Match 1/25/2344 - Saturday, 5th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Margate (1) 2 Derry 27 Atkins 75
Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Trialist12 51 Trialist14 66 Richardson 78
Est. Attendance: 500
Admission: £3
Mileage: 110/110
Craig Nelson’s tenure as Tonbridge Angels’ manager got off to a winning start at Margate with an exciting second half performance that brought three goals as a right-sided trialist caught the eye with a stunning strike and an assist as the visitors rallied from a 1-0 half-time deficit courtesy of a goal from ex-Angels 2019 play-off hero Tom Derry.
Nelson reflected on the performance: “We controlled the game in both halves really well. In the first half, a little bit too slow but the boys are learning something new; they don’t know each other too well either, so they are learning about each other whilst playing a game of football which is not the easiest thing to do. In the second half the guys did really well, they upped the tempo and there were some great finishes, all three goals were well worked and seeing the boys gel with some of the signed players was good.”
On a warm, but thankfully cooler than of late, afternoon, a decent attendance with a healthy following from Tonbridge watched on as Pete Doherty of the Libertines set the game in motion, in his hat and to be almost immediately substituted.
First chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts after nine minutes when a ball into the box from Harrison Hatfull found the head of Sam Blackman, whose effort rebounded from the crossbar.
Tonbridge responded well and, after 15 minutes, they too hit the crossbar with a shot from Nazir Bakrin. This was quickly followed by a good save from Tom Wray as a shot from 20 yards from Jordan Higgs was goal bound.
The Angels fell behind on 27 minutes when a quickly taken free kick sent Derry clear to slot past the advancing Jacob Adams. The Tonbridge goalkeeper was brought into action once more within a couple of minutes denying Derry a second goal.
Another Higgs effort from distance was saved and Bunmi Babajide also tested Wray as the Angels ended the half strongly.
The second half brought a complete change in the Angels line-up and brought to the fore trialist number 12 who made an instant impression that was further enhanced with a stunning strike on 51 minutes into the top corner after he had jinked his way from the right touchline into the box.
The visitors hit the front after 66 minutes when good work down the right from Matty Warren saw the ball met inside the six yard box by trialist number 14 whose crisp half-volley finish gave Wray no chance.
Tonbridge were in full flow as Warren fired over and the trialist 14 forced Wray into a good save and it came as a surprise when, after 75 minutes, a long cross from the left found its way to Louie Atkins who scored at the far post.
The home side’s joy was short-lived as, three minutes later, a drive down the right from trialist 14 followed by a low cross into the box that was finished neatly by Academy player Mackenzie Richardson.
Richardson saw a header turned over the bar and Wray saved well from trialist 17 as the Angels saw out the game well on top.
Nelson added: “We were pleased, all in all, things need to be tweaked, which is absolutely fine, that’s what pre-season is for, but it’s good to get minutes into the legs and also to win the game.”
Sunday, 6 July 2025
Saturday, 24 May 2025
Parky's XI 6 Ex-Angels XI 4
Match 105/24/2343 - Saturday, 24th May 2025 - Tom Parkinson Testimonial
Parky's XI (2) 6
Ex-Angels XI (1) 4
Est. Attendance: 200
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/6,991
Parky's XI (2) 6
Ex-Angels XI (1) 4
Est. Attendance: 200
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/6,991
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Chelsea Women 3 Manchester United Women 0
Match 104/24/2342 - Sunday, 18th May 2025 - Women's FA Cup Final
Chelsea (1) 3 Baltimore 45 (pen), 90+1 Macario 84
Manchester United (0) 0
Attendance: 74,412
Admission: £35
Mileage: 100/6,953
My first live viewing of women's football at the highest level was a mostly good experience.
A lovely family atmosphere, Wembley without the drunks, without the hassle, but also without an opposition.
Chelsea are the best team in the country, evidently set to become the best team in the world, so the result wasn't entirely unexpected, but as a Manchester United supporter, it would have been good had they turned up.
Chelsea were good, Erin Cuthbert was superb, a pleasure to watch but, walking away, whilst I didn't exactly feel short-changed, I had the thoughts in my head that their dominance isn't good for women's football in this country and with paper-talk suggesting that Jim Ratcliffe might be in the process of drastically reducing the budget of Manchester United's women's section, it leaves you to wonder if the Women's Super League might be a one horse race for years to come.
Sonia Bompastor's first year in charge ended with Chelsea unbeaten courtesy of two goals from Sandy Baltimore and a header from Catarina Macario as United were swept aside after making a reasonably good start to the game, creating the opening chance with Dominique Janssen lifting her shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Next season I really must get to a WSL game, but to preserve my faith in the competitive nature of the game, I think I'll give Chelsea a miss.
Chelsea (1) 3 Baltimore 45 (pen), 90+1 Macario 84
Manchester United (0) 0
Attendance: 74,412
Admission: £35
Mileage: 100/6,953
My first live viewing of women's football at the highest level was a mostly good experience.
A lovely family atmosphere, Wembley without the drunks, without the hassle, but also without an opposition.
Chelsea are the best team in the country, evidently set to become the best team in the world, so the result wasn't entirely unexpected, but as a Manchester United supporter, it would have been good had they turned up.
Chelsea were good, Erin Cuthbert was superb, a pleasure to watch but, walking away, whilst I didn't exactly feel short-changed, I had the thoughts in my head that their dominance isn't good for women's football in this country and with paper-talk suggesting that Jim Ratcliffe might be in the process of drastically reducing the budget of Manchester United's women's section, it leaves you to wonder if the Women's Super League might be a one horse race for years to come.
Sonia Bompastor's first year in charge ended with Chelsea unbeaten courtesy of two goals from Sandy Baltimore and a header from Catarina Macario as United were swept aside after making a reasonably good start to the game, creating the opening chance with Dominique Janssen lifting her shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Next season I really must get to a WSL game, but to preserve my faith in the competitive nature of the game, I think I'll give Chelsea a miss.
Monday, 12 May 2025
Aldershot Town 3 Spennymoor Town 0
Match 103/24/2341 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Trophy Final
Aldershot Town (0) 3 Barham 48 Ellison 71 Barrett 87
Spennymoor Town (0) 0
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853
Report from Non-League Chronicles
After the Vase Final, the time came for the FA Trophy Final and what a story in prospect.
With Spennymoor Town having finished ninth in the Vanarama National League North and step 2, the Trophy has acted as a real opportunity for them to put their name in lights. Indeed they had beaten higher opposition from the National League in the shape of Sutton United and Boston United as part of their Trophy run as well as Rochdale in the semi final with a thrilling last gasp equaliser before winning on penalties.
Could they do it again and cause an upset by beating National League Aldershot Town at Wembley? Aldershot, who finished the campaign in 16th in the National League, would have been considered the favourites but the Trophy has had its share of non National League clubs winning the tournament in recent years, such as Hornchurch and Brackley Town, so could Spennymoor add their name to that list?
Well they certainly should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finley Shrimpton broke free down the right and laid the ball back to Rob Ramshaw whose effort to the bottom left corner was tame and straight into the arms of Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.
Aldershot’s two main chances of the first half came via Josh Barrett - firstly trying to bend a shot into the bottom right with his shot well saved wide by Spennymoor goalkeeper Brad James for a corner before James caught an angled shot towards the top left corner.
The game needed a bit of a spark and got it when Aldershot took the lead in the 48th minute when a ball from the right by James Henry was slotted into the bottom right by Jack Barham.
After huffing and puffing from both sides Aldershot doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Dan Ellison headed home a corner from the left.
Aldershot sealed the trophy in some style three minutes from time when Josh Barrett could not have caught his volley any sweeter as the ball flew into the top right corner in an outstanding finish.
Aldershot Town (0) 3 Barham 48 Ellison 71 Barrett 87
Spennymoor Town (0) 0
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853
Report from Non-League Chronicles
After the Vase Final, the time came for the FA Trophy Final and what a story in prospect.
With Spennymoor Town having finished ninth in the Vanarama National League North and step 2, the Trophy has acted as a real opportunity for them to put their name in lights. Indeed they had beaten higher opposition from the National League in the shape of Sutton United and Boston United as part of their Trophy run as well as Rochdale in the semi final with a thrilling last gasp equaliser before winning on penalties.
Could they do it again and cause an upset by beating National League Aldershot Town at Wembley? Aldershot, who finished the campaign in 16th in the National League, would have been considered the favourites but the Trophy has had its share of non National League clubs winning the tournament in recent years, such as Hornchurch and Brackley Town, so could Spennymoor add their name to that list?
Well they certainly should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finley Shrimpton broke free down the right and laid the ball back to Rob Ramshaw whose effort to the bottom left corner was tame and straight into the arms of Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.
Aldershot’s two main chances of the first half came via Josh Barrett - firstly trying to bend a shot into the bottom right with his shot well saved wide by Spennymoor goalkeeper Brad James for a corner before James caught an angled shot towards the top left corner.
The game needed a bit of a spark and got it when Aldershot took the lead in the 48th minute when a ball from the right by James Henry was slotted into the bottom right by Jack Barham.
After huffing and puffing from both sides Aldershot doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Dan Ellison headed home a corner from the left.
Aldershot sealed the trophy in some style three minutes from time when Josh Barrett could not have caught his volley any sweeter as the ball flew into the top right corner in an outstanding finish.
AFC Whyteleafe 1 Whitstable Town 2
Match 102/24/2340 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Vase Final
AFC Whyteleafe (1) 1 Bennett 17
Whitstable Town (0) 2 Smith 52 Sithole 100
After Extra Time
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853
Report from Non-League Chronicles
The first game of Non-League Finals Day pitted AFC Whyteleafe against Whitstable Town in the FA Vase Final.
Whitstable were looking for silverware having missed out in the league (Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division) and playoffs as well as the Kent Senior Trophy Final.
As for AFC Whyteleafe, who knows where they finished last season?! The absolute shambles that is the Combined Counties League still have not decided on who has and has not been guilty of fielding ineligible players in the Premier Division South meaning the playoffs are still on hold and have been for some time! Surely the playoffs cannot take place in June either given the insurance on player injuries as well as potential holidays booked for players and coaches alike so a pre-season playoff tournament anyone?!
A famous resident of Whitstable is Madness frontman Suggs and Whyteleafe’s Daniel Bennett found himself one step beyond Whitstable’s backline, finishing a lovely team move in the 17th minute when he dinked the ball over the diving Whitstable goalkeeper Daniel Colmer and into the bottom right.
The only other real significant chance of the first half saw Whyteleafe’s Aaron Watson have a dig that was well saved wide by Daniel Colmer.
It only took Whitstable seven minutes of the second half to equalise when Harvey Smith came up with a finish into the bottom left corner to set up a house of fun for the remainder of the game.
Whyteleafe then had a big chance to re-take the lead when both Aaron Watson and then Ryan Gondoh were denied by good Daniel Colmer saves before both sides had efforts off target - Ronald Sithole for Whitstable and Daniel Bennett for Whyteleafe.
Whyteleafe could have won the game at the death - Rodney Eruotor curling an effort off the bar before having the rebound saved by the feet of Colmer and how Whyteleafe would rue that eventually
If truth be told Whitstable dominated the chances in extra time - Ronald Sithole and Harvey Smith denied with saves from Whyteleafe goalkeeper George Hill before Sithole somehow missed a chance by hitting the left post with the goal gaping.
Sithole however made amends. After he had an initial effort saved, he kept his composure before tucking a shot into the top right corner to kill the game like Peter Cushing as Dracula out for the count - a former resident of Whitstable.
So it was a case of “Wembley’s a Sithole - I want to go home” for Whitstable - and so they did - with the trophy and a million memories.
AFC Whyteleafe (1) 1 Bennett 17
Whitstable Town (0) 2 Smith 52 Sithole 100
After Extra Time
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853
Report from Non-League Chronicles
The first game of Non-League Finals Day pitted AFC Whyteleafe against Whitstable Town in the FA Vase Final.
Whitstable were looking for silverware having missed out in the league (Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division) and playoffs as well as the Kent Senior Trophy Final.
As for AFC Whyteleafe, who knows where they finished last season?! The absolute shambles that is the Combined Counties League still have not decided on who has and has not been guilty of fielding ineligible players in the Premier Division South meaning the playoffs are still on hold and have been for some time! Surely the playoffs cannot take place in June either given the insurance on player injuries as well as potential holidays booked for players and coaches alike so a pre-season playoff tournament anyone?!
A famous resident of Whitstable is Madness frontman Suggs and Whyteleafe’s Daniel Bennett found himself one step beyond Whitstable’s backline, finishing a lovely team move in the 17th minute when he dinked the ball over the diving Whitstable goalkeeper Daniel Colmer and into the bottom right.
The only other real significant chance of the first half saw Whyteleafe’s Aaron Watson have a dig that was well saved wide by Daniel Colmer.
It only took Whitstable seven minutes of the second half to equalise when Harvey Smith came up with a finish into the bottom left corner to set up a house of fun for the remainder of the game.
Whyteleafe then had a big chance to re-take the lead when both Aaron Watson and then Ryan Gondoh were denied by good Daniel Colmer saves before both sides had efforts off target - Ronald Sithole for Whitstable and Daniel Bennett for Whyteleafe.
Whyteleafe could have won the game at the death - Rodney Eruotor curling an effort off the bar before having the rebound saved by the feet of Colmer and how Whyteleafe would rue that eventually
If truth be told Whitstable dominated the chances in extra time - Ronald Sithole and Harvey Smith denied with saves from Whyteleafe goalkeeper George Hill before Sithole somehow missed a chance by hitting the left post with the goal gaping.
Sithole however made amends. After he had an initial effort saved, he kept his composure before tucking a shot into the top right corner to kill the game like Peter Cushing as Dracula out for the count - a former resident of Whitstable.
So it was a case of “Wembley’s a Sithole - I want to go home” for Whitstable - and so they did - with the trophy and a million memories.
Friday, 9 May 2025
Parkwood Rangers Women 0 Tonbridge Angels Women 5
Match 101/24/2339 - Thursday, 8th May 2025 - SECWFL League Cup Final
Parkwood Rangers Women (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Women (2) 5 Churchill 33 Herbert-Smith 43 Driscoll 54 Cresswell 74 Cooper 81
Attendance: 200
Admission: £3
Mileage: 21/6,753
Tonbridge Angels Women retained their SECWFL League Cup crown with a comfortable 5-0 win over Parkwood Rangers and with it completing a Cup double to add to their runners-up position in the SECWFL Kent Premier Division.
Parkwood belied their league position at the foot of the table with a stubborn first half performance, albeit that the Angels still went into the break two goals to the good.
Angels’ Women’s manager Joe Rowe commented: “I enjoyed that one, the team played really well. We said at half-time we need to keep doing the simple things and opportunities will come, which they did with some great goals and we were good to watch. We’ve had a very good run, 13 or 14 unbeaten and we knew, given league position, that we were the favourites. Credit to Parkwood, they beat Maidstone and Sevenoaks en-route to the final, so we knew that we would have to be on our game.”
A pleasantly warm evening at The Gallagher saw a good turnout from both sets of supporters with the Angels’ barmy army providing the constant backdrop of noise.
The Angels began the game on the front foot, and in fairness, the passage of play didn’t change much throughout the 90 minutes of the game. After just three minutes, Tonbridge’s leading goalscorer, Grace Mayhead was sent clear but, in what became a recurring theme, Parkwood’s goalkeeper, Jemma Roodenburgh was quick off her line to smother her shot. The resultant corner saw Mollyanne Herbert-Smith head against the bar, and this was quickly followed by Herbert-Smith seeing her shot turned over by Roodenburgh.
The game settled into a pattern in which the Angels dominated but stubborn resistance from the Bexley-based side restricted the chances to a bare minimum with Roodenburgh saving well from Charlotte Cresswell on the half-hour.
The Angels goalkeeper, Lois Bartlett, had been largely untroubled before a corner saw a header from Corrie Goodhew clear the bar.
The Angels finally achieved the breakthrough on 33 minutes and, as much as it was well deserved, it came with a stroke of good fortune as Aimee Churchill’s free kick from 20 yards took a massive deflection to leave Roodenburgh stranded.
Two minutes before the break the lead was doubled when Churchill opened up a shooting opportunity for Hope Mumford that went through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the roof of the net.
Early second half saves from Roodenburgh to twice deny Herbert-Smith came prior to a 30 yard screamer into the top corner from Milly Driscoll that would be a contender for any goal of the season contest.
Parkwood continued to battle hard against a never-ending tide of Angels pressure and even survived a penalty miss on 74 minutes, before good work down the right by Holly Maclaurin allowed Cresswell to score from close range for the Angels’ fourth.
The game was wrapped up on 81 minutes when Amelia Cooper cut in from the left to bury her shot into the bottom corner.
Joe Rowe summed up the women’s season: “Our aim was, we have got promoted and we are not here just to turn up and be an extra team in that league. Our aim was top three and a cup final, so I’m really pleased with the runners-up spot and to win two cup finals.”
Parkwood Rangers Women (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Women (2) 5 Churchill 33 Herbert-Smith 43 Driscoll 54 Cresswell 74 Cooper 81
Attendance: 200
Admission: £3
Mileage: 21/6,753
Tonbridge Angels Women retained their SECWFL League Cup crown with a comfortable 5-0 win over Parkwood Rangers and with it completing a Cup double to add to their runners-up position in the SECWFL Kent Premier Division.
Parkwood belied their league position at the foot of the table with a stubborn first half performance, albeit that the Angels still went into the break two goals to the good.
Angels’ Women’s manager Joe Rowe commented: “I enjoyed that one, the team played really well. We said at half-time we need to keep doing the simple things and opportunities will come, which they did with some great goals and we were good to watch. We’ve had a very good run, 13 or 14 unbeaten and we knew, given league position, that we were the favourites. Credit to Parkwood, they beat Maidstone and Sevenoaks en-route to the final, so we knew that we would have to be on our game.”
A pleasantly warm evening at The Gallagher saw a good turnout from both sets of supporters with the Angels’ barmy army providing the constant backdrop of noise.
The Angels began the game on the front foot, and in fairness, the passage of play didn’t change much throughout the 90 minutes of the game. After just three minutes, Tonbridge’s leading goalscorer, Grace Mayhead was sent clear but, in what became a recurring theme, Parkwood’s goalkeeper, Jemma Roodenburgh was quick off her line to smother her shot. The resultant corner saw Mollyanne Herbert-Smith head against the bar, and this was quickly followed by Herbert-Smith seeing her shot turned over by Roodenburgh.
The game settled into a pattern in which the Angels dominated but stubborn resistance from the Bexley-based side restricted the chances to a bare minimum with Roodenburgh saving well from Charlotte Cresswell on the half-hour.
The Angels goalkeeper, Lois Bartlett, had been largely untroubled before a corner saw a header from Corrie Goodhew clear the bar.
The Angels finally achieved the breakthrough on 33 minutes and, as much as it was well deserved, it came with a stroke of good fortune as Aimee Churchill’s free kick from 20 yards took a massive deflection to leave Roodenburgh stranded.
Two minutes before the break the lead was doubled when Churchill opened up a shooting opportunity for Hope Mumford that went through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the roof of the net.
Early second half saves from Roodenburgh to twice deny Herbert-Smith came prior to a 30 yard screamer into the top corner from Milly Driscoll that would be a contender for any goal of the season contest.
Parkwood continued to battle hard against a never-ending tide of Angels pressure and even survived a penalty miss on 74 minutes, before good work down the right by Holly Maclaurin allowed Cresswell to score from close range for the Angels’ fourth.
The game was wrapped up on 81 minutes when Amelia Cooper cut in from the left to bury her shot into the bottom corner.
Joe Rowe summed up the women’s season: “Our aim was, we have got promoted and we are not here just to turn up and be an extra team in that league. Our aim was top three and a cup final, so I’m really pleased with the runners-up spot and to win two cup finals.”
Monday, 5 May 2025
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 0 Whitstable Town U23 5
Match 100/24/2338 - Monday, 5th May 2025 - SCEFL Development East
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 0
Whitstable Town U23 (1) 5
Headcount: 53
Admission: £2.50
Mileage: 1/6,732
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 0
Whitstable Town U23 (1) 5
Headcount: 53
Admission: £2.50
Mileage: 1/6,732
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