Chatham Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 69/25/2411 - Tuesday, 24th March 2026 - Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final

Chatham Town (0) 1 Cooper 78
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Baker 55
Tonbridge Angels won on penalties 6-5
Attendance: 816
Admission: £8
Mileage: 34/4,211

A COUNTY CUP FINAL, REALLY?

This is a football blog, so let’s get that out of the way first! In a howling gale, at times driving rain, this was never going to be one for the purist and it certainly was not. It was scrappy, attritional and, for large parts one hoped that one skilful moment would settle it, thus avoiding the lottery of a penalty shootout.

As it happened the second half brought two great finishes, but one for each side, and the spot kick drama needed to unfold.

After four successful spot kicks and one saved by Angels’ goalkeeper Matt Rowley, the scene was set for Alfie Pavey to complete the contest but his effort was saved by Nathan Harvey and the drama continued beyond the first five designated takers when Kian Moyes levelled for the hosts. Three successful penalties, one for Bunmi Babajide when memories of his missed penalty at Chippenham swirled around the Angels’ faithful. Up stepped Tope Fadahunsi for the Chats, his shot was pushed upwards by Rowley, diving to his right and when the ball rebounded off the crossbar, he became engulfed by ecstatic team mates.

Tonbridge’s history is barely a history in the County Cup. They haven’t won it since 1975 and their last appearance in the Final, 13 years ago, is best forgotten as they lost 7-1 at Longmead to a Charlton Athletic Under-23 squad.

Back in October, Chatham knocked the Angels out of the FA Cup. It was a result that was richly deserved, but as good as the Chats were on the day, it was felt that the Angels had not done themselves justice and to progress to the Kent Senior Cup Final at their expense would be seen as a modicum of recompense.

Chatham are also firmly in the playoff-off chase, nobody is going to catch Jay Saunders’ Folkestone Invicta, but the jostling for the advantageous places perhaps dictated their team selection with a couple of notable absentees. Meanwhile, Alan Dunne made three changes but the starting XI looked as strong as possible.

The hosts started the brighter with Matty Macarthur, an ex-Angels loanee, to the fore, but once the Angels settled into the game they were the dominant side with wind-assisted corner after corner from Bailey Akehurst dropping underneath the crossbar, giving Harvey acute discomfort.

But, in truth, the only winner during the first period was the wind with my half-time thoughts being that the home side had been subdued to the point that the atmosphere barely resembled that of a semi-final.

Dunne brought life to the game at the start of the second period bringing Frankie Baker, Babajide and Kyle Smith into the game and the added pace of the front two brought a different dimension and pretty much an immediate dividend as a misplaced pass saw Baker run clear of a labouring defender to finish with aplomb as Harvey advanced.

Babajide’s pace and quick feet continued to harass the Chatham back line and, just three minutes after the goal, his effort was agonisingly deflected wide of the post.

Akehurst saw a couple of shots go narrowly over and substitute Sean Shields tested Harvey as the Angels took charge of the game, so it came as a surprise when a misplaced pass from Matt Warren landed at the feet of Simon Cooper, who took aim from 25 yards to find the bottom corner.

Buoyed by their equaliser, it was the Chats that made the late running and probably the Angels who were the more relieved to hear the final whistle, despite Rowley not being unduly tested.

And so to penalties, once again history doesn’t reflect well on Tonbridge, but Pavey apart they were immaculate.

Wednesday, 22nd April at Priestfield Stadium sees 1975 revisited with Maidstone United once again the opponents. Alan Dunne promised us memories, after 51 years it will be nice to have a new one.

Pictures: David Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels U18 7 AFC Whyteleafe 2

Match 68/25/2410 - Monday, 23rd March 2026 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (5) 7
AFC Whyteleafe U18 (2) 2
Headcount: 45
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,177

ONE LAST STEP REQUIRED!

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s took one more step towards retaining their Isthmian Youth League East title with a surprisingly comfortable win over AFC Whyteleafe.

Last week’s reverse fixture was a tightly contested win for the Angels that could have gone either way and when the Surrey side took a 2-1 lead after 22 minutes much of the same was expected.

But the U18’s stepped up a gear and three late first half goals took the game away from the visitors.

After a bright opening from Whyteleafe, the Angels took the lead on seven minutes when Mackenzie Richardson was sent clear by River Ballach, he saw his initial shot parried back into his path by the goalkeeper to finish at the second attempt.

The lead was only to last five minutes when an uncharacteristic mistake from Jacob Hunt allowed a tap in for the equaliser and following a free kick, a header put the visitors in front.

Stung into a response, Richardson struck the underside of the bar before Ballach’s cross was finished at the far post by Robert Penman on the half-hour.

Ballach added a goal to his two assists when his cross-cum-shot sailed over the keeper’s head into the far corner to put the Angels in front.

The Angels youngsters were now dominant and two goals in first half added time saw them enter the break with a comfortable lead. Richardson set up Callum Fincham for the fourth and with the last kick of the half, Penman added his second.

Despite it being one-way traffic into the second period, it took until the 68th minute to add a sixth when Penman completed his hat-trick from a tight angle.

Three minutes from time substitute Kyler Barton added a seventh to set up the finale at Haywards Heath next month whilst expecting Cobham to win their remaining two games.

As the youth season begins to wind down, perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the progress made in the youth programme at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

Five years ago, I stepped down from the board at Tonbridge Angels, frustrated that the previous U18 set up had seen its demise and the prospect of regaining control of the club’s Kent Youth League teams from Tonbridge Juniors seemingly impossible.

Under the club’s chair, Sophie Purves, who shared my frustration, the 3G pitch was laid which firstly allowed the reinstatement of the Isthmian U18 side, and subsequently this season, the KYL sides returning to our badge that has already brought a title for the U16’s; a potential title and a Cup Final for the U15’s; at worst a runners-up spot for the U14’s and a solid season after a shaky start for the youngest group at U13.

The next stage of the development sees the Academy brought in-house completing the pathway from U13 through to the senior team. It has been a while since Sonny Miles made that journey, but now, the pathway is in place for someone to emulate his achievement.

There is much more to be done in both the boys and girls programme, but the Sophie and her board have shown the desire to further the set-up and Tonbridge Angels will be a stronger and better club for it.

Picture: Emma Wheeler

Tonbridge Angels 2 Bath City 1

Match 67/25/2409 - Saturday, 21st March 2026 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1Akehurst 18 (pen) Babajide 53
Bath City (1) 1 Wilson 8
Attendance: 1,762
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,139

HOME AND DRY!

The somewhat unexpected three points obtained at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, mathematics aside, assured safety in National League South for another season leaving supporters of Tonbridge Angels to enjoy the last six games and engage in the speculation of who might, and who might not, be around next season.

As a guest of the match sponsor, we were treated to the pre-match briefing from manager Alan Dunne who replying to the host’s question regarding the run-in said there would be no foot off the pedal; players were playing to keep their shirts and in so doing keep themselves in the front of the manager’s mind when it comes to dishing out the new contracts.

One such player is Bailey Akehurst. The Tonbridge wing back has had an in and out season, probably spending too much time on the bench for his own liking but in recent weeks has given the manager a hefty nudge, as if he needed it, to the quality that he can bring to the party.

Today, after slotting home a first half penalty to bring the Angels level, Akehurst produced the pass of the season, perfectly weighted so that Bunmi Babajide didn’t need to break stride before clinically finishing to extend the Angels recent run to seven wins in nine and a fourth consecutive home win whilst consolidating Bath City’s position in the bottom four.

I would be sad to see Bath relegated. It’s a good day out or a great weekend away and the fixture holds a special significance personally. At the risk of trotting out a story that has been published on this blog previously, back in 1959 this fixture is where my history with Tonbridge began.

My Dad, never an Angels supporter, took me to the old Angel Ground principally to watch Charlie Fleming, an ex-Sunderland striker who dropped into non-league football, surprisingly early at the age of 31, after scoring 62 goals in three years at Roker Park. Nicknamed Cannonball for his ferocious shot he became a legend at Twerton Park, making 300 appearances and scoring 216 goals.

He scored twice that day at the Angel as Bath took home the points, but for me the seeds had been sown with the home side.

Despite the very late, 3am evidently, return from Weston on Tuesday, Dunne went with an unchanged line-up on a day of bright sunshine and a huge crowd as the Angels made the game their second Community Day, in which local schools were offered free tickets.

Bath no longer have a Cannonball Fleming, but they do have a sharp striker in Scott Wilson, who gave the visitors an eighth minute lead, converting with a near post header after the West Country side had had much the better of the early exchanges.

Tonbridge were level on 18 minutes when a clumsy challenge saw Frankie Baker felled in the box allowing Akehurst to use his trusty left foot to good effect from the spot.

The first half became pretty much even steven with the visitors almost inexplicably failing to regain their lead on the half-hour when Josh Laqertabua brought a smart save from Matt Rowley and, as Akehurst got his feet in a tangle attempting the clearance, Jaiden Putman slammed his shot against the bar when it would have been easier to score.

In reply, Babajide saw his effort saved by Harvey Wiles-Richards after a good build up involving Ricky Korboa and Marcus Sablier.

Early in the second period, Wilson was denied by a superb block from Jordon Thompson before, on 53 minutes, Akehurst’s wonder pass set up Babajide’s ultimate winner.

The Angels dominated proceedings from that moment but just couldn’t find the goal that would have put the game to bed.

Wiles-Richards made good saves to deny substitutes Sean Shields, Tom Leahy and a goal for a third consecutive game by Ethan Sutcliffe.

Bath had very little left in the tank to threaten in the Angels in the closing minutes despite being given seven extra mminutes to find a goal.

So on the sidelines it is time to relax and enjoy, a pleasure that in all likelihood denied to players looking to the future.

Pictures: David Couldridge

Gillingham 0 Swindon Town 2

Match 66/25/2408 - Tuesday, 17th March 2026 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Swindon Town (0) 2 Drinan 69 Holman 85
Attendance: 4,991
Admission: £22
Mileage: 45/4,101

GILLS IMPROVE, BUT WITHOUT REWARD

It might not have been the best evening to return to Gillingham for the first time in five weeks and with two five goal hammerings in the last two games and a visit from the old enemy, Swindon Town, the prospects were not encouraging.

The resulting 2-0 defeat for the Gills was predictable but the manner of the loss was not. By any matrix Gillingham were extremely unlucky, they dominated almost every area of the game barring the opening 15 minutes when confidence was obviously shaken by the recent results. But, as we are regularly advised by football managers, if you don’t take your chances, you are vulnerable and Swindon, with their only two shots on target, scored twice following questionable defending.

Tempering my disappointment, Tonbridge Angels won with a late goal at Weston-super-Mare, thereby reaching 50 points, safety and a another National League South season to enjoy.

There was a time when the animosity between the clubs, dating back to 1979, Ray McHale, Danny Westwood and the old-timer threatening the referee with his walking stick, would have brought a full house but, whether it was Gillingham’s woeful form or that the rivalry has now faded into the mists of time, an attendance of 4,991 was paltry.

Gillingham might have gone into the break one or two goals in front without the superb interventions from the Swindon goalkeeper, Connor Ripley, who belied the Rainham End jibes regarding his ample girth, brilliantly turning over a shot heading for the top corner from Ronan Hale after 31 minutes and diving low to claw away a header from Omar Beckles following a corner.

Attacking the Rainham End in the second half, a Remeao Hutton cross into the box looked destined to finish in the net as Hale attempted to get on the end of it from close range but the ball was scrambled to safety.

On 69 minutes, the Gills paid for their inability to take their chances when a long punt forward by Ripley, saw two defenders attack the same ball with neither making a meaningful contact but saw Aaron Drinan race clear to clinically finish.

Gillingham created further scrambles in the Swindon area without converting and the coup de grace came five minutes from time when Fletcher Holman scored a second following Joel McGregor’s low cross into the box.

The appreciative applause from the home crowd at the final whistle showed an understanding that this had been a much improved performance, if not the desired result.

AFC Whyteleafe U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 65/25/2407 - Monday, 16th March 2026 - Isthmian Youth League

AFC Whyteleafe U18 (1) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 2 Penman 45+1 Lucas 45+5
Headcount: 53
Admission: Free
Mileage: 82/4,056

IT'S IN THEIR HANDS!

A battle was expected. A battle was got. A battle was won.

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s have the retaining of their Isthmian Youth East title within their own hands following a titanic battle at Whyteleafe, who given their second half onslaught of the Angels’ goal might justifiably feel that they deserved something out of the game. But the visiting defence, superbly led by skipper Ed Dyer, stood firm to take home the valuable points.

A month ago this, and the return fixture at the Yeomans next Monday, looked every inch title deciders, but a recent drop-off of form from Whyteleafe and a consecutive run of seven wins (including a home win against Tonbridge) from Cobham has seen off Whyteleafe’s challenge.

Both Tonbridge and Cobham have two games remaining, Tonbridge lead the division by a single point, and should it come to it, a massive advantage in goal difference. The Angels final two games see the Whyteleafe return and a visit to Haywards Heath whilst Cobham entertain AFC Croydon and visit Lancing, a match frustratingly still to be arranged.

During daylight hours Spring does appear to be upon us but the evenings still retain a chill as was already the case at kick-off time at Church Road.

Whyteleafe, perhaps sensing this was their last chance saloon, started the game like the trains that regularly run behind the stadium and within the opening minute, Angels’ goalkeeper, Jacob Hunt brought off a brilliant save as a home forward bore down on goal.

Having taken due warning from the early scare, the visitors took control of the game and it was the Whyeleafe goalkeeper that needed to be on his toes to deny attempts from Harry Bingham and River Ballach either side of Robert Penman’s drive that was narrowly over.

As the game settled, it became a keenly contested affair, sensibly refereed by Abi Oyeleke. After 21 minutes, Whyteleafe hit a post and with four minutes remaining of the half, they took the lead when their goalscorer was sent clear to tuck the ball past the advancing Hunt.

As the half ticked into added time, Tonbridge won a free kick on the left that was sent towards the near post from where, the ever-alert Penman squeezed the ball home for an equaliser.

With the added time ticking into its fifth minute, the visitors won another free kick, this time, 25 yards from goal and more central. Penman’s low, rasping shot was well saved by the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell into the path of Ashton Lucas who found the net with the last kick of the half.

I don’t think anyone expected the second period to remain goalless as the two sides slugged it out, with on occasions tempers becoming a little frayed but always within the control of the referee.

Of possession, Whyteleafe had the better of the half but, barring one occasion when he saved brilliantly low to his left, Hunt was not seriously tested, much to the credit of the defenders in front of him. Meanwhile, the Angels had chances through Callum Fincham and Penman that might have put the game to bed.

Tonbridge saw the game out, in the corner of the pitch, as Whyteleafe’s frustration led to a series of free kicks.

Dom Welsh commented after the game: “We got home, just about. We were not at our best, but at the business end of the season it is a points game.”

Horsham 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 64/25/2406 - Saturday, 14th March 2026 - National League South

Horsham (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Sutcliffe 90
Attendance: 1,468
Admission: £11
Mileage: 134/3,974

WHISPER IT QUIETLY – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Whisper it very quietly as the magic 50 point mark remains three points away, but Dunney has dun[ne] it, mission accomplished.

A first visit to the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium, the Hop Oast trips off the tongue a lot easier, brought a 1-0 win with a 90th minute goal from Ethan Sutcliffe in a game that had mid-table, end of season written all over it, except for Tonbridge Angels at least, there was just a little rubber stamping remaining.

Firstly, for the groundhopping fraternity, Horsham’s newish stadium was opened in 2019 and is a presentable, 3,000 capacity ground, tree-lined that adds to its charm. On entry to the Hop Oast, the first point that should be made, is the friendliness of the place, if everywhere could follow the template of Horsham Football Club, football would be in a much nicer place.

The main stand holds around 300 people, the only seating in the stadium so only just fulfilling the National League criteria. Opposite the main stand are two covered enclosures, either side of the dug-outs and behind the far goal is another area of covered terracing. At the entrance to the ground are the well-appointed bar facilities raised above flat standing behind the goal. The 3G pitch, which we were told would be replaced in the summer, certainly looked to have seen better days.

As the season enters its frantic last six weeks, with Saturday/Tuesday the norm from now on, Alan Dunne chose to rotate quite heavily with five changes following the midweek defeat at Dover.

The first half can be filed under the 45 minutes that the 1,468 present are not going to get back category, shaded by the home side, was awful. Best chance of the half was blazed over the bar by Horsham’s Shiloh Remy, whilst efforts from Alfie Pavey and Ricky Korboa for the Angels disappeared into the bright blue Sussex sky.

Thankfully for the paying public, the game did improve somewhat in the second period with Tonbridge taking control of the game, despite the opening chance falling to former Angel, Shamir Fenelon, who broke clear but took too long to get his shot away allowing Sutcliffe to make a saving tackle.

After 64 minutes, there was a heavy collision between another former Angel, Jack Brivio and Pavey that saw the former laying motionless for somewhile and, during the 12 minute stoppage, the Horsham manager, Dom Di Paolo saw a red card for saying something out of turn directed at referee Dan England.

As the game entered its extensive stoppage time, Matt Warren saw his shot from distance agonisingly deflected past the post but, from the resulting corner from Bailey Akehurst into a crowded penalty area, Sutcliffe stabbed the ball home and with perhaps the help of a deflection, leaving Lewis Carey wrong-footed and the Angels were in front.

In the fourth minute of the twelve added, Matt Rowley was called on to make his big save of the afternoon from a header following a corner, leaving the visiting supporters to celebrate with the We Are Staying Up chant as Tonbridge saw out time with relative comfort.

Looking at the National League table, the grotty trip to Braintree beckons alongside the visit to the end of the earth that is Truro, can’t wait. Thanks Dunney!

Action pictures: Dave Couldridge

Dover Athletic 2 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 63/25/2405 - Tuesday, 10th March 2026 - National League South

Dover Athletic (1) 2 Wilkinson 22,54
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 731
Admission: £17
Mileage: 94/3,840

When the fixtures drop in July, there are dates that are immediately pencilled it, Boxing Day, the Maidstone games and perhaps there is a new ground to visit. On the flip side, there are the visits that are done out of nothing more than loyalty while secretly hoping that a valid excuse surfaces to give it a miss.

Such is Dover Athletic, charmless and unfriendly, whose modus operandi seems to be to make visiting supporters as unwelcome as possible.

Where was the communication that this would be a segregated game. I’ve no issue with the decision to segregate given the recent history of both club's set of youths, but to only find out on arrival at the ground is poor, very poor.

For those of you who have never been to Crabble (lucky you), the stadium is set atop a hill, not just any old hill, it’s a mountain that with a bit of snow could host the downhill at the Winter Olympics. After a torturous climb to reach the turnstiles, with no help from club officials informing you in which direction to walk, I decided to put a step counter on the return descent which recorded a near half-mile hike down a treacherous, unlit pathway.

On the playing field, I have nothing but respect for Dover’s manager Jake Leberl. He took over a basket case of a club with a notoriously difficult chairman in a pretty toxic atmosphere and has led them to promotion and relative safety in National League South on what I can only imagine is a small budget in comparison to the division’s big hitters that certainly doesn’t include Tonbridge Angels.

One area in which Dover have always excelled is with their academy and it was fitting that a scholar of their programme, George Wikinson, was the architect of their 2-0 win.

Tonbridge went into the game on a high following Saturday’s win against Worthing, but on the night have to reflect on an evening of possession aplenty but with no cutting edge and ending up on the receiving end of two very good goals, the first a beautifully crafted team goal and the second a wonder strike from 25 yards.

On a heavy pitch, manager Alan Dunne opted for an amount of rotation with four changes to the starting XI with Bradley Williams, Matty Warren, Naz Bakrin and Alfie Pavey included.

A game unfolded that was high on endeavour, low on quality but, uncharacteristically defined by two moments of excellence. After 20 minutes of nothingness, a series of one-two’s within the Angels box opened up the space for Wikinson to roll the ball past Matt Rowley into the far corner.

Frankie Baker’s persistence and pace offered the Angels a route back into the game but this foundered throughout on the defensive solidity of two brick outhouses in Jalen Jones and Harry Beadle.

Bunmi Babajide, as always, was full of energy and it was his effort just before the break that was deflected into the welcoming hands of Mitch Walker that brought the first involvement of the Dover stopper.

Dunney’s Plan B was left with a Crabble-sized mountain to scale after 54 minutes when a headed clearance was met on the half-volley from Wilkinson which found the top corner like a tracer bullet. It was some hit and one I guess he won’t replicate ever again.

The goal brought a trio of the Dover oiks to goad the Angels support, undoubtedly the segregation plan was well founded, if ill-timed.

A full complement of substitutions, the vast majority of possession and plenty of “penalty area entry” failed to unduly stretch Walker although a cross-cum-shot from Bailey Akehurst drifted only narrowly wide and Akehurst was also responsible for a shot that cannoned off the goalkeeper’s chest.

Roll on July, fixtures being scanned in excited expectation, but this one won’t set the pulses racing.

Sent from my iPhone