a training ground knock), Joe Tyrie returned to the starting XI.

A scrappy opening to the game was brought to an end on 15 minutes with a quality goal from Adigun who made a late run into the box to sweep home a cross from Vincent to the far post.

The Angels lead was to last 10 minutes when a cross from the left from Alfie Williams was met with a volley from James Roberts that was driven into the ground with the bounce looping over a helpless Toby Steward.

It was the encouragement that the visitors took into the rest of the half, quickly having a strong penalty appeal waved away; Josh Keeya hit the side netting when well placed and it took a superb challenge from Nazir Bakrin to deny Bunmi Babajide.

At the other end, a Vincent cross was headed over by Trevan Robinson.

After another scrappy opening to the second half with both sides giving the ball away at will, Hampton’s Mauro Vilhete produced a bit of magic with a 25 yarder that Steward got his hands too but could only help it on its way into the top corner.

Sean Shields set up Adigun for a shooting opportunity that was well saved low by Ted Curd and the Angels manager rang the changes to add some attacking impetus to his side including a welcome first appearance for Noel Leighton, who offered a lively introduction.

On 70 minutes, Leighton set up Shields with a shot that was saved and although Tonbridge were pressing hard, the visiting goalkeeper was not being unduly tested.

Six minutes of added time offered a lifeline and four of these had expired when a cross from Shields on the right saw Vincent go down under a challenge from Dominic Revan for referee Hathaway to point to the spot. Vincent collected himself to calmly send Curd the wrong way to rescue a point and maintain the Angels unbeaten start to the season.

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Hastings United U18 2

Match 25/24/2264 - Monday, 16th September 2024 - FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 1 Richardson 9
Hastings United U18 (2) 2 Mavali 25,31 (pen)
Attendance: 96
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,087

The Under-18’s endured a frustrating evening that led to their exit from the FA Youth Cup at the hands of a resolute Hastings United.

Frustrating was certainly the watchword as Dominic Welsh explained after the game: “Frustrating, that’s probably the key word. I felt for the majority of the game, we were in good control bar the 10 minutes we concede two goals. We started the game well, got ourselves 1-0 up, controlled the game. But I think their first goal stopped a bit of momentum and then after that we lacked a little bit of control in the game, that was the key for us. Second half we did really well, just couldn’t find the back of the net, just frustrating really.”

The FA Youth Cup is an Under-18’s competition but Academy first year scholars, goalkeeper Andrew Norburn, William Brett, Mackenzie Richardson and Ollie Thomson were drafted into the squad with Academy manager Tom Parkinson taking his place alongside Dom in the dug-out.

As always, the FA Youth Cup brings out a few extra on the gate including a healthy contingent up from the East Sussex coast.

Early momentum was with the Angels with a early free kick from Richardson that was comfortably save and although Hastings went close with an effort from Arsham Mavali, the Angels were well worth their lead taken in the ninth minute. Richardson started and finished the move, that saw his initial pass to Nayan Grant open up space for a cross from Fiachra Pritchard to Richardson whose powerful header went in off the underside of the bar.

The Angels had chances to double their advantage through Callum Fincham whose shot was saved by Harry Howes and an even better save to deny Richardson.

So it was somewhat against the run of play when Hastings fashioned an equaliser on 25 minutes. A long ball out of defence sent Tyrone Miotshwa clear down the left to pull the ball back for Mavali to score from around the penalty spot.

Hastings turned the game on its ahead seven minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Noah Millis was adjudged to have pulled back Archie Baker inches inside the right hand corner of the 18 yard box. Mavali scored from the spot sending Norburn the wrong way.

Tonbridge made the vast majority of the running in the second half but came up against a side that defended deep, defended resolutely and denied the Angels a way through.

On 55 minutes, Thomson was through on goal but delayed his shot before being challenged and finally shooting wide and on 73 minutes, Alfie Gilder struck the outside of the post after good approach work from Jack Gallagher and Pritchard.

Pritchard brought the final save of the game from Howe at his near post as the visitors saw out a substantial amount of added time, not with ease but a steadfast determination.

Dom Welsh summed up: “Sometimes you come away from these games disappointed and feeling like you’ve not done enough but we feel like the only thing missing in that half is a little toe into the corner, coming off someone’s knee to go in or something like that, it didn’t fall tonight. Again, on another night, Alfie’s shot hits the other side of the post and ends up in the net.”