Tonbridge Angels 0 Dover Athletic 2

Match 8/17/1458 - Monday, 24th July 2017 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0 #10
Dover Athletic (1) 2 Adebowale 2, Sho-Silva 55
Attendance: 166

Entrance: £5
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/596

Tonbridge Angels surrendered their unbeaten preseason following a two goal defeat from their National League visitors, Dover Athletic.

Steve McKimm was short of several first team regulars and Steve Panayi, Dom Welsh, Ryan McPharlane and Tashi Kwayie were given starts.

Dover were physically and technically stronger than their hosts but credit has to be given to the Angels who stubbornly stuck to their task and created three good opportunities, all headed, but sadly two from Nathan Elder and one from the diminutive Dom Welsh failed to find the target.

Dover started the game on the front foot and were ahead after just 84 seconds when a free kick was pushed away low to his left by Anthony Di Bernardo but the ball was turned back into the danger area by one of Dover’s trialists into the path of Manny Adebowale to stab home from close range.

The first 20 minutes were very much one-way traffic in favour of the east coast side with the Angels back line stretched to the very limit on several occasions.

A fine pass from Damian Scannell gave Kwayie the home side’s first opportunity but his effort was deflected wide of the post.

After half an hour a great cross from Craig Stone found the head of the Elder, but his header was wide of the mark.

On the stroke of half-time another fine cross from the right, this time from Luke Blewden came to the unlikely figure of Welsh, but his header was wide of the left hand post.

Ten minutes into the second period, the same trialist that set up the opening goal once more worked his way into a position to cross from the bye-line to the feet of Tobi Sho-Silva, who tapped in from no more than a yard.

The Angels’ third headed opportunity came after 65 minutes when a free kick from the impressive Scannell was headed over by Elder.

Scannell limped out of the action, leaving Tonbridge to see out the final eight minutes a man light having used all their available substitutes.

Steve McKimm reflected in his post-match interview: "It was a good work out for us, especially for the young lads. They were up against a good experienced side but I was very happy with the work ethic and 2-0 is no disgrace."