Braintree Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 16/22/2023 - Saturday, 27th August 2022 - National League South

Braintree Town (2) 2 Amantchi 12 Reynolds 45
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 436

Admission: Pass
Programme: None
Mileage: 166/1,543

For this post only, I could rename this blog, That’ll Be The Day I’d Rather Forget.

Braintree Town is one of the dates on the calendar that is not awaited with any relish. A ground that has seemingly seen little change over the years and very little upkeep whilst their team is usually combative and in keeping with the surroundings, not very pleasing on the eye.

A Bank Holiday weekend, perhaps Tonbridge supporters were of the same thinking with a smaller than usual following in, by National League South standards, a pitifully small attendance.

The day could not have gotten off to a worse start with the news that a dear old friend, and a great servant to Tonbridge Angels, Trevor Arnold had passed away. Trevor had been unwell for some time and had not been able to visit for home matches where his skilful filming and editing had created AngelsTV and earned him the affectionate title of Spielberg. Rest in Peace, dear Trev.

As usual, a trip into Essex entails negotiation of the Dartford Tunnel and the holiday traffic brought a half-hour delay, enhancing the misgivings that this day is only going to go from bad to worse.

Even the satnav doesn’t want to find Cressing Road, as it stops hopelessly short. “You have reached your destination”, I don’t think so Doris, and navigation from the back seat was needed to cover the last half-mile.

Manager Jay Saunders has brought in another young Charlton loanee, Jeremy Santos, who started from the bench with the changes from the Hampton defeat being Ben Swift’s return to the starting line-up and Louis Collins reverting to the bench.

The first half, in bright, very warm sunshine, was possession and territorially that of the Angels but somehow they conspired to enter the break two goals down.

The game was to take on a stop-start nature and an injury to the home skipper, John White, in the first minute set the template as a lengthy stoppage ensued.

Braintree went ahead after 12 minutes with a really well executed lob on the angle from about 25 yards from Levi Amantchi that caught Jonny Henly off his line.

Tonbridge responded to the set back and through the half the corner count rose without the goalkeeper, Jack Sims, having a serious save to make until the 34th minute when a double attempt from Swift saw his first effort blocked and the follow-up well saved.

Joe Turner put a good heading opportunity wide five minutes later followed by another chance for Swift on the cusp of the break.

In the added time, poor defending allowed a single pass inside the full back for Lamar Reynolds to score, on his debut following his move from Concord Rangers.

Certainly, a two goal lead at the break hugely flattered Braintree but the Angels had only themselves to blame.

The opening quarter hour of the second period came and went much as the first. Tonbridge dominating; not creating anything of note and the Braintree physio earning her corn as much as any of her “patients”.

Saunders shook things up on the hour with the introduction of Santos and Collins for the largely ineffective Maja and Walters and within a minute, Lewis Gard struck the post following the umpteenth corner. Alarm bells rang loudly, if they hadn’t been ringing before that this was a day not to be.

Henly made a fine double save to keep his side in the game, but the task became mountainous after 68 minutes when Tommie Fagg was sent off for “violent conduct”. The description itself is a joke, two players wrestled each other to the ground, and the referee interprets that one is more guilty than the other. Two yellows at best, if it has to be a red, two reds but one was farcical.

In fairness, the direction of the game didn’t change with Santos, in particular, showing glimpses of what could be an exciting month’s loan.

The game went to 10-aside on 80 minutes when Amantchi saw a straight red after an aerial challenge that, once again, looked a yellow at best.

TQ Addy entered the fray and as the game entered into seven minutes of time added, he missed a gilt-edged chance at the far post with an open goal gaping.

The only positive that can be taken is that barring a unwanted cup draw we won’t have to visit again for another 12 months at least.

Maidstone United U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 15/22/2022 - Tuesday, 23rd August 2022 - Isthmian League Youth

Maidstone United U18 (0) 1 Gavin 74
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 McLeod 9,48
Attendance: 85

Admission: £2 Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 20/1,377

The Angels Isthmian Youth League side got off to a winning start at the Gallagher thanks to a brace from Fin McLeod and a stunning penalty save from Matt Larkin.

The duo will take the headlines, but this was a magnificent performance from Dominic Welsh’s team who, after controlling the game for an hour, came under immense pressure in the last 20 minutes as Maidstone fought to salvage something from the game.

The visitors took a ninth lead when Rocky Burke sent in a cross to the far post that was met with a header from McLeod that looped over the Maidstone goalkeeper, Tom Marshall.

Tonbridge created the better of the first half chances with Max Lambert steering a header wide and just failing to get a touch as he slid in to meet a teasing Vowles cross.

The home side had their moments with a shot that went into the side netting and Larkin saving from the livewire Jack Vine.

Tonbridge doubled their lead after just three minutes with a well worked goal that saw Lambert slipping a pass to McLeod to finish past the advancing Marshall.

The game became a backs to the wall effort for the Angels from an hour in after Lambert had been denied by a last ditch tackle.

After 62 minutes, Larkin produced a brilliant save turning away a shot to his left. But, from the resultant corner, the referee adjudged that there was a push and awarded the Stones a penalty. The Maidstone skipper, Joe Terry’s shot was well struck but Larkin read it correctly to make a stunning save.

Maidstone threw everything into the last 20 minutes but dogged Angels defending plus some wild shooting saw them survive until three minutes from time when a corner saw a header from Barney Richard come back from the crossbar with Tyler Jackson-Hunt scoring with a header from the rebound.

A healthy contingent of Angels supporters including a whole row of the Larkin family breathed a sigh of relief as a final header was safely gathered by Matt to herald the final whistle.

A delighted Dom Welsh said after the match: “We asked for grit, desire and determination and got it. It was a fantastic performance from start to finish. Backs against the wall and clinical in transitions, full credit to the boys putting the plan into perfect practice! They stood up and became men tonight.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough 4

Match 14/22/2021 - Saturday, 20th August 2022 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Gavin 74
Hampton & Richmond Borough (3) 4 Shokunbi 5,34 Wood 38 Barzey 90
Attendance: 1,053

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 40/1,357

It took just four minutes for Ade Shokunbi to prick the Tonbridge Angels balloon and by the 38th minute, with an inevitable goal from the returning Tommy Wood, the balloon was totally deflated and being trampled into the pristine 3G surface.

Off the pitch the day was going to plan. Over 1,000 people had filed through the turnstiles; there were pies to the newly rebranded Pie Shack; the bars, three of them. were doing brisk business; even the weather was playing ball with a pleasant, warm but not overly hot afternoon. At 2.45 pm, Michael Canham declared the pitch open as Poppy Bass, the daughter of his friend, the late Richard Bass, cut the ribbon between the new dugouts bearing his name.

A moment of respectful applause was held for three long-standing supporters, Allan Watson, Tracey Fry and David Arrowsmith who have passed away since the last time a National League South game was held in the stadium and then, with a blast of referee George Laflin’s whistle the game was underway and, unfortunately, it proceeded to earn the title of After The Lord Mayor’s Show.

Who knows why. Nobody who would have seen any, let alone all, of the three performances on the road that had yielded seven points, would have seen this coming. Did the occasion get to them, possibly. A more likely reason is that the fitting of square pegs in round holes due to injuries finally caught up with them.

After three minutes the visitors, Hampton and Richmond Borough, forced the first corner of the game which resulted in the ball falling invitingly to Shokunbi with time and space to poke the ball home.

A half-hour of misplaced passes; very little goal action as the Angels, in particular, seemed to perform as a group of strangers on an alien surface. So it came as no surprise when, after 34 minutes, a ball lost in midfield by Manny Maja was played into the path of Shokunbi who was left with a straightforward finish past a bemused Jonny Henly.

Two very quickly became three when a misplaced header saw Shokunbi send Wood clear to slot home with ease before respectfully refusing to celebrate.

Maja was withdrawn during the half-time break to be replaced by Ben Swift, thus allowing Tommy Fagg to move into midfield, two round pegs back in round holes.

Tonbridge made a much better fist of the second period but Hampton had done enough and did not need to do anything other than contain their hosts.

Fagg was central to much of the action although his two efforts cleared the bar.

TQ Addy replaced Tushaun Walters and he added some impetus to the attack but the visiting goalkeeper, Alan Julian failed to be seriously tested until the 74th minute when a surging channel run from Louis Collins ended with a cross that was converted by Dylan Gavin, who was signed on Thursday on loan from Charlton Athletic.

Could it be that a stirring comeback to mark this momentous day was on cards, sadly the answer was to be in the negative. As bodies were thrown forward, the Angels were getting caught on the break and the second of these, in the final minute of regular time ended with a tap-in for substitute Brandon Barzey.

It was disappointing to hear the final whistle greeted with a few boos. Any one of those supporters would have taken seven points from four games, it was just a shame that one of those away wins couldn’t be swapped for a home win.

Dover Athletic 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 13/22/2020 - Tuesday, 16th August 2022 - National League South

Dover Athletic (1) 1 Higgs 7
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Walters
Attendance: 773

Admission: £14
Programme: None
Mileage: 78/1,317

It is a footballing cliche that nothing is won in August (number 22 in fact) but with Tonbridge Angels equal third (I’m not having any of this fourth on alphabetical order nonsense) and that, their highest-ever position in National League South, why not celebrate the moment?

Three successive away games before their return to the now hallowed 3G on Saturday has yielded seven points when most, if not all, would have bitten hands off for four.

This win at Dover Athletic, the first since David Ijaha’s 90th minute winner on New Year’s Day 2013 was satisfying on so many levels. The Crabble club were inhospitable hosts which included making the visiting chairman, Dave Netherstreet, pay on the gate to some pretty rough house tactics on the pitch that led to five bookings for the home side and (cliche 28) handbags at full time. Even the after match interviews ended up in darkness as a jobsworth steward ordered the floodlights to be turned off.

After the sweltering heat of Saturday, a Tuesday evening on the East Kent coast with a balmy 24degC brought to a halt the water breaks although several hefty challenges brought lengthy medical attention that served the same purpose.

Jay Saunders shuffled his pack after Saturday’s toils at Saharan Slough with Louis Collins, Manny Maja and Tushaun Walters coming into the side with Femi Akinwande and TQ Addy dropping to the bench whilst Tommy Parkinson was on crutches and in a protective boot following his injury at Slough.

Dover went in front after seven minutes with a stunning strike from Jordan Higgs from about 30 yards that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar past a helpless Jonny Henly.

James Taylor added to the Angels’ worryingly lengthening injury list when he limped out of the action after 11 minutes. All of sudden, what looked a top heavy midfield looks a little threadbare.

On 19 minutes, a foul on Jamie Fielding brought Dover’s first yellow card and a free kick on the right from which Walters curled a shot into the far corner with the Dover keeper, Sandford, stranded. After the game, Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler called it a fluke. No way. I was looking straight down the barrel and once the right hand member of a two man wall peeled off, there was a clear sight of goal and Walters shape as he took the free kick suggested he took aim for exactly where it finished.

There was more concern for the Tonbridge bench as Joe Turner went down injured on the half-hour mark and although he continued he looked distinctly uncomfortable.

In terms of half-chances, both sides had their moments but it should have been the Angels that went into the break in front when Mason Saunders-Henry put a clear headed opportunity over the bar from Craig Braham-Barrett’s cross.

Into the second half, it was the home side that carved out the early chances but it was Tonbridge that got their noses in front after 56 minutes when a ball forward saw Collins outsprint Dover’s backline to touch the ball past the goalkeeper who brought him down for a penalty award. Turner, now moving easier, powered his penalty past Sandford who had guessed correctly.

As would be expected, Dover threw everything forward to salvage the game but the Tonbridge back line, with makeshift central defender Tommie Fagg, heading just about every ball crossed into the danger area, was holding firm. But, with seven minutes remaining, it took a stupendous save from Henly to touch over the bar a wonderful piece of improvisation from Alfie Pavey who produced a perfect bicycle kick.

Akinwande might have spared the Angels supporters fingernails when he steered his shot agonisingly wide after being sent clear with only Sandford to beat.

A late, high malacious challenge from Pavey on Collins, that should have brought more than a yellow card, brought a melee that spilt over at the final whistle as Dover’s frustration boiled over.

And so to the big homecoming on Saturday and the green, green plastic of home.

Tonbridge Angels U18 4 Raynes Park Vale U18 2

Match 12/22/2019 - Monday, 15th August 2022 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 4 Vowles 13 Trialist 53,71 Ali 90+2
Raynes Park Vale U18 (2) 2 38, 41
Headcount: 24

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/1,239

Slough Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 11/22/2018 - Saturday, 13th August 2022 - National League South

Slough Town (0) 1 Benyon 57
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Turner (pen) 64
Attendance: 467

Admission: Pass
Programme: Not purchased
Mileage: 152/1,201

Departing home with temperatures already in excess of 30degC and heading for the forecasted hottest place on earth, slight exaggeration, Slough, to watch 22 men kick around at ball from 3 o’clock when the Mercury will reach 100degF in old money. Is this actually insane?

I remember a 1970’s film (I’m no movie buff), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They and for these footballers it seems eerily appropriate.

Slough's Arbour Park is a modern ground, 3G, large main stand but what it doesn’t have in abundance is shade. The covered ends of the ground have no depth which left one end in direct sunlight and was avoided with a seat in the main stand during the first half. A handful of spectators were brave enough to sit in the stand opposite which must have been roasting.

The referee took the commonsense decision to have two water breaks per half and an unfortunate injury to Tonbridge’s Tom Parkinson effectively added a third one.

During the first half news filtered through of an abandonment at Chippenham after a player collapsed during the game. The reason is not clear but if it was heat related then surely questions need be asked of the justification of playing in such extreme conditions.

Thankfully, injuries apart, the game passed off without incident but just spectating was thoroughly uncomfortable and the players of both sides should take great credit in producing a decent game.

A training injury for Doug Loft brought one change from last week’s winning start at Weymouth with Tommie Fagg coming into the side. Fagg’s central midfield role became that of a central defender after Parkinson’s injury on 21 minutes.

Slough just about edged the first half that was blessed with very few chances with a half chance for Femi Akinwande and at the other end Fagg did well to clear from in front of the goal line.

After an opening 10 minutes in which the Angels carved out several chances it was Slough that took the lead with the simplest of goals. George Wells crossed from the left and Elliott Benyon had time and space to steer a header past Jonny Henly after 56 minutes.

The lead was to last just six minutes when Joe Turner cut in from the left only to be downed just inside the box. Turner cooly sent Jonathan North the wrong way to level the score.

Tonbridge, with Craig Braham-Barrett wreaking havoc down the left, were the team most likely to win the game in the closing minutes but, overall, a draw was a fair result. The only result that mattered though was that everybody, on and off the pitch, came through unscathed. You, have to say though, that playing this match and others in the areas of extreme heat, was utter madness.

Staplehurst Monarchs 1 Bridon Ropes 3

Match 10/22/2017 - Saturday, 6th August 2022 - SCEFL Division 1

Staplehurst Monarchs (0) 1 Large 58
Bridon Ropes (2) 3 Kirby 37 Juniper 39,61
Attendance: 96

Admission: £4 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 1/1,049

No matter how irritated or frustrated I might get about personal circumstances, I do have a sense of family values that I adhere too and these ultimately have to take a level of importance above football and so it was that Weymouth was a step too far for Tonbridge’s opening league game and Staplehurst Monarchs became my couple of hours of light relief. These days I’m so lucky to have the Monarchs just 10 minutes walk from my door offering Step 6 football.

It was another hot day and that walk was slightly laboured in the heat before reaching, alongside every other patch of grass in the south-east of England, a very parched Jubilee Field. A soon to be enforced hose pipe ban is going to make matters even worse for beleaguered gardeners and groundsmen.

The Monarchs have made the simple, but welcome, addition of a white board listing the teams, so no need for the guessing game of who’s who.

Twitter was my lifeline from Weymouth and, try as I might, it was a constant source of distraction from the game in front of me.

I sought refuge from the sun to find some shade under the small covered enclosure alongside the seated stand that had most of its seats occupied as the majority of the attendance of just short of a hundred similarly sort respite from the sun.

Having devoured the available information from Dorset, time to focus on a Monarchs side that has been assembled under new management with a younger look although the evergreen Pete West still led the line.

Bridon Ropes provided the opposition and it quickly became apparent that the concrete hard nature of the pitch was going to prove difficult for both sides.

An early exchange of corners brought no reward but the ping of my phone, that needed turning to silent as people around me were reaching for theirs, brought joy as Tonbridge had taken an early lead.

The Ropes had the best opportunity so far after 11 minutes when Steve Lawrence needed to be at his best when first saving from George Luck and then managing to smother the follow-up effort from Bradley Hoffman.

Bridon created another chance before the home side had their best opportunities with the visiting keeper, Alex Jones, saving low from Omar El Mantawy on 26minutes; Kian Garlinge seeing his header cleared from the line and West spurning a great chance after being sent clear by El Mantawy.

The now silent phone brought further joy from Dorset with the news of a Sonny Miles cracker that I would have walked 500 miles for, well I would have driven the 175!

Staplehurst were still making the chances but it was Bridon Ropes that took the lead and then doubled it within two minutes. A snap shot from 20 yards by Jack Kirby found the far corner and Max Juniper’s shot from a similar distance after 39 minutes beat Lawrence at his near post to the keeper's obvious disappointment.

Into the second period and a couple of Staplehurst substitutions reinvigorated the side and they were back in the game after 58 minutes when a shot from substitute Caine Smith came back from the underside of the bar for Bradley Large to poke home the rebound.

Hopes for a recovery from the Monarchs were quickly dispelled as great work from Gibson Perkin-Donson gave Juniper his second goal of the game.

By now, nervous refreshing of Twitter was happening as Weymouth had reduced the deficit and, in front of me, Bridon Ropes were now controlling the game with the substitute Perkin-Donson proving a handful.

The heat was taking its toll on the game and both sides had utilised their full complement of substitutions before the referee contributed to the last action of the game when he got in the way of the ball and the resultant drop ball ended with Bridon’s Aaron Reber seeing his effort cleared from the line after Lawrence had parried his initial effort.

Probably to the bemusement of people around me, a third goal for Tonbridge brought a punch to the air during a quite moment in the match 175 miles away, so despite the disappointment of seeing my home town team lose, it was a happy man walking home!