Tonbridge Angels 1 Maidstone United 1

Match 64/23/2187 - Tuesday, 26th December 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Higgs 90+4
Maidstone United (0) 1 Rush 57
Attendance: 2,806
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,654
Weather: 12degC, dry

An incredible Jordan Higgs strike in the last minute of time added brought a euphoric response from the vast majority of the record Longmead crowd of 2,806 as the Angels salvaged a point from their A26 neighbours, Maidstone United.

In order to accommodate the attendance, almost 400 in excess of the previous high of the 2011 play-off game against Lowestoft Town, the kick-off needed delaying for 15 minutes.

Jay Saunders, who was given a warm welcome from the travelling Stones support, made one enforced change from the side that took a point at Taunton, with skipper Scott Wagstaff failing to regain full fitness following a knock on Saturday.

The Boxing Day crowd, full of noise and anticipation at the outset, became subdued during a first half in which the sides cancelled each other out, although Maidstone held a greater share of possession, forcing three corners in the opening minutes and eight before the break.

The first incursion into Maidstone territory came on 12 minutes when Mo Dabre flashed a cross but Jordan Greenidge was unable to rise high enough to meet it.

Despite having the majority of the ball, the visitors were not really troubling the Angels back line but the closest either side came to scoring came on the half-hour when a long range strike from the visitors’ George Fowler was narrowly wide.

On 35 minutes, Maidstone’s goalkeeper, Lucas Covolan, was asked to make his first save, turning away a Greenidge shot at his near post.

That brought down the curtain on what had been a largely disappointing first period from both sides.

Maidstone opened the scoring on 57 minutes when Harry Kyprianou got free down the left hand side before driving a cross at the far post that was met and bundled home by one-time Angels loanee, Matt Rush.

On 64 minutes, Mo Dabre put a Jernade Meade cross just over the bar and on to the roof of net as the Angels searched for an equaliser as the visitors put. numbers behind the ball to protect their lead.

The clock was ticking down as Sean Shields and Tariq Hinds saw efforts blocked by weight of numbers.

As the board was raised showing four additional minutes, Lewis Gard had a long range effort comfortably fielded by Covolan and when the Angels won a corner on the right, goalkeeper Jonny Henly was sent forward in desperate last effort.

The corner was firstly headed clear to the edge of the box to Hinds who headed it forward once more for another headed clearance that fell to Higgs on the left hand side of the 18 yard box. His beautifully struck volley flew into top corner with Covolan grasping a thin air.

The celebrations were brought to a halt in front of the visitor’s technical area and the melee that followed brought a flurry of yellow cards and a red card for a member of the Maidstone contingent.

Jay Saunders said after the game: “Obviously that late in the game, you take a point all day long, and that strike was probably worth the admission money alone. It wasn’t a great spectacle, a typical local derby and we are a little disappointed that with the crowd we didn’t give a proper account of ourselves.”

Tunbridge Wells 2 Corinthian 3

Match 63/23/2186 - Saturday, 23rd December 2023 - SCEFL Premier

Tunbridge Wells (1) 2 McCreadie 9,85
Corinthian (2) 3 Fitzgerald 21 Housego (pen) 40 Salim 62
Attendance: 335
Admission: £5 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,616
Weather: 12degC, dry

A first competitive visit to Culverden Stadium this season served to understand why Tunbridge Wells are marooned in mid-table. After taking an early lead through a Trevor McCreadie header at the back post, they were for the most part, second best to decent Corinthian side.

Corinthian equalised from a near post header from a corner and took the lead before the break when, it appeared a hand ball had stopped a goalbound effort.

A second half goal for the visitors seemed to have sewn up the points but McCreadie pulled one back with five minutes remaining set up the opportunity for a grandstand finish that didn't really materialise.

Tonbridge Angels 4 Dartford 0

Match 62/23/2185 - Saturday, 16th December 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 4 Greenidge 22,77 Gard 25 Dabre 33
Dartford (0) 0
Attendance: 1,237
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,578
Weather: 10degC, dry

Tonbridge Angels produced a pre-Christmas Cracker of a performance for their supporters to demolish near-neighbours Dartford with a first half display that swept their visitors aside.

Jay Saunders was able to recall Sean Shields to the side following his absence with a virus for the trip to Torquay United with Francis Mampolo dropping to the bench.

Mercifully dry, if a little cold, Tonbridge gave due warning to the Darts, for many years a bogey side of the Angels, in the opening minutes of their second clash of the season. After five minutes, Jernade Meade fired over the bar and a minute later Sean Shields' effort escaped the right post, followed by a Jordan Greenidge shot that wasn’t too far wide.

After 16 minutes, Mo Dabre and Scott Wagstaff combined to create another chance, with the skipper delivering a cross that Greenidge steered onto the outside of the post.

  The goal that the Angels had threatened, and thoroughly deserved, arrived on 22 minutes when Greenidge met a Shields left-sided corner at the near post to turn the ball home to the delight of the Angels support behind the goal.

Three minutes later those fans were in absolute dreamland when the Angels doubled their advantage with a superb goal on the break. As a Dartford attack was broken down, the ball was played out to Shields who made ground before sending Dabre clear to cross into the box to Lewis Gard who withstood the challenge of a defender to slot past the advancing Darts goalkeeper, Ryan Sandford.

Dream time for the Angels; nightmares for the visitors as the home side cruised into a three goal lead on 33 minutes. Dabre who had already been heavily involved with his energy and workrate, added his name to the scoresheet when he met a Wagstaff cross to score from the edge of the six yard box.

Before the break, Jamie Fielding took a blow to the face which saw him on his way to hospital being replaced by Tom Parkinson. The referee, Lisa Benn, only reached for a yellow card despite what appeared a raised elbow from Harvey Bradbury who had been warned for a similar offence earlier in the half on Jordan Higgs.

A fourth goal would surely have put the game to bed and this very nearly came after 37 minutes when a shot, heavily deflected, from Tariq Hinds was brilliantly turned aside by Sandford.

Dartford made a double substitution at the break in an attempt to reinvigorate their performance, but despite a slight increase in possession, Tonbridge kept them at an arm’s length with relative comfort with Tyrell Miller-Rodney’s effort into the side netting their only real opportunity.

Thirteen minutes remained when Wagstaff stood up a cross from the right to the far post for Greenidge to nod home and wrap up a fine afternoon’s entertainment for the Angels support.

The win will give the Angels confidence going into the hectic Christmas period with a trip to Somerset and Taunton Town next Saturday before the double header with local rivals Maidstone United.

Tonbridge Angels U18 4 Chatham Town U18 0

Match 61/23/2184 - Monday, 11th December 2023 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 4 Waring 33,49 Puffette 39 Larkin 68
Chatham Town (0) 0
Attendance: 44
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,540
Weather: 4degC, at least it was dry

Dom Welsh’s Under-18’s produced their most complete performance of the season to demolish Chatham Town.

Welsh hailed his team after the game replying to the observation that they are really starting to look a team, working hard for each other, not allowing complacency to set in just because you’re winning 4-0. He said: “I think that’s the biggest thing this season. It’s a TEAM. On the pitch and off the pitch, which adds 10% to our game. We are really enjoying it. Standards are high and results keep coming.”

The results are certainly coming, five unbeaten; just one defeat in 11 and looking forward to a League Cup Quarter Final in the new year. There’s a lot to like about this team.

The first 15 minutes gave every indication that the game would be tight and keenly fought with neither side having an opportunity. But with Felix Waring pulling the strings in midfield, the Angels began to dominate with Cameron Honarvar going close on a couple of occasions.

It was still past the half-hour mark before the Angels finally made a breakthrough with a goal straight off the training ground. A corner from the right saw the usual assembly of attackers and defenders at the far post for the expectant cross from Reuben Etherington, instead the ball was played short to Waring who stole in at the near post to fire home. “It was worked on in training last week, all very well worked”, said Welsh.

A second goal before the break also came from a training ground corner, that was flicked on by Ben Martin-Coward for skipper Will Puffette to head home from close range,

A fast start to the second half saw Martin-Coward shoot wide before a shot from Etherington saw the ball rebound from the goalkeeper for Waring to fire home.

In recent weeks we have reported on the heroics of Toby Edwards in the Angels goal, but he was largely unemployed as his defenders dealt with a lightweight Chatham front line.

On the hour, substitute Fin McLeod struck a post and, a couple of minutes later, was denied by a last ditch challenge from Chatham’s Riley Ingram, who was doing his best to stem the tide.

The game was put to bed on 68 minutes when a poor clearance from the goalkeeper allowed Adam Larkin to finish well into the bottom corner.

Waring was denied his hat trick in the 87th minute when the Chats keeper, Liam Sheriff, did well to touch a 20 yards shot onto the crossbar.

Dom Welsh reflected: “it was another excellent performance tonight with two outstanding periods either side of the break. A clean sheet is very pleasing and it is satisfying to see the progress being made by the likes of Sam Gerard and Rory Kavanagh since they have become regulars in the team."

Whilst Cray Valley and Sutton Common sit behind Welling United and the Angels with several games in hand, next week sees the top two go head-to-head to see who goes into the Christmas break as the top of the table team.

Ide Hill 3 Kent United 3

Match 60/23/2183 - Saturday, 9th December 2023 - Kent County League Premier

Ide Hill (0) 3
Kent United (0) 3
Headount: 44
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/4,502
Played at Tonbridge Angels
Weather: 14degC, windy, many postponements on grass elswhere

Crazy game that saw Kent United's goalkeeper injured and taken to hospital in the first half; Ide Hill's goalkeeper sin binned; a Kent United player sin binned for asking where to take a free kick and Ide Hill recover from 3-0 down to equalise with the last meaningful kick of the match.

Corinthian U18 3 Tonbridge Angels U18 4

Match 59/23/2182 - Monday, 4th December 2023 - Isthmian Youth League

Corinthian U18 (1) 3 Taylor 40,87 Gerard (o.g.) 71
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 4 Honarvar 7 McLeod 39 Waring 49 Wallace 79
Attendance: 34
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 60/4,464
Weather: 6degC, damp and cold

Tonbridge Angels U18’s achieved a morale-boosting win against a Corinthian side that they could potentially meet in the Isthmian Youth League Cup Quarter Finals.

The weather had caused some concern about the fitness of the back pitch at Gay Dawn Farm, but it was in great condition and perfectly playable.

The two sides had fought out a very competitive 1-1 draw at Longmead Stadium just a fortnight ago so another tight match was expected and it didn’t disappoint.

Both sides had an opportunity to open the scoring before the Angels did so in the seventh minute when a free kick from the left taken by Reuben Etherington was allowed to carry to the far post from where Cameron Honarvar drifted in to convert with a good finish.

The game, officiated by an all-female team, got mired in a midfield battle for about 20 minutes with niggly fouls breaking up the play and perhaps needing the referee to step in a little earlier than the 30th minute to issue the first yellow card.

The game opened up again after the half-hour and Corinthian twice in a matter of moments tested the Angels goalkeeper, Toby Edwards, who responded with good saves.

In the 39th minute the Angels doubled their advantage when the quick-thinking Etherington slid a free kick through for Fin McLeod to run clear and score with a well struck shot.

Unfortunately, the Angels developed a vulnerability from corners and set pieces and, just a minute later, a corner travelled to the far post where an unmarked Hugo Taylor was on hand to score.

Corinthian mounted a big effort to go into the break on level terms but free kicks in potentially dangerous positions were ballooned over the crossbar.

Tonbridge regained their two goal advantage four minutes into the second half when Felix Waring weaved his way through the Corinthian defence, cutting in from the left, before despatching a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Corinthian got themselves back in the game on 71 minutes with a stroke of good fortune. Once again a corner being the Angels undoing but this time a clearance from Ben Martin-Coward unfortunately struck Sam Gerard in the face and the ball rebounded into the net.

Tonbridge had to withstand a good deal of pressure with Edwards saving well on a couple of occasions but they looked to have wrapped the game up with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Logan Wallace scored with a close range header from a Waring corner.

A brilliant Edwards save, turning over a 25 yard shot, seemed to have secured the points but when Taylor bundled the ball home with three minutes to go a tense finish ensued before seeing out the time added.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “I though we were good tonight against a good Corinthian side. We had lapses in concentration that gave Corinthian lifelines into the game, but we had some excellent attacking play. One defeat in 10 gives us momentum going into the second half of the season.”

Torquay United 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 58/23/2181 - Saturday, 2nd December 2023 - National League South

Torquay United (1) 2 De Silva 10 Ash 61
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Mampolo 59
Attendance: 1,850
Admission: £19 Senior
Mileage: 464/4,404
Weather: 7degC, dry and bright but cold

It’s 5.48am, I’ve beaten the alarm by two minutes and get dressed and downstairs to a couple of bemused cocker spaniels not used to being offered the outside world at this unearthly hour.

By 6.20, just a cup of tea later, I’m closing the front door and the journey to Torquay has begun, on a supporters club coach running for the first time in 17 years.

Torquay United, who didn’t know who Tonbridge Angels were two years ago when drawn together in the FA Trophy, is the destination for a league game.

It’s freezing, the temperature dial doesn’t shift from zero all the way to Tonbridge but at least the coach is warm.

The “ultras” serve up their full repertoire of songs, naughty and nice, as we head west with a welcome stop at Leigh Delamere before finally arriving at Plainmoor at 12:55 pm.

On arrival we are greeted with the news that the gates don’t open until 14:00 and away supporters are barred from the club house. This is an ex-League club, full time, absolutely ridiculous to leave people hanging around for an hour without so much as a toilet.

That be said, Plainmoor is a nice ground but, like Yeovil before, the facilities afforded to away supporters is sparse to be kind.

And so to the match. The difference between the teams was the cutting edge up front. Overall, Tonbridge went toe-to-toe with one of the league’s big hitters and, whilst coming away empty-handed, the visiting supporters departed with a feeling of injustice at the result.

I’ve heard rather patronising comments from BBC Radio Devon calling us “a good, little side”. So, we are obviously still the unknown minnows of the National League.

After a good start the Angels went behind on 10 minutes when a sweeping counter attack of just three passes that covered almost the entire length of the field ended with Dillon De Silva free at the right hand post to finish.

The Angels continued to have plenty of the play. There were half-hearted claims for a penalty as Jordan Greenidge went down under a dive at his feet from goalkeeper, Mark Halstead and a 25 yard effort from Jordan Higgs on 26 minutes clipped the top of the crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time following a corner Halstead made successive reaction saves to deny Higgs and Jamie Fielding.

Tonbridge picked up where they left off after the first period, on the front foot, and when Francis Mampolo equalised on 59 minutes nobody could deny that they were well worth their equaliser. And what a goal, picking the ball up on the left hand side, 35 yards from goal, he weaved his way through a series of defenders that failed to make a challenge before letting fly from the edge of the box with a shot that picked out the top corner.

Unfortunately, the parity was only to last two minutes when a cross from the right saw Bradley Ash peel away from his marker to bury a shot past Henly. It was a great finish from one of the best in the division, a striker that has destroyed the Angels in the past.

Still being backed to the hilt from the noisy Angels support, Tonbridge pressed hard right to the final whistle for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be.

The journey home stretched the day out to a total of 17 hours, a long day but one with a strange sense of satisfaction despite the defeat. The coach ran successfully with a promise that it would run again and, on the field, another day in which Jay Saunders’ team has proved competitive against the best in the division.

Howard School 6 Hugh Christie 0

Match 57/23/2180 - Wednesday, 29th November 2023 - Kent Schools Academies Championship

Howard School (3) 6
Hugh Christie (0) 0
Attendance: 8
Admission: Free
Mileage: 36/3,940
Played at Wrotham School
Academies: PSA v Tonbridge Angels

Gillingham 1 AFC Wimbledon 0

Match 56/23/2179 - Tuesday, 28th November 2023 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Masterson 107
AFC Wimbledon (0) 0
Attendance: 5,747
Admission: £19 Senior
Mileage: 44/3,904
Weather: 2degC, full winter gear

When the loudest cheer of the night, at that point, is reserved for a floodlight failure, nobody needs me to describe the fare that is being served up.

For 65 minutes this was easily the worst game of football I’ve been unfortunate enough to watch this season. It was utter dross and whilst the atmosphere around me was nothing like the time pre-Galinson, the natives were pretty restless.

For Stephen Clemence, just 28 days into the job, the honeymoon period seems over and he was facing the full wrath of those in the Gordon Road Stand as his set-up with Tom Nichols as a lone striker was perceived as negative. I think I can understand that after a weekend defeat, conceding three goals at relegation threatened Tranmere Rovers, he needed to shore up the defence but one striker at home, and not the biggest of targets, did seem a touch negative.

The first half was only memorable as a reminder that we are definitely in the two pairs of socks season as the toes slowly numbed with little else to attract my attention.

Twenty mind-numbing minutes passed in the second half before the lights went out almost as a mercy to the spectators. They were off for nearly 25 minutes before the players returned with a little more energy.

Gillingham forged a couple of opportunities but the big chances fell to AFC Wimbledon with leading goalscorer Ali Al-Hamadi guilty of wasting three big chances.

With officially 107 minutes on the clock, but still with eight minutes remaining, Gillingham won a free kick on the left, 20 yards from goal. This was sent to the back post from where Macauley Bonne headed forward to be turned in by defender Connor Masterson.

The noise to greet the goal finally eclipsed the floodlight failure in terms of volume and again at the final whistle as the home side saw out the remaining minutes despite a final period of pressure from the visitors.



It wasn’t good, far from easy on eye, but three points takes the Gills back into the play-off places.

Tonbridge Angels 4 Havant & Waterlooville 1

Match 55/23/2178 - Saturday, 25th November 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 4 Gard 51 (pen) Greenidge 55 Hinds 90,90+3
Havant & Waterlooville (0) 1 Phillips 65
Attendance: 1,025
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,860
Weather: 6degC, dry

Two late goals from Man of the Match Tariq Hinds eased the Angels to a comfortable victory against bottom of the table Havant and Waterlooville, who had been reduced to 10 men from the 28th minute.

Jay Saunders made one change from the side that took a point off second placed Aveley on Tuesday with Jernade Meade returning from international duty with Montserrat, Billy French rested to the bench alongside new signings Mohammad Dabre and Obed Yeboah, a 19 year-old Dutch striker who joins from Truro City having spent his youth career at AFC Wimbledon.

It was a cold afternoon at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium and supporters from both sides in a healthy attendance of 1,025 needed some distraction from the numbing of their fingers and toes. Sadly, a turgid first half failed to achieve this.

But, after 28 minutes of the half, came the major incident that shaped the game with a big call from referee Steven Hughes. Havant’s James Roberts, who had been shown a yellow card just two minutes earlier for a challenge on Scott Wagstaff, was booked and subsequently red carded for simulation after going down in the box. Referee Hughes was perfectly placed to make the judgement and it brought little argument from the Havant side.

After 20 minutes of very little action, the Angels carved out the opening opportunity when a through ball from Sean Shields sent Francis Mampolo clear but the Havant goalkeeper, Ross Worner, was quick to cut down the angle and turn the ball away for a corner.

And as real chances go, that was about as good as it got in a disappointing first period.

Whatever Saunders had to say in the confines of the dressing room the words had the desired effect as the Angels came out with renewed sense of purpose alongside the introduction of Dabre for Mampolo.

Dabre’s opening contribution was a tricky run and cross that was met by the head of Jordan Greenidge but steered wide. But, five minutes into the second half, the big striker won a penalty after a run into the box was ended by a clumsy challenge from Yoan Zouma. Lewis Gard stepped up to retain his perfect record from the spot sending Worner the wrong way to convert his sixth penalty of the season.

Four minutes later a good combination down the right ended with Shields placing the perfect cross onto the head of Greenidge, who got in front of his marker to nod home from close range.

Now in full control of the game, Ben Swift went close with a header from a corner, but in turn was injured and needed to be substituted. A moment’s lapse in concentration following his departure saw a long cross from Jake McCarthy find Kieran Phillips at the far post to head home.

Although the reduced deficit made the game slightly more uncomfortable the chances to put the game to bed were falling the Angels way with efforts from Meade and Greenidge bringing good saves from Worner.

Any worries were finally dismissed in the last minute of regular time when a pass was laid across to the edge of the box from where Hinds drove the ball home.

A fair reflection of Tonbridge’s dominance was added three minutes into added time when Greenidge won the ball with is back to goal and laid it back to Hinds to lash home from 20 yards.

The win lifts the Angels to eighth in the table with only goal difference separating them from a play off position.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Aveley 1

Match 54/23/2177 - Tuesday, 21st November 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Swift 65
Aveley (1) 1 Odembi 45 (pen)
Attendance: 741
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,822
Weather: 7degC, dry

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Corinthian U18 1

Match 53/23/2176 - Monday, 20th November 2023 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 McLeod 71
Corinthian U18 (1) 1 Benning 20
Attendance: 43
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/3,784
Weather: 10degC, damp

After being given a complete runaround for 45 minutes, the Angels U18’s turned the game around in the second half to earn a well deserved point. When asked what had changed, Dom Welsh replied: “A good, old fashioned bollocking”!

Corinthian played some sparkling football in the first half and had it not been for an outstanding performance from Angels goalkeeper, Toby Edwards, no words at half-time could have retrieved the situation.

But beaten just the once, the door remained ajar for Tonbridge and a second half with, as Welsh added, “more running, more energy, quicker to the ball, quicker to pass the ball”, they drew level with a Fin McLeod goal and might even have won the game come the end.

Edwards was pressed into action after just two minutes when a sweeping move from the visitors ended with the goalkeeper making a close range save from Guppreet Benning.

Within a minute, Angels’ Felix Waring dragged a shot narrowly wide and it looked like the game was set for end-to-end action but that wasn’t the way the first half unfolded.

Twice in a couple of minutes, the livewire Corey Holden, a real box of tricks, saw desperate blocks thwart him, the second of which from such close range it almost defied belief that Edwards had kept it out.

It could only be a matter of time before Corinthian converted one of their changes and this came on 20 minutes from the penalty spot after Sam Gerard brought down Benning, who took and scored the penalty.

It didn’t seem possible that Corinthian’s confidence could grow further but it did and the only criticism that could be levelled at them would be their failure to take any of many chances, much down to Edwards brilliance but also wastefulness.

Chances were few and far between for Tonbridge but McLeod brought a good save from Ethan Rook, in the Corinthian goal and the goalkeeper saved well soon after from Ben Martin-Coward.

Edwards clawed a shot out of the top corner from Ritchie Atkins as the Angels retreated to the dressing room to receive the hairdryer treatment from their manager.

They emerged for the second half with a sense of purpose and, although Edwards wasn’t exactly unemployed, saving well from Michael Ihiedi after 55 minutes, he was not asked to repeat his first half heroics.

First big chance of the second period fell to McLeod after being sent clear by Cameron Honarvar but this was saved by Rook and the introduction of Sam Firman on the hour further added to the Angels impetus.

Tonbridge had the ball in the net after 69 minutes but this was somewhat controversially disallowed with the referee deciding that the goalkeeper had the ball kicked from his hands after initially spilling it before Honarvar put the ball in the net.

They were not to be denied after 71 minutes though when a well worked move down the left involving Firman and Honarvar saw the ball fed to McLeod who finished well from around 12 yards angling his shot into the far bottom corner.

The home side had the momentum going into the last 20 minutes and the goalkeeper was asked to make decent saves from Honarvar (twice) and McLeod whilst a final minute effort from substitute Logan Wallace cleared the bar.

A draw was a fair result and Dom Welsh commented: “It was an indifferent performance, huge tale of two halves. We were given the runaround with lack of energy in the first half but an electric second half sees us maintain our unbeaten home record. A point apiece was the right result on the night.”

Of his goalkeeper, he commented: “Toby had a very good game tonight, he’s come on lots and been good all season.”

Hythe Town 0 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 52/23/2175 - Saturday, 18th November 2023 - FA Trophy 3rd Round

Hythe Town (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Hythe Town won on penalties 3-1
Attendance: 387
Admission: £7 Senior
Mileage: 72/3,746
Weather: 15degC, dry after a lot of rain

Tonbridge Angels bowed out of the FA Trophy at Isthmian South East side Hythe Town and with it ended all interest in cup competitions for another season.

Three cup competitions, all exited at the first point of entry and each one at the hands of a lower division club. Sadly, Jay Saunders, who enjoyed good cup fortune with previous clubs, has suffered six defeats in his tenure, everyone against lower league opposition with the only success coming in the Kent Senior Cup against a second string Gillingham team on penalties.

Not unexpectedly, this penalties defeat after a goalless 90 minutes brought its fair share of criticism most of which was justified but some of which being, in my humble opinion, a bit extreme.

I’m not seeking to make excuses for Saunders or the club but the pitch was a great leveller. True, the argument will always be that both sides play on the same pitch but it is easier for the side that strings six across the back than the opposition attempting to play through them.

But that is where the excuses have to stop. Tonbridge were woeful in the final third and Hythe’s steadfast defence limited them to very few chances.

The day had begun with an expectation of a postponement, but a morning pitch inspection gave the go ahead.

First half chances fell firstly to Hythe’s Johan Caney-Brian who saw his effort come back from the underside of the bar after 27 minutes whilst Francis Mampolo also struck the bar for the Angels, three minutes before the break. In between was a lot of huff and puff with no end result.

As the pitch got heavier in the second half, the prospect of the game going all the way to penalties became clearer by the minute. Jordan Greenidge had the ball in the net after 67 minutes but this was disallowed for pushing without any argument.

Right at the death, Sam Flisher wasted the best chance of the half for Hythe before the dreaded shoot-out ensued. Both sides, almost appropriately, missed their opening spot kicks before Caney-Brian and Greenidge converted. That was the end of the Angels success from the spot and it was left to a former Angels legend, Frannie Collin, to wrap up the tie.

A favourite question: Dodgy pitch, lower division opposition, what possibly could go wrong. Unfortunately about 100 Tonbridge supporters knew the answer.

Eastbourne Borough 0 Tonbridge Angels 3

Match 51/23/2174 - Tuesday, 14th November 2023 - National League South

Eastbourne Borough (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Fielding 45+1 Quick (OG) 57 Greenidge 83
Attendance: 1,136
Admission: £9 Senior
Mileage: 66/3,674
Weather: Windy, 12degC, dry after a lot of rain

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Welling United U18 0

Match 50/23/2173 - Monday, 13th November 2023 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 McLeod 15 Wallace 82
Welling United U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 47
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/3,608
Weather: Windy, 12degC, felt colder

For the second time in a matter of a fortnight, the Under-18’s had to face a meteorological storm as well as that imposed by their opponents.

A very good Welling United side, pacy with some technically gifted players asked an awful lot of questions of the Angels, so to come away with not only the three points but also a clean sheet speaks highly of the organisation and endeavour of the youngsters.

Right from the outset, and sustained through the opening half-hour, Tonbridge were forced to concede a huge share of possession to ensure that space behind the back four was not allowed to the speedy visiting forwards.

To add to the problems, albeit one for both sides, the blustery wind whipped along by Storm Debi, made lofted crosses into the box a nightmare for the two goalkeepers.

As said, Welling began the game on the front foot forcing Angels’ goalkeeper, Toby Edwards into two good saves within the first three minutes, breathing a sigh of relief when the rebound from second effort was headed over from close range.

Edwards produced a moment of goalkeeping magic on 11 minutes when an effort from Jed Borders took a wicked deflection that need Edwards to claw the ball away from behind him.

It was largely against the run of play when the Angels took a 15th minute lead. A loose pass out of defence was seized upon by Cameron Honarvar and his pass found Fin McLeod inside the left side of the penalty to rifle a shot across the face of the Welling goalkeeper and into the far, bottom corner.

The Angels goalkeeper remained far the busier saving from Oli Powers and Borders and four minutes before the break, he brilliantly turned over a 30 yard free kick from Welling’s dead ball specialist Powers.

Into the second period and Tonbridge started to impose themselves more on the game in an attacking sense. Honarvar tested the goalkeeper with a 30 yard free kick and was also narrowly wide as the game passed the hour mark.

But Edwards and his back line were far from idle, successfully dealing with a succession of corners delivered into the swirling wind.

A well worked move between Felix Waring and Ben Martin-Coward saw the latter shoot just past the right hand post. After 76 minutes, Logan Wallace replaced the hard working McLeod and within six minutes the Under-16’s player doubled the Angels lead, defying his height disadvantage, to score with a header following a brilliant run and cross from Noah Millis.

As Welling desperately pushed on to retrieve the game, chances fell on the counter to the Angels to add to the scoreline with substitute Evan Da Silva going close and in the final act of a thoroughly, entertaining encounter, skipper Will Puffette headed over.

A delighted Dom Welsh said after the game: “An excellent result against a good Welling side who threw absolutely everything at us. The boys defended with their bodies on the line in the second half and we were able to punish mistakes and be effective in the final third.”

An equally magnanimous Welling manager Jason Lyons said: “No complaints from the management after that performance … Fair play to Tonbridge who were excellent defensively.”

St Albans City 2 Tonbridge Angels 3

Match 49/23/2172 - Saturday, 11th November 2023 - National League South

St Albans City (2) 2 Jeffers 33 (pen) Blackman 43
Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Greenidge 71,90+4 Shields 73
Attendance: 1,526
Admission: £11 Senior
Mileage: 150/3,570
Weather: Mild, 15degC

Tonbridge Angels 0 Hampton & Richmond Borough 0

Match 48/23/2171 - Tuesday, 7th November 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 0
Attendance: 656
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,420
Weather: Cold, 9degC

Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Bracknell Town U18 1

Match 47/23/2170 - Monday, 6th November 2023 - Isthmian Youth League Cup 3R

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Honarvar 16 Martin-Coward 73
Bracknell Town U18 (0) 1
Attendance: 47
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 38/3,382
Weather: Cold, 7degC

Tonbridge Angels progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Isthmian Youth League Cup with a battling performance against a talented Bracknell Town side.

The visitors, wearing a bizarrely numbered set of shirts featuring numbers from 41 through to 56, also employed a high tempo, attacking game that had the Angels youngsters on the back foot from the outset. But, that style of football naturally leaves areas elsewhere that can be exploited and the Angels tactical plan worked perfectly.

It was a cold evening that needed a good game to distract supporters from the chill and both teams served up an entertaining encounter.

Bracknell served warning to their hosts with Angels goalkeeper, Toby Edwards, gainfully employed in the opening 10 minutes, firstly saving a header from Ralph Vicram and then thanking the woodwork as a shot from Marky Tacrari not only came down from the underside of the bar but also striking a post before being cleared to safety.

The early onslaught continued and Edwards saved superbly to deny Vicram after a long ball forward sent him clear.

So it was largely against the run of play when the Angels went in front when a cross hooked in from the right was met with a deft header from Cameron Honarvar.

The goal boosted the confidence of the home side who began to exploit the wide areas of the visitors defence but Bracknell continued to be threatening going forward and after 31 minutes the Angels post was struck again by Hayden Vaughan.

But the visiting goalkeeper, Nicolo Toro, was not standing idle either and was needed to make a great save from Honarvar and following a surging run from Sam Gerard he was called upon to palm the ball to safety for a corner.

Tonbridge held their lead at the break but only with the help of a goal line clearance after the ball had been lobbed over the head over Edwards.

The opening 20 minutes saw the Angels needing all their defensive resolution as they faced a succession of corners but the back line, superbly marshalled by Will Puffette was standing firm.

On 73 minutes, the Quarter Finals began to look in sight as the Angels doubled their lead. A corner from the right, swung in by Reuben Etherington, saw Ben Martin-Coward rise high above the Bracknell defenders to head home.

Now needing to press forward in ever-increasing numbers, the Angels were able to catch their visitors on the break and a couple of chances to put the game to bed were wasted.

But, by the same token, the Angels back line dealt with everything thrown at them in the final minutes until, with virtually the last kick of the match, a penalty gave Bracknell a consolation goal.

A delighted Dom Welsh said after the game: “An excellent reaction to a disappointing performance last week. We identified key ways to exploit space tonight and were excellent in doing so. We defended resolutely throughout, conceding late being the only frustration.”

Looking forward to the Quarter Final draw: “There’s some big sides left in the competition, but if you get to the last eight, you have to expect to get a tough draw.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Chelmsford City 1

Match 46/23/2169 - Saturday, 4th November 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Wagstaff 8
Chelmsford City (1) 1 Jenkins 33
Attendance: 1,050
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,344
Weather: Very wet, 14degC

Sutton Common Rovers U18 5 Tonbridge Angels U18 1

Match 45/23/2168 - Wednesday, 1st November 2023 - Isthmian Youth League

Sutton Common Rovers U18 (2) 5 Ueno 5,40 Hill 65 Bond 71 Hogben 87
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 1 Firman 24
Attendance: 36
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 82/3,306
Weather: Very wet, 10degC
Played at Whyteleafe

Whilst the south-east battened down the hatches in the face of Storm Ciaran, Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s faced a second half storm in the shape of Sutton Common Rovers.

The deposed champions, pipped last season by Cray Valley PM, are looking as good as ever and no doubt will challenge for the title again this season.

Our Under-18’s acquitted themselves well in the first half falling behind to a goal that was clearly offside before gaining a thoroughly deserved equaliser only to fall behind again just before the break.

Sutton Common took a fifth minute lead when the diminutive, but very busy, Ueno rifled a shot into the roof of the net from an angle on the right side of the box despite claims for offside that were waved away by the referee.

The Angels struggled to contain their hosts in the early stages with a second goal being disallowed as the ball had crossed the byeline before being crossed and, after 19 minutes, the crossbar was also struck.

But, they were back in the game, after 24 minutes, when Sam Firman created a bit of space for himself before firing into the bottom corner.

After half-hour the forerunner of Ciaran started to make itself felt as Church Road became rain lashed leaving supporters retreating to the covered areas.

A strong run out of defence from Will Puffette ended with a snap shot from Firman that was blocked but, five minutes before the break, a cross from the right byeline from Bond offered Ueno a tap-in.

Toby Underwood was called upon to make a couple of decent saves to keep the deficit at one at the break.

The early part of the second period saw the Angels with chances. Firman put a teasing cross across the face of goal and the SCR goalkeeper saved well from Evan De Silva and, on the hour, a 35 yard effort from Ben Martin-Coward was turned over the bar.

On 65 minutes, Sutton Common opened up the Tonbridge defence with a well worked move that ended with Hill scoring from close range and the game was over as a contest five minutes later when Bond scored a fourth.

A good passage of play saw Cameron Honarvar shoot narrowly wide but, with three minutes remaining, the impressive SCR skipper, Hogben, weaved his way through to add a fifth.

Beaten by much the better side, Dom Welsh commented following the game: “We defended poorly tonight and were punished by a very good team. We just had too many individuals not at the races.”

Truro City 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 44/23/2167 - Saturday, 28th October 2023 - National League South

Truro City (0) 1 Greenslade 90+6
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Fish 45 Gard 60 (pen)
Attendance: 237
Admission: £9 Senior
Mileage: 488/3,224
Weather: Warm sunshine following heavy rain, 16degC

Played at Plymouth Parkway
New Ground: 382

The longest trip of the season went to plan in terms of travelling but the outward journey was an anxious one as the weather looked set to make it a wasted one.

Newly-promoted Truro City are groundsharing at Plymouth Parkway whilst Stadium Cornwall is being built, so the journey could have been 50 miles further.

The day started ominously, alarm at 6am to the sound of pouring rain followed by a better omen that the walk to the station was done in a period of brief respite. It remained dry until after Totnes when the rain returned and how!

Arriving in Plymouth at 12:15, there was plenty of time to follow the internet’s guidance to Parkway by bus. Not to be trusted, especially as the rain started to fall in monsoon proportions. The bus stop was found but not the bus and I dragged myself back to the station to get a taxi to the ground, three miles away. Soaked and now very worried that this might be all for nothing.

On arrival, the information was that the pitch had survived a first inspection but it wasn’t going to take much more rain and then once more the heaven’s opened.

Thankfully, it was a short, sharp shower and perhaps the fact that referee Claussen had travelled even further, from Southend, the game was given the go ahead.

Plymouth Parkway’s Bolitho Park is a tidy ground with a 250 seater stand straddling the half way line. Opposite is a full length covered enclosure, that has an area of seating with flat standing either side. Behind one goal there is a full length covered flat standing. At the other end, where there is a tented area to eat or drink, is also a mini covered terrace area, that could hold 20 or so at best!

Another absence, Jamie Fielding, saw Joe Tyrie taking a starting place forming a teenage central defensive partnership with Ethan Sutcliffe.

Truro have struggled at home this season, only winning twice, and how they are sustaining a National League side on a gate of just 237 with just a minibus load of Cornish people lending their support.

The pitch was obviously going to be difficult but probably improved as the game wore on as some warm sunshine emerged from the clouds.

The first half ebbed and flowed with neither side dominating but the Angels creating the better chances and were deserving of their lead, taken on the stroke of half time, when a peach of a pass from Charlie Pegrum send Sonny Fish clear to finish coolly past the advancing Jamie Pardington.

Truro started the second period with a couple of early chances but the Angels took charge and doubled their advantage on the hour when Fish was brought down by Ed Palmer. Lewis Gard maintained his perfect record from the spot sending Pardington the wrong way.

Tonbridge had chances to put the game to bed through substitutes Jordan Greenidge, who hit a post, and Joe Turner but found themselves a man short when Ansu Janneh was unluckily sent off as he slipped as he made a challenge and ending up going through the player.

Truro gave themselves a chance in the lengthy added time when a 25-yarder from Harvey Greenslade found the bottom corner which was a particular disappointment for the young central defensive pairing who had done so well aided by a superb Jordan Higgs in front of them.

Truro’s Tyler Harvey also saw red in the closing moments for a second yellow.

Opening my front door at 11:35 pm, it had been a long day but three points eased the tiredness and the clocks going back gave an extra hours sleep.