Dartford 3 Tonbridge 0

Match 59/19/1781 - Saturday, 28th December 2019 - National South

Dartford (1) 3 McQueen 27 Romain 68 Sheringham 90+3
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,239

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 64/4,614

Since the start of the season and a narrow defeat at home to Dulwich, I and many others have made the comment that nobody has really turned Tonbridge over, unfortunately that comment is no more, Dartford well and truly turned us over.

Dartford fielded a side that showed just one player from that Tuesday evening in early September when the Angels 3-2 victory ended the reign of Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan at Princes Park. That Dartford side were a shambles, this one was one, if not the, best sides we have played this season.

Tonbridge were on the back foot from the outset with Jack Parter clearing Elliott Romain’s header from the line after five minutes.

Dartford continued to hold the momentum with a penalty claim after Darren McQueen had been brought down. Meanwhile, Tonbridge were literally barely getting out of their own half, let alone threatening the home goal.

The opening goal, that had been a long time coming, was scored after 27 minutes when a long ball over the top was seized upon by Tyrique Hyde whose initial effort was blocked but the rebound fell for McQueen to fire into the roof of the net.

The one-way traffic continued and a clearance from the line was once more required to deny Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong.

After 41 minutes, Tonbridge finally registered a shot on target, albeit that Jared Small’s effort was little more than fielding practice for the Darts’ goalkeeper, Alhaji Sesay.

A minute later, Dartford struck the post when Romain’s low shot stayed out after hitting the inside of the woodwork and rebounding across the face of the goal. Tonbridge were somehow still in the game at half-time with a single goal deficit with both sets of supporters wondering how.

With, what could only have been a half-time rollicking from Steve McKimm ringing in their ears, Tonbridge came out and, for a 20 minute period, looked to be competitive and threatening with Small actually bringing a meaningful save out of Sesay with a couple of minutes gone.

The game was quite end-to-end and hopes were beginning to rise but these came crashng to earth when Romain was allowed to run with the ball before unleashing a fierce 25-yarder into the bottom corner to double Dartford’s advantage.

That was probably it and it took the sting out of the game as Dartford easily contained any threat from their visitors and seemed content with what they had. But a curious incident with a couple of minutes remaining might well have set up a grandstand finish. A seemingly innocuous challenge from Khale Da Costa on Sesay sparked a melee in which the Dartford central defender Josh Hill push a Tonbridge player to the ground with the referee brandishing a red card in his direction in lightening fashion. Tonbridge contended that the offence should result in a penalty but the referee gave a free kick to Dartford for the initial offence from which he appeared to have played on.

With Tonbridge throwing Sonny Miles forward in search of a consolation, a right wing surge from Luke Wanadio ended with a pull back from the bye-line offering Charlie Sheringham a tap-in for Dartford’s third. Sheringham and Wanadio coming off the bench really highlighted the differences in resources between the clubs.

After the Boxing Day postponement of the derby day fixture against Maidstone United and this defeat, it has not been a Christmas to remember for the Angels.

Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 58/19/1780 - Saturday, 21st December 2019 - National South

Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 1 Muir 90+3
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Turner
Attendance: 424
New Ground: 339

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 186/4,550

Angels Boss, Steve McKimm refused to be downbeat after the game despite the fact he had seen his side concede a stoppage time equaliser that denied the Kent side two precious points in their quest to climb away from the lower reaches of National South.

“I’m proud of the performance the boys gave today against a side full of experience. I know people will say we haven’t won away from home yet this season, but I don’t want our players to get hung up on that, the fact is we are picking up points away from home and whether that comes through draws or wins the points will stack up. I’m sure the majority of our supporters ,who I must say were again fantastic today, will have left very pleased with what they have seen from their team.”

Not for the first time this campaign, McKimm was forced to re-calibrate his squad to take account of injuries. Although Jack Parter was able to resume normal duties at left back the absence of Christ Tiehi meant that Alex Bentley was moved to the holding midfield position while Jason Williams became the lone striker replacing the injured Tom Derry. Jarrod Small took over right wing duties from Khale Da Costa who was another on the injured list. The unwell Harry Donovan although named on the bench was only able to participate in the final moments of the game. To sum up the bench consisted of one substitute goalkeeper Ted McDonald, one new signee Jayden Antwi-Nyame, an unwell Donovan and the injured Da Costa.

Despite this, the Angels went toe to toe with a high riding Hemel Hempstead and came within a minute of nicking all the points which given the circumstances would have been some achievement.

Not surprisingly The Tudors made most of the running during the early stages with Craig Bramham-Barrett particularly prominent down the left flank with Jake Howells pulling the strings in midfield. The Angels defence was forced to keep their concentration but led by skipper Sonny Miles with Alex Bentley doing some sterling work just in front of the back line. The times that Hemel Hempstead did manage to pierce the Tonbridge rearguard, they found keeper Jonny Henly in excellent form with top drawer saves in the 35th and 44th Minutes.

There were few moments for Tonbridge up front despite the unselfish work from striker Jason Williams. In the 34th minute Jarrod Small made a searing run down the right flank and turned along the bye line but his short cross was somehow cut out by a Hemel Hempstead defender for a corner.

The second period saw an improvement in the game with a more open style of play from both sides and from Angels in particular who gave notice that they were not simply there to make up the numbers. In the very first minute of the second half a piece of miss communication between a Hemel Hempstead defender and the goalkeeper let in Small but the winger’s angle was too tight and the shot hit the side netting.

The hosts thought they had scored in the 49th minute but the whistle had gone for a foul. They did however force another good save from Henly a minute later.

On 53 minutes, Williams saw his shot blocked on the line after good work from D’Sean Theobalds and Joe Turner and you sensed that Angels were starting to believe they could get something from the game. Just a minute later Jack Parter put through Turner, the winger made the space for the shot but it lacked genuine power. It was however simply a prelude to what was to follow when in the 70th minute again fed by Parter the winger hit an unstoppable piledriver into the top right hand corner of the Tudors net.

Inevitably there was to be a response from Hemel Hempstead and it needed a saving tackle from Bentley in the 83rd minute. However it was to be Tonbridge who were creating the clearer chances with a couple of efforts inches wide from Greenhalgh and a shot from Theobalds

As the game entered stoppage time it seemed as if the Angels would be celebrating that first away win but in a mad couple of minutes with goalkeeper Sam Beasant going up for the final set piece somehow Niko Muir forced the ball over the line despite Henly claiming he was held. In truth it was difficult for the referee to see through all the many players in the goal area.

Ravensbourne 2 Hugh Christie 0

Match 57/19/1779 - Wednesday, 18th December 2019 - Academies Championship North

Ravensbourne (1) 2
Hugh Christie (0) 0
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 70/4,364

If Rhys Bartlett could wish for anything for his Development squad it would be that Santa Claus delivers them a package of self-belief. In their last game of the year at Bromley’s Hayes Lane they were the equals of their hosts but came away with a 2-0 defeat in a competitive game. On occasions this squad beat themselves before they start and if they had just a little more faith in their own ability they would be winning games like this one but goalkeeper Josh Watfa at least had the satisfaction of backing up his first clean sheet of the season last week with a fine penalty save.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2

Match 56/19/1778 - Saturday, 14th December 2019 - FA Trophy First Round

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Theobalds 90 (pen) Brown (o.g.) 90+4
Hampton & Richmond Borough (2) 2 Orsi-Dadomo 5 Ahmidi 36
Attendance: 412

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,294

For the second week in succession Angels managed to recover from a two goal deficit to get something from the game, although this time they left it perilously late.

The two National South sides will have to do it all over again on Tuesday evening following dramatic late goals from the home side after it looked as if they were about to depart the competition

It was Angels with most of the chances in the first period but Hampton who reached the break two goals to the good. The visitors started strongly and with the home defence seemingly bewildered it was no surprise when Danilo Orsi-Dadomo game the Beavers the lead with just five minutes on the clock.

The goal woke up Tonbridge from their apathy and they proceeded to create a number of chances with Khale Da Costa, Joe Turner and Tom Derry all going close. Despite that it was the clinical Beavers who went further ahead in the 36th minute following a mistake on the Tonbridge back line with Wadah Ahmedi the grateful recipient.

With the pitch becoming heavier the quality of football declined and chances were few and far between but that played into Hampton’s hands and they appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win.

As time ran out Sonny Miles went up top and with Jarrod Small on one flank and Da Costa on the other the crosses stared to come in and the HMpton defence was becoming stretched.

With 90 minutes on the clock time was running out for the home side when Rian Bray was fouled in the area and D’Sean Theobalds made no mistake with the spot kick. Two minutes later after huge pressure on the Hampton goal, Alex Bentley got the final touch with the help of a slight deflection for that dramatic last gasp equaliser.

Afterwards Angels Boss Steve McKimm said : “At times it wasn’t the best of performances but I have to give the players great credit for never giving up. We’re in Monday’s draw and we’ve earned another chance.”

Hugh Christie 1 Abbey School 3

Match 55/19/1777 - Wednesday, 11th December 2019 - Academies League Cup

Hugh Christie (0) 1
Abbey School (0) 3
Headcount: 8

Admission: Free
Programme: Free
Mileage: 32/4,256

In the absence of an Elite fixture, the Development 1 side took centre stage with an Academies League Cup Quarter-Final against Dover Athletic. With neither side senior team’s playing, both drafted in players, but it was the Crabble-based side that proved the stronger running out 3-1 winners. Josh Reed scoring the home side’s goal.

Tonbridge Angels 3 Billericay Town 2

Match 54/19/1776 - Saturday, 7th December 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Da Costa 49,67 Derry 51
Billericay Town (2) 2 Akinwande 7 Alfa 17
Attendance: 557

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,224

It was in every sense a game of two halves. At the break the Angels looked down and out trailing by two goals but the second period saw the home side score three times to take all the points.

Despite a bright start for the Angels using the width of the pitch well, it was Billericay who were to take the lead in the 7th minute with a fine individual goal Femi Akinwande. He cut in from the right wing made the space and fired past Jonny Henly in the Home goal.

Ten minutes later it was to get even better for the visitors when Odysseus Alfa who was not closed down put in an unstoppable 25 yarder that flew into the top right hand corner of the goal.

By now it was all Billericay forcing Henly into a series of fine saves, the only downside for the visitors, being the sight of Callum Kennedy being stretchered off following a nasty looking injury.

The game was quite literally turned on its head in the second period. On 49 minutes Khale Da Costa’s free kick seemed to deceive the Billericay defence, went straight into the goal and Tonbridge were on the way back. Two minutes later a Ben Greenhalgh Cross was converted by Tom Derry for the equaliser.

On 67 minutes the home side were ahead when Joe Turner’s Cross from the left was fired in by Da Costa for his second. There were no further goals but chances fell for both sides to keep the crowd on their toes.

The Angels will be delighted with this win and why not. To come back from two goals down against a side with experienced players is no mean feat and they did it in some style making their visitors look at times very much the underdogs. There were good performances right across the squad, Jonny with his first half saves without which there wouldn’t have been a contest, the two centre backs Sonny and Rian, the central midfield duo of Christ and Harry and the ever dangerous Da Costaaaa.

Afterwards, Steve McKimm said : “After Tuesday evening’s disappointing 2nd half performance, my players knew what was expected of them and they certainly delivered.”

North Kent College 4 Hugh Christie 1

Match 53/19/1775 - Wednesday, 4th December 2019 - Academies Championship

North Kent College (4) 4
Hugh Christie (1) 1
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 66/4,252

Development Squad Two went down at league leaders North Kent College. It was a disappointing performance from Rhys Bartlett’s squad who knew they were going to be in for a tough game but lacked the self belief, especially in the first half, to make a contest of the match. Rhys’ side has made massive strides in the couple of months since the season’s start but they have to stop beating themselves in their own minds before the game starts.

Hungerford Town 1 Tonbridge 0

Match 52/19/1774 - Tuesday, 3rd December 2019 - National South

Hungerford Town (0) 1 Johnson-Schuster 63
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 191
New Ground: 338

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2
Mileage: 230/4,186

The sight of Angels Boss, Steve McKimm coming straight over to the away supporters at the final whistle and apologizing to everyone individually for an inept performance by his side tells you everything you need to know about this game.

A very ordinary first half performance with the home side having the advantage of the slope saw the Angels protecting their goal reasonably well and restricting the Crusaders to only one really decent chance. That came at in the 43rd minute when Tonbridge keeper Jonny Henly flapped at a cross coming in but redeemed himself at the second attempt as Marcus Johnson-Schuster couldn't quite get enough on the ball to force it home.

For Tonbridge, a mistake on the Hungerford back line let in Jason Williams on 17 minutes but defenders recovered quickly, he was driven wide and the chance was gone. A minute later a good interception by Christ Tiehi and with a penetrating run the shot was on target but fairly easy for Josh Bradley-Hurst. On the half hour mark Joe Turner was able to cut in from the left wing and although he managed to create some space the resultant effort was well wide.

With honours even at the break and the slope in their favour, Angels supporters as they warmed their hands over a warm cup of tea on a cold night in West Berkshire were looking forward to the team taking the game to their hosts for those precious three points that would have put them above Dulwich Hamlet. Instead they were forced to watch a most inept display as Hungerford Town showed far more enterprise making light work of the slope. Only Henly who made two or three crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable and midfield substitute Harry Donovan could come out with any genuine honours, as the men in blue simply failed to impose themselves on the game at virtually any stage during that second period.

There was just one passage of play as the match was nearing its end when the Angels suddenly realized things were slipping away from them. A decent run by substitute Khale Da Costa and with help from Donovan the ball was cut back to Ben Greenhalgh in a perfect unmarked position in front of goal. The shot came in on target but a desperate defenders leg got in the way and the ball went out for the corner. There were to be no more scares for Hungerford as they saw out the remaining few minutes in relative comfort.

As far as the winning goal was concerned a somewhat innocuous cross from the Hungerford left was simply not dealt with by any Angels defenders and with it marking also went out of the window. Up stole Johnson-Schuster with the freedom of the park at his disposal to place a well struck shot past Henly in the 61st minute.

Gillingham 3 Doncaster Rovers 0

Match 51/19/1773 - Sunday, 1st December 2019 - FA Cup 2R

Gillingham (2) 3 Byrne 11 Lee 15 Hanlan 68
Doncaster Rovers (0) 0
Attendance: 3,216

Admission: £11 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 38/3,956

Slough Town 0 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 50/19/1772 - Saturday, 30th November 2019 - National South

Slough Town (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 771

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 163/3,918

Any neutrals walking away from Arbour Park would probably have been making comments along the lines of a poor advert for National South or a game devoid of goalmouth action. Not suffering from neutrality, I can afford to bask in the light of a point hard won against a team riding on the crest of a wave of great form.

For the vast majority of Tonbridge supporters this would have been their first visit to Slough Town’s impressive facility. I had the pleasure of visiting last season when with Gillingham fans packed into an un-terraced corner it wasn’t quite so comfortable. But on a League Saturday and able to see behind the scenes, it really is something to aspire too and there is so much more that can be done to expand further.

Tonbridge needed to get onto the front foot from the outset and not let the hosts obvious confidence grow and Jared Small’s outpacing of his marker and a corner headed over from Rhian Bray was a warning that the Angels were not in Berkshire just to make up the numbers.

Slough did though pick up the momentum but although they largely dominated the first half, Jonny Henly was only brought into action on a couple of occasions, one of which after 31 minutes being a good save from Max Worsfold.

The second period saw a greater level of action in both final thirds that made it a much more enjoyable spectacle with Tonbridge having more than their fair share of the game.

After 57 minutes, Francis Amartey had a great chance for Slough but shot narrowly wider, but Tonbridge responded a minute later when D’Sean Theobalds and Tom Derry linking well before the striker missed at the near post.

Three minutes later the Angels were denied an even better chance when the backside of a Slough defender managed to deflect the ball wide as Ben Greenhalgh shot from close range.

Henly made a good save at his near post to thwart Amartey whilst a Sonny Miles header was over and Turner’s header was shuffled to safety.

At the finish, to a man, players and management, personally thanked the Angels’ support who were obviously delighted with the point. Football was never meant to be a game of neutrality.