Canvey Island 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 64/21/1928 - Saturday, 27th November 2021 - National League South

Canvey Island (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Turner 57
Attendance: 363

Admission: £6 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 108/3,614

It was horrible. The wind howled and it’s bitterness cut through you like a knife. As the second half progressed the rain added to the discomfort for the players, at least we had the sanctuary of a roof. This was Canvey Island in the bleak midwinter and this was a banana skin, an accident waiting to happen.

Canvey Island might be two divisions lower but they lead Isthmian North, undefeated, with 33 points out of a possible 39 and one could only imagine, brimming with confidence.

The wind was so strong that it barely mattered which way you were kicking. Against the wind and goalkeepers were seeing the ball returning to them; with it, the deftest of passes just ran away.

Tonbridge dominated and Jonny Henly barely had a meaningful save to make but emerged as the hero with two saves of top quality, the first later described as one of the best ever seen in non-league.

You had to tip your hat to the hardy souls that took up their normal place behind the goal on the open terrace that carries a decent height for watching the game but also leaves you exposed to the worst of the gale. I was not so brave and took my place with an element of shelter.

Tonbridge showed their intention to get a grip of the game from the start and had efforts from Tom Beere, Sonny Miles and Joe Turner before Canvey managed to muddy the gloves of Henly after 25 minutes.

After 31 minutes, the visitors went desperately close as from a corner, Tommy Wood’s shot was cleared from the line by a defender on the far post, the ball fell to Turner on the edge of the box but his shot was wide.

Canvey were having great difficulty making any use of their advantage of the wind at their back with almost all of their passes over hit given the conditions.

Two minutes before the break, Tonbridge went the closest of the half when Wood’s shot looked like it was at least bound for the inside of the post but agonisingly rolled the other side.

Rain started to lash down in the second half to add to the impossible conditions and the wind continued to be the winner with the ball sailing over the bar and carried into the sea!

Tonbridge took the lead on 57 minutes when Craig Braham-Bennett crossed the ball into the box to Wood who laid it back to Turner whose 20 yard shot took a deflection enroute to the back of the net.

Braham-Bennett was needed for his defensive duties three minutes later clearing from the line before Tonbridge had the ball in the net a second time through Smith-Joseph only for it to be mysteriously ruled out for offside after the referee consulted the linesman.

Canvey, with now nothing to lose, threw bodies forward to rescue the game that would go straight to penalties should they find an equaliser and in the 89th minute they so nearly did. A cross from the left found Connor Hubble, who dummied a defender giving himself the space for a clear shooting opportunity 12 yards out. His shot was well struck but somehow Henly got across to push it away, it was a truly great save. In the bar after the game, a Canvey supporter said there wasn’t another player on the pitch that he would have wished the chance to fall to. Hubble didn’t miss, he was denied.

Henly was called into action again in time added as a shot from the right of the box looped towards the far post but Henly was there again to palm the ball to safety.

The banana skin was avoided, the elements denied but the day had one final frustration to throw at us as the bridge was closed for about 45 minutes for a three car crash. But, we were warm in the car with the knowledge that our name was in the hat for Monday’s draw.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 7 Sutton United Academy 0

Match 63/21/1927 - Wednesday, 24th November 2021 - National Academies League Cup

Tonbridge Angels Academy (1) 7 Tyrie 24 Hartley 65,72 Kent 78,82 Nicholls 87 Twist 89
Sutton United Academy (0) 0
Headcount: 14

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 32/3,506

Four goals in the last eight minutes, given the number of efforts on goal during the game, gave a fair reflection as Tonbridge Angels Academy cruised into the National Academies League Cup last 16, winning by 7-0.

Sutton United put up a stubborn resistance during a first half that was mainly one-way traffic but only produced a single goal for the Angels.

Tonbridge started the game on the front foot, had a goal disallowed for offside after five minutes, and saw efforts from Ben Hermitage, Ben Twist, Billy Kent and Cameron Wootton saved by the busy Sutton goalkeeper before they finally broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when a corner was headed on at the near post for skipper Joe Tyrie to convert at the far post.

A mixture of wasteful finishing and stout defending kept the Angels at bay, including a trio of attempts on goal after 38 minutes that were either denied by the goalkeeper or the woodwork.

Whilst a single goal lead is always vulnerable, with Sutton virtually pinned in their own half for long periods there was little threat on Nathan Carter’s goal.

Twenty second half minutes passed with a disallowed goal from Hermitage after the ball had struck the overhead wire and several chances going begging before Finn Hartley, on as a substitute, finished in the bottom corner after being sent clear by Kian Austin.

Kent struck a post prior to Hartley adding his second and the Angels third, taking a fine pass from fellow substitute Mason Nicholls before burying his shot into the same square footage of netting as his first.

This was the goal that broke the resolve of Sutton and the Academy ran riot in the closing minutes as heads dropped in opposition.

Billy Kent was rewarded for sheer persistence when his 20 yard shot whistled past the goalkeeper to make it 4-0 after 78 minutes and four minutes later he found the net again after being set up by Nicholls.

Kent reciprocated the assist to allow Nicholls to add goal number six from around the penalty spot and Ben Twist rounded off a fine performance from midfield with a shot from outside of the box.

There was still time for Kent to see his shot turned onto the crossbar by the keeper before the final whistle following which Tommy Parkinson reflected: “A dominant performance from start to finish with several players missing. Pleased to get another clean sheet and score seven goals to get through to the next round.”

Larkfield & New Hythe 1 Tunbridge Wells 2

Match 62/21/1926 - Tuesday, 23rd November 2021 - SCEFL Premier

Larkfield and New Hythe (0) 1 Beecroft (pen) 89
Tunbridge Wells (1) 2 Keyte 45 Gething (pen) 48
Attendance: 160

Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 28/3,474

Aaron Lee Wharton emerged as the hero, as with so many other times this season, as Tunbridge Wells edged past Larkfield and New Hythe in the SCEFL Challenge Cup.

On a bitterly cold evening, The Wells held on defiantly during the five minutes of added time after Larkfield had scored a last minute penalty.

Larkfield had launched a final 10 minutes assault after going 2-0 behind early in the second half through a Matt Gething penalty.

After a quiet opening, Wharton opened his catalogue of saves with a save with his feet after 13 minutes.

Unfortunately, much of this report won’t be naming the Larkfield players as the white numbers on a yellow shirt made them impossible to see once they got a few yards away.

One player always recognisable is Jake Beecroft and he saw his effort blocked before the Wells started to exercise a threat of their own with a Jordan Wells shot that cleared the crossbar and an effort from Johnny Phillips that found the side netting when a pass across the face of goal might have been the better option.

Wharton was back in action saving brilliantly from Josh Jackson twice in quick succession.

On the cusp of half-time, Tunbridge Wells almost took the lead when an effort from Wells struck the right hand post after being set up by Gething.

But they were not to be denied when the resultant corner was half-cleared to the edge of the box from where a well struck volley from Danny Keyte gave Larkfield’s goalkeeper, Scott Andrews no chance.

Tunbridge Wells went two goals to the good after three minutes of the second half when Connor Pring was brought down in the box for Gething to convert sending Andrews the wrong way.

Larkfield responded and forced the Wells onto the back foot for much of the second period in which Wharton excelled.

An incredible double save after 50 minutes signalled the start of his extraordinary performance but even he needed the help of a defender to clear from the line from a third effort.

A close range effort saved by the feet from Charlie Smith defied belief and a touch onto the bar and a line clearance were needed to preserve the lead.

Tunbridge Wells broke out on occasions and following an electric run from James Nurden, Phillips wastefully blazed over and a good moves involving Frankie Griffin and Nurden ended with Gething shooting over.

But the game returned to the Wharton show with the goalkeeper even getting the better of one of his own defenders as a deflection looked bound for the net.

An 89th minute penalty, given for dangerous play against Jack Hope, saw Beecroft finally beat ALW, something of an achievement as he has saved nine penalties this season!

As some disgruntled Larkfield supporters left the ground at the final whistle berating the referee for a couple of very optimistic penalty claims, the Wells supporters could only break into song “Oh, Aaron Lee Wharton”, a goalkeeper of immense talent for this level.

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Sutton Common Rovers U18 4

Match 61/21/1925 - Monday, 22nd November 2021 - Isthmian Youth

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 McCusker 84 Sutton Common Rovers (2) 4 Hamsted 24 Bradley (o.g.) 26 Wall 67 Moore 70
Attendance: 59

Admission: £4
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/3,446

Sutton Common Rovers showed their division-winning credentials in a first half of total dominance. Our Youth lads made a much better fist of the second half and battled hard to the very end but it was a case of holding up your hands and admitting they were beaten by a really good team, the best we’ve seen this season.

A mixture of Tonbridge resilience, couple of good saves from Matt Larkin and some wasteful finishing kept the game scoreless for 24 minutes but two goals in the space of two minutes gave SCR the lead that was more reflective of the game.

Although the defending at set pieces was an improvement on last week’s game at Maidstone, it was that vulnerability that cost the opening goal when a right-sided corner was met by a powerful header from SCR’s skipper Oliver Hamsted that gave Larkin no chance.

Two minutes later a low cross from the right was turned into his own net by Luca Bradley, under pressure at his near post.

Tonbridge did well to get to half-time with the scoreline remaining the same with Larkin saving from the dangerous Jonah Wall.

The second half started in much the same vein with Larkin saving again from Wall but the Angels wrested some of the momentum away from their visitors and Toby McKimm in the SCR goal was asked to make his first save from Ben Morgan.

Larkin produced a great save at his near post just past the hour but he was helpless after 67 minutes when the ball fell invitingly to Wall to finally win his personal contest with the Angels’ keeper.

As with the first half two goals came in quick succession and a good build up down the left ended with Bobby Moore having an easy close range finish.

It is great credit that the Angels lads heads never dropped and they were well worth their consolation goal, six minutes from time, when a well flighted free kick from 16-year-old George Rayner was headed home by Joe McCusker.

Dom Welsh was suitably fulsome in his praise of his opponents after the game commenting: “It was a tough evening against an outstanding side. Probably the best side we will play all season, credit to everything they did. Excellent in possession and just as good out of it. Our boys worked hard but fell short. But, it’s good experience for the future that we finished the game with eight first years and three under-16’s on the pitch.”

Pictures: Dave Couldridge

Tonbridge Angels 1 Chelmsford City 1

Match 60/21/1924 - Saturday, 21st November 2021 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Turner 23
Chelmsford City (0) 1 Jackson 61
Attendance: 686

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/3,408

It finally happened! A long cross from the right by Jamie Fielding, in the side for the suspended Craig Braham-Barrett, found the head of Joe Turner. We’ve waited a long time and the ball took an eternity to cross the line at the far post, but cross the line it did. Let’s put the numbers to rest, 27th minute at Billericay to the 23rd minute, five games later minus four minutes, 446 in total. It’s done, we can move on.

I don’t like labelling games in November with clubs in a similar lowly position as six pointers but from a general confidence point of view it wasn’t a game to lose and with the drought 1-1 was better than a 0-0.

Added to Braham-Barrett’s absence, Adam Lovatt and Tom Parkinson were both out injured so the bench was depleted with two forwards and the two kids.

Both teams had their spells in the game of ascendancy and, ultimately a draw was a fair result. Perhaps if it was a boxing match the judges might just have given it to Tonbridge, although the Chelmsford manager, Robbie Simpson, in his very fair appraisal of the game, might choose to differ.

Chelmsford’s goalkeeper, James Dillon, looked under pressure in the early minutes, firstly almost punching the ball into his own net after 18 minutes and then needing the goal line intervention of Michael Spillane from the resultant corner.

The opening goal for the Angels illustrated the end-to-end nature of the game with Chelmsford’s Cameron James rattled the crossbar before the Angels countered and took the lead with Turner’s goal.

The game went into a period of nothingness with Chelmsford having some degree of pressure but without testing Jonny Henly to any great degree.

Chelmsford dominated the early part of the second half but continuing to fail to exercise Henly but, just past the hour, they equalised. Freddie Hockey saw his shot blocked, likewise the follow-up attempt from Charlie Sheringham but the ball fell to ex-Gillingham hitman Simeon Jackson whose shot found the net via the inside of the left hand post.

After a difficult period following the goal, Tonbridge finished the match the stronger and forced six corners in the remaining time but, what has been a recent failing, none of them produced a moment of high anxiety for the City defence.

A point is a point and, even at this stage of the season, positives are taken from Billericay and Braintree defeats. Perhaps the tide has turned and we won’t need to be looking over our shoulders at such results.

Dover Christ Church 1 Hugh Christie 7

Match 59/21/1923 - Wednesday, 17th November 2021 - Kent Schools League Cup

Dover Christ Church (0) 1 62'
Hugh Christie (5) 7 Lazell 11,15 Fleming 26 Barden 38,78 de Cauwer 38 Devlin 64
Headcount: 20

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 114/3,370

The Academy’s Development squad progressed in the Kent Schools League Cup with a comfortable win at Dover Christ Church Academy.

They took some time to find their feet on a very sticky pitch that necessitated skipper Billy Robbins needing a quick change of boots but once the first goal had been scored, after 11 minutes, it was pretty much plain sailing.

Jack Lazell had the first chance of the game when after eight minutes he rounded the goalkeeper but forced wide he could only find the side netting. But, three minutes later, in a repeat act, this time he slotted home after going past the stranded goalkeeper.

Lazell added his second after a quarter of an hour when the ball dropped on the edge of the box and he made no mistake with a shot through the crowded penalty area.

Once the Angels noses were in front the first half became ridiculously one-sided. By half-time they had moved into a 5-0 lead and, in all honesty, it could and should have been double that.

After 26 minutes a left-sided corner found its way to the right hand side of the box from where Harry Fleming fired home.

A corner routine saw Isaac Barden finish from 10 yards and, after 38 minutes, a dreadful goal kick from the Christ Church goalkeeper landed at the feet of Arne de Cauwer who lobbed it back into the unguarded goal.

Dom Welsh’s team talk at half-time amounted to keeping concentration and maintaining the standards expected in the Academy.

To be fair, Christ Church did improve in the second half and found a competitive edge that had been completely missing in the first half and they were rewarded when a corner was converted with a header to make it 5-1 after 62 minutes.

Ryan Devlin made it 6-1 two minutes later and the scoring was completed after 78 minutes when Isaac Barden lobbed the goalkeeper.

It was a long journey down to Dover but at least the Angels lads returned with a quarter final place in the competition.

Maidstone United U18 5 Tonbridge Angels U18 1

Match 58/21/1922 - Tuesday, 16th November 2021 - Isthmian Youth League

Maidstone United (4) 5 Sait 13 Flisher 19,28,32 Terry 60
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Lambert 19
Attendance: 103

Admission: £2 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 19/3,256

A first half in which Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s failed to cope with the height and power of an impressive Maidstone front pairing left the Angels with far too much to do in the second half when they competed far better.

Maidstone were arguably the best side that the Angels have faced so far this season, but as manager Dom Welsh lamented, “you cannot be conceding three goals from corners at this level”.

Tonbridge actually didn’t start badly and had their share of the game before going behind on 13 minutes when a lobbed pass over the defender found Tylar Sait who fired home from 12 yards past Matt Larkin.

The Angels responded well to the set back and were level four minutes later. A shot from Harry London from outside the box was only parried by Stones’ keeper Hugo Webb into the path of Max Lambert who made no mistake from the rebound.

Tonbridge needed to retain their foothold in the game for a period of time but the failure to deal with another corner saw Jaiden Flisher stab the ball home just two minutes later.

The match was very open and chances for both sides came thick and fast. Larkin saved well before Max Cormack saw his effort cleared from the line with follow-up attempts from Rocky Burke and London being blocked.

But, on 27 minutes, Tonbridge’s vulnerability from corners was exposed again as Flisher scored with an unchallenged header.

A superb through ball saw Flisher clear to fire past Larkin for his hat-trick on 32 minutes.

The other half of the dangerous Maidstone strike partnership, John Openibo saw Larkin save well and also put a header over the bar.

The second half saw Rory Kavanagh taking his place in the centre of defence with Shea Brennan moving into midfield and to a certain extent it stemmed the tide, but Maidstone rattled the crossbar and Larkin was pressed into action for several good saves.

A first time pass, best of the night, of absolute quality (from a player that deserves a name check but I can’t) split the Tonbridge back line and Joseph Terry ran on to score the Stones fifth on the hour.

Tonbridge’s substitutions, Will Saunders and Zach Garcia, brought a bit of stability for the final half-hour and whilst Maidstone continued to create chances, Tonbridge made some of their own with Lambert seeing his effort saved and they deserve credit for the way they stuck to the task to the bitter end.

But as Dom Welsh admitted after the game, “it had been a bad day at the office and beaten by the much better side on the night.”

Welling United 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 57/21/1921 - Saturday, 13th November 2021 - National League South

Welling United (1) 1 Stevenson 23
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 767

Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 72/3,237

Sadly, it’s a broken record. Chance after chance, save after save and one piece of shabby defending and it’s another goalless, pointless Saturday for Tonbridge Angels.

The visitors have never won a league game against Welling at Park View Road and probably will never have a better chance as, despite their improvement under Peter Taylor, they were average at best.

Steve McKimm made two changes, Harry Hudson was rested to the bench and Joe Turner, how he was missed, was unavailable. Tom Parkinson returned after his midweek absence through injury and Doug Loft was restored to the starting line-up.

Tonbridge were on the front foot from the outset with Ricky Modeste to the fore and his sixth minute cross flashed across the face of goal but nobody was gambling and the chance went begging.

Next few minutes, Adam Lovatt’s shot deflected for a corner; Ibrahim Olutade’s header is straight at Welling goalkeeper, Jack Sims and Tom Beere shoots a free kick narrowly wide of the post. Chance after chance.

On 22 minutes, the ball was lost deep in Welling’s half and one punt into the left hand channel saw ex-Angels loanee, Bradley Stevenson clear to finish past Jonny Henly.

Welling had their best spell of the match following the goal and another ex-Tonbridge player, Kristian Campbell put a shot wide and a well timed tackle from JJ O’Sullivan saved the day.

The momentum for the visitors was restored with a Beere cross failing to find a striker in the right place and a Lovatt shot saved by Sims followed by a Modeste effort that goes over. Chance after chance.

The second half began with Henly brought into action but this was followed by a Parkinson header saved by Sims and a double attempt by Olutade that ended being deflected for a corner. Chance after chance.

By now McKimm has rolled the dice with his attackers with Tommy Wood replacing Aaron Smith-Joseph and after 63 minutes, Jake Hutchinson for Olutade.

68 minutes, Beere shot wide; Sonny Miles header from a corner into the hands of Sims. Chance after chance.

What Tonbridge needed was a lucky break and when Wood was manhandled to the ground in the penalty area, the appeals were loud and somewhat desperate, but the referee waved it away.

Corners were many but the time ebbed away and once more the Angels faithful trooped away disconsolately. There was no chorus of boos, no calls for heads on platters, but without doubt there is genuine concern. Tonbridge Angels supporters are in the main a realistic lot, they understand there is not a budget for an £800 a week striker and the clubs at the top of the table have these strikers anyway and won’t be releasing them anytime soon.

Steve McKimm’s Radio Kent interview was as usual honest and forthright. He said: “I’ve got to look at myself, I’ve got to look at the players and I’ve got to speak to the board and see what the best thing is for the club because this cannot continue.”

Abbey School 3 Hugh Christie 1

Match 56/21/1920 - Wednesday, 10th November 2021 - Kent Schools Academies Premier

Abbey (Dover Athletic) (1) 3 2,71,90
Hugh Christie (Tonbridge Angels) (0) 1 Barden 75
Headcount: 15

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 76/3,165

Any Academy trip to Abbey School to face Dover Athletic is a difficult task and so it proved for Tonbridge Angels Development squad who, in defeat, put in a resilient performance. A goal down in the opening two minutes could have been dispiriting but they recovered well and should have gone into the break on level terms had it not been for an excellent penalty save from the Dover goalkeeper.

The home side caught the Angels cold when they allowed a short corner routine to find its way through to the Dover captain to score from close range.

Dom Welsh’s team responded and Isaac Barden on two occasions tested the goalkeeper with first a header from a right wing cross and then narrowly missing with an effort that went wide of the post.

Tonbridge had a great chance to bring the score level after 19 minutes when following a corner the referee ruled that Barden had been pushed to the ground. The striker took the spot kick himself but the Dover keeper read his shot and saved well, low to his left.

Buoyed by the reprieve, Dover went on to dominate the rest of the half with the Angel’s goalkeeper Josh Watfa producing several saves including clawing the ball away from the top corner after the initial Dover shot had taken a wicked deflection.

The home side’s dominance continued into the early part of the second period and the Angel’s second half goalkeeper, Lewis Wilkins, made a superb double stop.

A great run from Harry Smith set up an opportunity for Henrique Motta who shot wide before Tonbridge enjoyed a major let off as Dover struck the post with the follow-up shot hitting the bar.

The lively Dover centre forward brought another good save from Wilkins before his far post header doubled their advantage after 71 minutes.

The Angels response was instant and after Joseph Moyadora had been denied by a smart save, Barden was brought down for a second penalty award which this time he buried sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Tonbridge pressed hard for an equaliser and Dover were even in need to resort to time wasting to preserve their lead as Smith and Barden brought saves but it was the home side that had the final say as their giant centre half bundled home a corner in time added.

A defeat, not unusual at Abbey School, but an encouraging performance.

Tonbridge Angels 0 Havant & Waterlooville 1

Match 55/21/1919 - Tuesday, 9th November 2021 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Havant & Waterlooville (1) 1 Roberts 34
Attendance: 585

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/3,089

Unbelievably frustrating!

We all know the feeling of frustration, but the Oxford Dictionary of the word defines: “the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something” or “the prevention of the progress, success, or fulfilment of something”. Both of which are the perfect summation of the feelings of management, supporters and, indeed, the players of Tonbridge Angels’ present inability to score a goal.

Three and three-quarter games; counting added times etc., the best part of 350 minutes have elapsed since Ricky Modeste’s top corner curler at Billericay found the net and the frustration of the failure to turn decent performances into points is rooted in this goal drought.

Steve McKimm has tried to effect change, but whatever the permutation of the forwards it has brought the same result, no goals. Responsibility doesn’t entirely lie with the forwards, of course and in the desperate final minutes assault on the Havant goal it was a outside of the box effort from Joe Turner that was narrowly wide and a Sonny Miles header that was turned goalwards by Tommy Wood only see it cleared from the line that prevented that “fulfilment”.

Havant and Waterlooville came to Longmead on the back of frustrating Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday for 72 minutes before a bad injury disrupted their resolve and eventually led to their defeat at The Valley.

In a normal set of circumstances, anything gained from a game against Havant has to be considered a success but with the visitors arriving with a weakened team and then losing two players in the first 20 minutes, opportunity knocked.

But Havant perfectly executed the ugly side of the game with all its dark arts. They were horrible, but really good at it.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side when a cross from JJ O’Sullivan eluded the onrushing Ibrahim Olutade by a matter of millimetres. On such small margins games are defined.

Havant were dangerous on the break and in the space of a minute from the 16th, they broke clear twice with Jonny Henly forced into fine saves from Abdulai Baggie and Scott Rendell.

On 25 minutes it was the turn of Will Mannion in the Havant goal to excel tipping over a lob from O’Sullivan.

The visitors went in front after 34 minutes when a poor touch in the centre circle from Harry Hudson allowed Baggie to send James Roberts clear and slot past Henly.

On the cusp of half-time a melee ensued in front of the Havant bench as O’Sullivan, who was already on a booking, made a tackle that incensed the Havant manager, Paul Doswell, who encroached onto the pitch to confront the Tonbridge defender. The referee showed the manager a red card as O’Sullivan went unpunished.

O’Sullivan was substituted during half-time as McKimm opted for safety in numbers.

After 20 second half minutes that had brought a chance apiece, Tonbridge changed their front two, bringing on Jake Hutchison and Tommy Wood and launched their assault on the Havant goal and in the final 15 minutes, Sonny Miles was thrown forward to bolster the attack.

With nine minutes remaining, Miles’ header at the far post was narrowly wide and from another corner three minutes later, his header back into the area was turned towards goal by Wood only to be cleared from the line by Joe Oastler.

As the game entered added time, Wood had another effort saved by Mannion and Joe Turner’s well struck shot whistled the wrong side the post.

It was all so frustrating, but it is goals that win matches and, at the present time, Tonbridge cannot buy one. It might be that a lucky penalty award or an own goal off a backside will be the spark for a change in fortune, we can but hope.

Braintree Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 54/21/1918 - Saturday, 6th November 2021 - National League South

Braintree Town (1) 1 Clements 20
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 309

Admission: £10 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 160/3,051

Some days are just not meant to be …

Before leaving home I got news that the Dartford Tunnel was at a standstill and a friend had been stationary for 30 minutes. However, by the time we reached there we relatively sailed through as we had spent our time sitting on the A21 before being diverted off.

An expected arrival time of 13:45 turned into 14:45, just in time, but harassed! I like to have an hour at a ground before the start of a match. I can talk to fellow supporters, even if it is moaning about the journey and I can find a viewing position that suits me. But when everything is rushed I find it takes a while to get the journey out of my head and full concentration on the game.

Tonbridge’s first half performance seemed to suffer similarly as they never got going and went into the break a goal down to bottom of the table Braintree Town.

Steve McKimm rested Doug Loft, who was carrying a slight injury and Tommy Wood to the bench with Tom Beere and Aaron Smith-Joseph returning to the starting eleven. Braintree fielded ex-Angels Tom Derry and Khale Da Costa who had arrived on loan from Dover on Friday.

To be fair, a howling wind made it difficult for the players but the first half was particularly low on quality.

Braintree went ahead after 20 minutes when a ball into the penalty area was knocked on for Kyran Clement to score at the second attempt after Jonny Henly had parried an initial shot.

Both sides huffed and puffed their way through the rest of the half with both goalkeeper’s making mostly routine saves but with Henly being slightly the busier.

A change in viewing in this rather run-down stadium brought some relief from the wind but I’m afraid didn’t bring a change in fortune or any great upsurge in the quality on show. A little later in the season would have seen this described as a relegation battle involving two poor teams.

There was more goalmouth action as the Angels desperately searched for an equaliser and Braintree responding with the odd counter attack but, in general, it was a lot more huff and puff.

On 66 minutes, one of those goalmouth scrambles should have brought an equaliser with the ball bobbing about just a yard from goal but nobody could get the vital touch to see it over the line.

On 84 minutes, Adam Lovatt had a shot that needed to be saved, albeit comfortably, but this constituted the Angels first shot on target.

The five minutes added time were the most exciting of the game but it was Braintree that went closest and held out for a vital three points that lifted them off the foot of the table.

It was a sense of relief to eventually pull out of the car park in the knowledge that, FA Trophy draw barring, we don’t have to make a return visit this season and the journey home being indicated as being a lot less fraught, which it was. In truth, I’ve had better Saturday’s!

Tonbridge Angels Academy 11 Ebbsfleet United Academy 0

Match 53/21/1917 - Wednesday, 3rd November 2021 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (5) 11 Wootton 2,13,83,89 Hermitage 10,41,75 Woodhouse 24 Twist 57 Saunders 66,73
Ebbsfleet United Academy (0) 0
Headcount: 17

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 28/2,891

Tonbridge Angels Academy were absolutely ruthless in their rout of Ebbsfleet United. Cameron Wootton with four goals and Ben Hermitage with a hat-trick ran riot as their beleaguered opponents spent 90 minutes chasing shadows.

The sign of a very long afternoon were ominous for Ebbsfleet when the Angels went ahead after two minutes with a cross from Hermitage converted at the near post by Wootton.

Ieuan Ferris, in the Ebbsfleet goal, was further pressed into action two minutes later saving well from Kian Austin before the rebound was shot across the face of the goal by Ben Twist striking the far post. Ferris single-handedly went on to save his colleagues an even more embarrassing score line.

But despite his efforts, two goals in three minutes quickly put the game almost out of reach in the opening quarter-hour. After 10 minutes a corner from Twist was turned in by Hermitage and three minutes later, Shea Brennan sent Josh McArthur clear down the right and his cross was duly converted by Wootton.

Ferris continued to make saves but it was his error that allowed a 20 yard free kick from Luca Woodhouse to slip through his grasp for the Angels fourth.

Ebbsfleet steadied the ship for a while and Tommy Buchanan had a shot that was wide, but moments before the break another Woodhouse free kick found Hermitage who finished clinically.

Into the second half and the one-way assault on the Ebbsfleet goal continued unabated. After 57 minutes Hermitage stood up a cross to the far post for Twist to score with ease and make it 6-0.

There was no mercy shown by the Angels and their relentless moving of the ball was a delight that left the Ebbsfleet defenders chasing shadows.

After 66 minutes substitute Will Saunders linked with Twist who returned the ball before being clattered by the advancing goalkeeper for Saunders to make it seven.

Hermitage achieved his third assist of the game with a cross for Saunders to add his second and, three minutes later, completed his hat-trick converting a fine cross from Leo Vowles.

Double figures was totalled when Wootton was afforded time and space inside the penalty area to turn and complete his hat-trick.

Saunders was denied his hat-trick by the crossbar but Wootton added his fourth and the Angels eleventh when he finished from little more than a yard after a right-sided cross from Vowles.

Manager Tommy Parkinson acknowledged the ruthlessness of his side whilst adding that he was most pleased with the work rate and application from start to finish.

Tonbridge Angels U18 0 Chatham Town U18 2

Match 52/21/1916 - Monday, 1st November 2021 - Isthmian Youth

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 0
Chatham Town U18 (0) 2 Tambe 73 Bain 90 (pen)
Attendance: 57

Admission: £4
Programme: None
Mileage: 40/2,863

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s slipped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against a previously winless Chatham Town on Monday evening at Longmead Stadium.

A failure to take a multitude of chances left them vulnerable to a counter attacking unit that capitalised with two second half goals; the first controversially given after the goalscorer looked clearly offside and an injury time penalty that also saw Joe McCusker sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

The first half was pretty much one-way traffic with the chances almost too many to mention. Many failed to find the target but the Chats goalkeeper, Bobby Crabb, excelled to save from Harry London, Will Saunders and George Theis.

On 38 minutes, Chatham signalled their danger on the break and Matt Larkin was pressed into action with a good save at his near post.

On the cusp of the break a cross from the right by Luca Bradley saw Saunders in front of goal but he failed to get a clean contact with the ball.

Chatham at no time during the evening looked like a team without a point on the board so far this season. They defended bravely during the first period and in the second carried much more of a threat going forward.

Tonbridge continued to make and waste chances, the best falling to Theis but his shot was directly at Crabb.

After 68 minutes, Chatham issued their first real warning when a shot from Jasper Greening struck the bar.

The visitors were now enjoying a period on the front foot with Larkin needing to touch a shot over the bar.

But, after 73 minutes, a through ball found Biljaris Tambe clean though to finish clinically. Vehement claims for offside fell on deaf ears from the officials.

Tonbridge pressed hard for an equaliser but it really wasn’t their night in front of goal and in time added the game was put to bed when McCusker brought down an attacker to concede a penalty and also see a red card.

Lewis Bain duly converted the spot kick to bring the curtain down in a disappointing evening for the Angels.