Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Sheppey United U18 0

Match 80/22/2087 - Monday, 27th February 2023 - Isthmian Youth

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Honavar 12 Green 90
Sheppey United U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 23

Admission: £4
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/5,603

The Angels Under-18’s returned to winning ways after a couple of indifferent performances with a 2-0 win at Longmead against a competitive Sheppey United side.

Goals from Cameron Honavar and a clincher with the last kick of the match by Tom Green provided the difference between the teams in a hard fought encounter.

On another cold night in a season of seemingly endless cold nights, Sheppey struck the post within the first minute with a well struck shot by Henry Sisarello and from an 11th minute corner the visitors were denied when Matt Larkin clawed away a header.

So it was against the run of play when Honavar received the ball inside the box, after a cross from Sam Firman, to turn and fire in a shot past the Sheppey goalkeeper.

The game continued to ebb and flow with the Ites creating the better of the chances although Leo Vowles fizzed a cross across the face of goal and, on 34 minutes, brought a good save out of Richard Young.

In the final action of the half, Sheppey went close with a header from a corner.

Tonbridge dominated the early part of the second period with Honavar and Firman at times running the Sheppey defence ragged. Honavar flashed a shot over the top and then put in a cross that just begged somebody to be on the end of it.

Felix Waring was also in the heart of the action with his shot on 53 minutes saved by Young and seeing another effort clear the bar before, on the hour, a well worked goal, touched in by Honavar was ruled out as the forward had strayed offside.

Sheppey were still in the game and forced several corners and Larkin needed to be alert with eight minutes remaining saving from Charlie Nicholl.

Tom Green, a defender by trade, had been brought on as substitute for Honavar and his power was causing mayhem with the Sheppey back line and his endeavour was rewarded when he latched onto a through ball from Firman and scored as Young dived at his feet, injuring himself in the process.

As the goalkeeper lay injured the referee blew the final whistle but we are assured that he was okay and suffering from a jarred knee.

A delighted Dom Welsh commented after the game: “Outstanding performance tonight against a good Sheppey side. Huge contrast from last week, we moved the ball quickly with a purpose and defended a clean sheet superbly. A top team performance from the boys.”

Pictures: Kathryn Bell

Bath City 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 79/22/2086 - Saturday, 25th February 2023 - National League South

Bath City (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Jack Wood 88
Attendance: 1,263

Admission: Pass
Programme: £3
Mileage: 335/5,565

Whoever would have thought that out of the disappointment of Monday evening at Chelmsford, this week would have ended as potentially a significant one, culminating with a late winner against Bath City to record a first victory against the home side at Twerton Park since 1958.

Jay Saunders seemingly has a knack of breathing new life into the season when, perhaps, supporters had felt that a good season might slip quietly away.

On Thursday, those supporters hopes were lifted with the news that Tommy Wood was to return to Tonbridge Angels from Hampton & Richmond Borough. It was a bitter disappointment when Wood decided to seek pastures new at the end of last season, seemingly a purely logistical decision based on his work commitments. But, when he became available, Saunders beat off other clubs seeking his signature and Wood was glad to return home.

Wood took his place on the bench with two other new signings in the starting XI. In goal, with Jonny Henly unavailable, George Bentley, late of Faversham Town, stepped into the breach whilst Marcel Elva-Fountaine, on a month’s loan from Aldershot Town replaced the injured Craig Braham-Barrett.

It’s a long way down to Bath, but a reasonably trouble-free journey saw arrival in good time. Twerton Park is a grand old ground, with a wonderful covered terrace the length of the ground opposite the main stand which is strangely set back. Both ends have no cover with the Bristol End having, by non-league standards, a large terrace. Sadly, there is a fine line between a ground that has character and one that is close to being derelict. Whilst Twerton is in need of some tender, loving care, it does still fall into the character side of the line, Welling being the example of a ground falling the wrong side of the line.

On a difficult pitch, they game was destined not to reach the heights in terms of quality, but the throng of around 60 Angels fans were not to worry too greatly about that at the final whistle.

News of Henly’s absence had been kept under wraps and with memories of his last absence, at Taunton, remaining in supporters minds, an early comfortable collection of a cross by Bentley was greeted with some relief.

In the opening half-hour, Bentley was only once called into serious action, saving from Tom Smith whilst Angels had chances on seven minutes when Tariq Hinds' shot was saved and on 15 and 17 minutes when crosses from Lewis Gard begged a touch in front of goal.

Gard was to play no further part after 34 minutes when, feeling unwell, he was surprisingly replaced by Tommy Wood, when a midfield replacement in Tommie Fagg was on the bench.

The home side’s best chance of the first half came in the final minute when Kieran Parcelle shot wide following a corner.

The second half was hard work for both sides with chances thin on the ground. After 62 minutes, Bath’s Dan Hayfield saw his effort come back off a post and for the Angels, Wood fell agonisingly close to getting on the end of Jordan Greenidge’s cross.

With five minutes remaining, Saunders rolled the dice for the Angels with a double substitution full of attacking intent with Fagg and Jack Wood entering the action. On 85 minutes, heroic defending was needed to deny Hayfield before, on 88 minutes, Jack Wood received the ball some 25 yards from goal, skipped a couple of challenges before firing in a shot from 20 yards across face of the goal to nestle into the bottom corner.

It was a wonderful leaving present from Jack Wood, whose loan spell from Southend expired after this game.

So it was, brave substitutions, a superb winning goal and stout defending brought a result that renews the hope of an end-of-season place in the play-offs.

Chelmsford City 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 78/22/2085 - Monday, 20th February 2023 - National League South

Chelmsford City (0) 1 Trotter 90+5
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 571

Admission: Pass
Programme: £3
Mileage: 128/5,230

This post will be short! A terrible game which did no credit to National League South, let alone two teams supposedly chasing the play-off places, decided by a refereeing decision and the last meaningful kick of the game. To say I went home dispirited is an understatement.

Chelmsford’s Melbourne Stadium is a soulless, athletics-based stadium at which Tonbridge’s history is not good, albeit that there has been a win and a draw there in the last couple of years.

The pitch at Chelmsford is not on the particularly small side, but if this game had been played at the local racecourse both teams would still have had trouble keeping the ball on the pitch which presents its own problems as the ball disappears over the eight lane running track. When the ball was in play, somewhat a novelty, neither side could pass the ball to a team mate. The first half was dire; the second half was worse.

Abigail Byrne has earned plenty of plaudits and from the two previous games she officiated for Tonbridge Angels, those accolades have been well deserved. But, on this occasion, there wasn’t too many Tonbridge supporters going home singing her praises, but I would cut her some slack and don’t subscribe to putting the reasons for defeat solely at her door.

After a slow start, the Angels just about edged the first half, at least in terms of the best of the chances, the best of which falling to Tommie Fagg, who replaced Tariq Hinds in the starting XI due to a hamstring injury, on 30 minutes when his header from an acute angle only found the side netting. Further chances fell to Jordan Greenidge and Devonte Aransibia but the score remained, unsurprisingly, goalless at the break.

Sadly for the 50 or 60 Angels supporters that had made the journey through the tunnel their side disappeared in the second period and, to be honest, took the home side with them, such was lack of quality on display.

Chelmsford had the better of the possession in the second half without seriously threatening the Angels goal with about the only moment of excitement coming when Greenidge and Dave Winfield tussled for a ball with the City defender making every effort to broker an early exchange of shirts.

The defining moment of the game came in the final minute of time added. A challenge from Ben Swift brought a melee of players that eventually saw bookings for Swift and Jonny Henly plus a Chelmsford player. Was it a fair challenge, Swift got the ball but referee Byrne saw it differently and from the resultant free kick, after the ball was headed clear, it fell kindly for Liam Trotter who struck it cleanly past a perhaps unsighted Henly.

And so ended another forgettable evening in Essex and unbeaten eight game streak, one can only rejoice that the bridge need not be crossed again this season.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Concord Rangers 2

Match 77/22/2084 - Saturday, 18th February 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Aransibia 15 Greenidge 37
Concord Rangers (1) 2 Bettemer 23 Modeste 71
Attendance: 1,075

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,102

For all the analysis that is done post match on Sky or Match of the Day, the one element that the experts cannot quantify is Lady Luck.

Watching the last 20 minutes of Aston Villa v Arsenal in the bar prior to the Angels home game against Concord Rangers, Arsenal benefited from their share of Lady Luck’s handouts when a shot from Jorginho rattled the woodwork only to rebound off the back of the Villa goalkeeper and into the net. Now, it might well be argued that the Gunners deserved the points anyway but without that stroke of good fortune they were only destined for a draw.

Despite some sloppy defending that allowed relegation threatened Concord two goals, Tonbridge really should have eased to a comfortable victory but Lady Luck, in the shape of the woodwork struck three times and some heroic goalkeeping from Mitchell Beeney intervened.

In what was a repeat of the reverse fixture at the Aspect Arena, Tonbridge dominated for the entire game but, somehow, have conspired to collect just a point, which was at least one more than in November.

Scott Wagstaff returned to the starting XI with Tommie Fagg dropping to the bench.

Beeney probably got a fair indication of a busy afternoon ahead with routine saves from headers by Jordan Greenidge and Jamie Fielding in the first five minutes.

After 15 minutes of one-way traffic, Tonbridge went ahead when a great cross from Tariq Hinds found the head of Devonte Aransibia at the far post to finish into the top corner.

Concord equalised after 23 minutes from their first real attack. A corner was poorly dealt with by the home side and when Jimmy Wallace crossed, Mohammed Bettamer scored with an overhead kick into the far corner.

The Angels went back in front after 37 minutes with a carbon copy goal of the first. This time Hinds' pin-point cross was met by the diving head of Greenidge for his 12th goal of a 13 match loan spell.

A Lewis Gard shot that curled wide and a glancing header from Joe Turner might have increased the Angels lead but at the break it remained 2-1.

Four minutes into the second period saw a Turner cross headed against the crossbar by Greenidge, who, on the hour, had the ball in the net only to be ruled out for offside.

On 65 minutes a 25 yard effort from Aransibia was touched onto the bar by Beeney and, from the resultant corner, the post was struck.

But the Angels fell to a sucker punch on 71 minutes when Ola Ogunwamide was able to play the ball across the face of goal to the back post where ex-Angel Ricky Modeste was on hand to touch the ball home from close range.

There was a distinct feeling that there was a winner to be had in this game with plenty of time in which to get it, but Beeney was to have other ideas.

A back pass that fell short saw substitute Ruben Soares-Junior intercept but Beeney smothered at his feet; Wagstaff’s effort was saved comfortably but then the keeper excelled again with a Greenidge effort turned over the bar.

As the clock ticked into added time, strong claims for a penalty (for which I was convinced) when Aransibia was brought down were denied by referee, Jack Bloxham. Aransibia was injured in the challenge but got to his feet to make it back to the centre circle where he went down again to be ultimately stretchered off.

With seven minutes of added time played, Beeney made his last, and his best, save of the afternoon saving at his near post a Fagg header. Beeney deserved to take something out of the game, even if Concord Rangers didn’t.

Lady Luck, and a superb goalkeeping performance, were enough to deny the Angels and perhaps no more analysis is needed.

Photos: Kathryn Bell

Gillingham 2 Grimsby Town 1

Match 76/22/2083 - Tuesday, 14th February 2023 - EFL League Two

Gillingham (0) 2 Lapslie 56 Hawkins 87
Grimsby Town (0) 1 Holohan 75
Attendance: 5,097

Admission: Season Ticket (borrowed)
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/5,064

This was my first time back at Priestfield Stadium in 16 months and it was great to feel that I wanted to be there.

The Scally era has finally ended and with the new American owners, Brad and Shannon Galinson, there is new hope and supporters like myself are feeling encouraged to return.

A borrowed season ticket was a free hit that helped smooth the way and, at least the second half gave further encouragement to return in the future.

Making it clear, my times as a season ticket holder or a regular visitor to Gillingham, that boat has sailed. I’m too invested in Tonbridge Angels to make that return. But, after three years of making Gillingham my last choice of a match, they might become my first alternative.

So soon into the Galinson era obviously nothing has physically changed at Priestfield, the temporary stand from 2005 is still there and I guess it might see another couple of years of service yet. But was has changed, and this was what drove me away, is that the toxic atmosphere has been removed. True, the mood during a dire first half was subdued but it was never spiteful, just wasn’t greatly supportive.

But they came to life in the second period as Gillingham got themselves on the front foot and then the old place became electric.

As for the football, the first half was dire almost beyond belief to the point that my half-time conversation with season ticket holding friends was whether this was new Gillingham or same old Gillingham.

Thankfully, kicking towards the Rainham End provided the momentum and the supporters responded accordingly. An early opportunity for Tom Nichols that brought a superb save from Max Crocombe at the near post brought the crowd to their feet and on them they stayed for the half.

Gillingham went in front on 57 minutes after a concerted period of pressure that ended with Dom Jeffries sliding a cross across the face of goal to the far post where energetic George Lapslie was positioned for a virtual tap-in.

Grimsby responded, and backed by a superb following of nearly 300 for a Tuesday evening, brought a good save from Glenn Morris and a last ditch saving challenge from Masterson before equalising on 75 minutes. A hanging cross from the left by Anthony Glennon found Gavan Holohan at the far post to nod home from close range.

Oliver Hawkins went close to putting the Gills back in front with a shot deflected wide and Nichols had an effort blocked by Crocombe before Hawkins headed home a Cheye Alexander cross from the left hand angle of the six yard box to put the Gills ahead on 87 minutes and generate a roar that took the roof off the Rainham End.

The final whistle brought cup final winning celebrations from a support that has been through the mill but now have the confidence that they have their club back and, in a small way, I want to be a part of that.

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Cray Valley PM U18 5

Match 75/22/2082 - Monday, 13th February 2023 - Isthmian Youth

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 McLeod 90
Cray Valley PM U18 (1) 5 Lawson 6,83,90+5 Turner 59 Krasniqi 84
Attendance: 23

Admission: £4
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/5,026

Dom Welsh commented after the game: “I said to the boys tonight, I don’t actually come away from that game feeling like we’ve played badly. For parts of the game we were pretty dominant and created lots of good chances. The difference between the two teams is they took their chances and we didn’t. We made a few mistakes and were punished.”

Certainly for 45 minutes, that was the case. On a night when league leaders, Sutton Common Rovers, lost at Sheppey, Cray Valley PM closed the gap at the top to four points with two games in hand with a second half performance in which they were absolutely clinical in front of goal to run out slightly flattering 5-1 winners at Longmead.

On a chilly, at times fog-bound, evening Cray Valley started well and were ahead in six minutes in disputable circumstances. A throw-in that clearly should have been awarded to the home side was quickly taken allowing Jonathan Lawson to run into the penalty area and shoot past Matt Larkin.

Tonbridge responded well in what became a competitive first half with chances falling to both sides. Angels’ new signing Reuben Etherington showed up well and had a couple of good efforts that brought saves whilst Cray Valley were always dangerous going forward with full back Victor Damyoun consistently supplying Lawson, whose threat was only being contained by a superb defensive performance from skipper Will Puffette.

Puffette provided a magic moment just past the half-hour when a 60 yard surge out of defence through the centre of the field ended with his shot charged down.

The Angels ended the first half very much in the ascendancy forcing a series of corners that brought a header from Cameron Honavar that was narrowly wide and an effort from Sam Firman that was cleared from the line.

Cray Valley emerged for the second half with a far greater intensity and after Larkin had saved well and Oliver Knight had pulled a shot wide they went 2-0 up on the hour when a looping header from Malachy Turner found the net.

When Leo Vowles picked up a poor clearance and was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper there was a route back into the game but Aidan Wilks saved well at his feet and Cray effectively put the game to bed when Mikael Krasniqi profited from a poor clearance to tuck the ball into the far corner.

With seven minutes remaining Lawson was sent clear to make it four and although the Angels found a consolation goal in the 90th minute when Vowles set up Fin McLeod, there was still time for the Valley to add a fifth when Lawson was sent through, Larkin saved his initial effort but was helpless with the rebound that completed the striker's hat-trick.

Dom Welsh praised his opponents saying: “Cray were good value for the three points but certainly not by that margin; we have lost too a very good side who for me will go onto win the league.”

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 74/22/2081 - Saturday, 11th February 2023 - National League South

Dulwich Hamlet (0) 1 Owusu 87
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Greenidge 37 Turner 81
Attendnace: 2,961

Admission: Pass
Programme: Not purchased
Mileage: 90/4,988

The seasonal away fixture at Dulwich Hamlet has become an event that is looked forward to by Tonbridge supporters in recent times.

Yes, we enjoy our banter with the hipster supporters that seemingly have very interest in what goes on on the other side of the pitch perimeter fencing; we deride the craft beer and expensive street food whilst the majority partake in some form, especially as the awkwardness of the drive and parking means most allow the train to take the strain. But, most of all, in recent seasons this has become a happy hunting ground.

The support that Dulwich continue to command is nothing short of amazing, if only because on this particular viewing, they are watching the worst Dulwich side that I can remember. Jonny Henly was, for the most part, a virtual spectator as the Angels eased to what should have been a far more comfortable win, whilst being short of their own best.

Jordan Greenidge’s midweek re-signing on loan to the end of the season brought him back into the starting XI along with Devonte Aransibia for Ruben Soares-Junior and Bivesh Gurung who dropped to the bench.

The Angels took charge of the game from the outset without overly threatening the home goalkeeper whilst Joe Felix brought a comfortable save from Henly.

Tonbridge proceeded to dominate the game completely, forcing a number of corners, that came to nothing, with Joe Turner leading the home defence a merry dance .

Just after the half-hour mark, Turner had a shot that was beaten away by Charlie Grainger and he was instrumental in the Angels taking a 37th minute lead. After dispossessing Quade Taylor, he strode forward to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Greenidge to smash into the roof of the net from close range at the near post. It was the big man’s 12th goal for the Angels in just 13 games.

Tonbridge might have gone two-up just before the break, and it would have been no more than they deserved, when Tommie Fagg met a Lewis Gard corner with a firm header but it was cleared from the line.

The second half progressed in much the same manner as the first with Fagg heading over and a shot from Tariq Hinds that was parried away by Grainger.

The only real surprise was that it took until nine minutes from time for the Angels to seemingly put the game to bed when Turner cut in from the right to fire in a shot that took a heavy deflection that wrong-footed Grainger.

So it was frustrating when the home side pulled a goal back in the 86th minute that led to a nervy last 10 minutes including time-added. A low cross in from the right was met at the far post by Nana Owusu, who had a tap-in but the game was seen out with little alarm.

The magic 45 points is safely passed before Valentine’s Day and with the Angels sitting just a point off the play-off places, we are about to enter into a period where, perhaps, the club’s ambition might be tested. That ambition, especially with the Greenidge signing, cannot be questioned at the present time but it might need further signings to make a serious assault on the top seven. This could become very interesting!

Tonbridge Angels U18 5 Metrogas U18 1

Match 73/22/2080 - Sunday, 5th February 2023 - Kent Youth League

Tonbridge Angels Under-18 (4) 5 West 6 Rayner 22 Carlton 40 Borders 41,83
Metrogas (1) 1
Headcount: 42

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/4,898

Tonbridge Angels Kent Youth League Under-18’s blew away the league leaders Metrogas at Longmead Stadium with an emphatic performance that produced a 5-1 win.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 24 minutes when they had a player dismissed for violent conduct but, by that time, the Angels were already well in control of the game.

Tonbridge started the game on the front foot and fully deserved their lead on six minutes when James Cooper sent Devonte West clear down the right, shrugging off a challenge before cutting in and driving home an unstoppable shot from the angle of the six yard box.

One very nearly became two, three minutes later when Tom Borders struck a post, followed by a shot from Jacob Carlton that was turned away by the goalkeeper for a corner.

After surviving a scare when a back pass fell short and a hasty clearance from Angels’ goalkeeper, Jay Blake rebounded off a Metrogas forward to drift agonisingly wide, the Angels went two up, after 22 minutes, when a lovely move involving West and Jack Baker set up George Rayner for a good finish.

After the sending-off, the Angels went into a sloppy period and were punished when from a corner the ball was headed against the bar with the rebound touched home.

It was the jolt that was required and the Angels regained their grip on the game to scored twice more before the break to give Metrogas an uphill task in the second period.

A cross from the left found Carlton, whose initial shot was parried but he took his second opportunity and a minute later, West send Borders through to power a shot through the keeper’s grasp.

In fairness to the visitors they gave it a decent go in the second despite their man disadvantage and a three goal deficit.

Substitute Byron Doughty made an instant impact but his strike was denied by the goalkeeper as was a West effort.

At the other end, the bar was struck on 76 minutes before the game was wrapped up with seven minutes remaining when Borders was set up for a close range finish by Doughty.

A great performance that delighted coach Jacob Wright, who said after the game: “We started the game very well, and the lads were determined to keep it like this for the 90 minutes. We managed the game well and saw the job out professionally.”

The Angels remain in third place in the table trailing leaders Metrogas by three points.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Worthing 1

Match 72/22/2079 - Saturday, 4th February 2023 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Hinds 59 Turner 79
Worthing (1) 1 Wills 22
Attendance: 1,163

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/4,860

A half time substitution, a cosy chat in the dressing room during the break and a subtle adjustment to formation and Tonbridge Angels came out for the 2nd half looking a completely different side. Instead of allowing Worthing to totally run the game in that first period, straight from the 46th minute Angels were in their opponent’s faces, making the tackles and often winning those 50/50 balls. Great credit to Angels Boss, Jay Saunders and his backroom staff for effecting those changes but also the players who clearly took everything on board, and their reward - an exciting win over one of the play off contenders.

Jordan Greenidge was not fully fit while Devonte Aransibia Jack Wood dropped to the bench. Captain Sonny Miles was restored to the starting line up and it was a first start for Maidstone Utd loanee Midfielder Bivesh Gurung

Worthing arrived at Longmead with just one previous league defeat on the road and it was easy to see why. Right from the kick off they took over control with some delightful passing movements and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 22nd minute through Kane Wills who had been set up by Davide Rodari. The Rebels certainty didn’t sit on their lead but continued to press their hosts with Chambers and Wills at the heart of proceedings.

There was the occasional raid by Angels attempting to beat Worthing’s off side trap but often the first touch was poor or Male in the Worthing goal was far too quick off his line and any chance was stifled. Tonbridge will have been relieved to get to half time just the one goal adrift.

The second half saw a dramatic improvement for the home side with a much more incisive performance and preventing Worthing from running the show as they had done in the first half.

On 59 minutes with Worthing not quite managing to clear their lines the ball fell to Hinds who volleyed magnificently from outside the area to draw the scores level. At that stage, no one in the 1163 crowd could have predicted the outcome with both sides giving their all. It was however the home side who then broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with another quite magnificent strike from Turner following good work by Fagg and Gard.

There was still plenty of time for Worthing to equalise and despite seeing plenty of the ball they couldn’t break the Angels defence.

Afterwards Saunders on Hinds’ strike said: “People don’t realise how much quality it takes to score a goal like that, it was pure class.”

Tonbridge Angels Academy 8 VCD Athletic Academy 0

Match 71/22/2078 - Wednesday, 1st February 2023 - National League Under-19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (5) 8 Tyrie 2 Velvick 6,49 Thomas 16 Brennan 29,45,54 Saunders 58
VCD Athletic (0) 0
Headcount: 15

Admission: Free Senior
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/4,822

A hat-trick for Shea Brennan, each goal a shot from 20 yards or more, was the highlight of another comfortable National League Alliance win for the Academy.

In attendance were a couple of Leeds United supporters who had decided to stop off en-route to their club’s FA Youth Cup game against AFC Wimbledon, who felt we had “a cracking set-up”.

And the Angels got off to a cracking start with a goal after just two minutes and added too four minutes later. The opening goal came via a Leo Vowles’ free kick on the left that found the head of skipper Joe Tyrie. Vowles was then involved in the second when he sent Josh McArthur clear to cross for Hayden Velvick to finish from close range. The goal stood despite VCD’s claims for offside which did appear to be justified.

The early goals gave the Angels momentum that they didn’t really lose until the latter stages of the game. Vowles and Velvick brought saves from the goalkeeper before a cross from the former saw Ashton Thomas arriving into space to plant a firm header home.

The first of Brennan’s rockets from 20 yards whistled past the goalkeeper after 29 minutes to make it 4-0.

In fairness to VCD, they endeavoured to keep their heads up and, on a couple of occasions brought, albeit comfortable, saves from Nat Gibb.

They also defended stoutly especially on 40 minutes when Tyrie’s header from a corner was half-saved before being cleared from the line, but there was nothing that could be done in the first minute of time added when Brennan left fly again, this time from around 25 yards into the roof of the net for a 5-0 half-time lead.

Four minutes after the restart, Velvick was sent clear by Ben Hermitage to lob the goalkeeper for his 24th goal of the season.

Jokes had been passed with Shea’s watching Dad during half-time that he needed a 30-yarder for his hat-trick, well it was not quite and it needed a bit of unfortunate goalkeeping but, after 54 minutes, his hat-trick was confirmed with another shot of 20 yards distance.

An excellent run and cross from Tom Scott-Smith allowed Will Saunders the opportunity at the far post to score the eighth and leave the Angels with a last half-hour in which the foot somewhat came off the pedal. That was duly noted by Academy manager Tommy Parkinson who commented that it had been “a solid performance with a few players missing but standards had dropped in the second half.”

Our friends from Leeds, set off for Sheppey in search of another goalfest which duly arrived in the shape of a 16-2 win for visitors Worthing, before moving on to Plough Lane for the Fourth Round tie that, doubtless, will be considerably more competitive.

PS: Leeds United progressed 3-1 after extra time in the FA Youth Cup

Tonbridge Angels 1 Gillingham 1

Match 70/22/2077 - Tuesday, 31st January 2023 - Kent Senior Cup 2R

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Fagg 3
Gillingham (0) 1 Clarke 77
Tonbridge Angels win 4-1 on penalties
Attendance: 452

Admission: £5 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/4,784

Angels proceed to the quarter finals of the Kent Senior Cup after knocking out Gillingham but needed a penalty shoot to confirm the win.

The home side fielded a strong line up with normal skipper Sonny Miles dropping to the bench and leading scorer Jordan Greenidge rested. Ruben Soares-Junior and Jack Wood were the replacements with Jamie Fielding dropping to the back line. Joe Turner was wearing the captain's arm band.

It took Angels just three minutes to take the lead. Soares-Junior had made a good run down the right and having squared the ball it was eventually picked up by Tommie Fagg whose effort took a wicked deflection and ended up in the back of the net.

Seven minutes later it was again Soares-Junior causing problems for the Gillingham defence but his final effort went just over the bar.

The unmarked Lewis Gard was presented with a big chance on the edge of the area but he ballooned his shot well over the bar.

On 18 minutes the Angels keeper Jonny Henly made a huge save having to adjust his body when a shot came from close in.

Tariq Hinds was catching the eye for the home side on the right with some fine control and was always ready with good distribution.

Jack Wood had a couple of chances for Angels but despite their overall dominance the side was unable to add to the score line. Just before half time Soares-Junior might have supplied that moment but after some fine trickery he ended up too deep and the cross was easy for Gills keeper Jake Turner.

Five minutes into the second half Joe Turner was upended in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Devonte Aransibia took the penalty but Jake Turner made an excellent save to keep the score at 1-0 to the Angels

As the half progressed there were chances for Jack Wood and Joe Turner but following some Tonbridge pressure there was a Gillingham breakaway and Jaden Clarke found himself clear finishing well past Henly to level the scores. v Lewis Gard and Jack Wood had chances to win it for Angels but the game concluded with the dreaded penalty shoot out. Within the mind games of penalty shoot outs, it might be said that the Gills held the advantage having equalised relatively late on and Angels already having missed a spot kick during the game. There was however one distinct advantage for the home side; they won the toss and were facing their own supporters in the South Stand. Historically Angels don't have a particularly good record in these events but in fact it proved rather easy for the home side who scored four times with Gillingham only able to make one of their efforts count. In particular Aransibia who had missed the earlier penalty award bravely stepped up to take the second penalty and made no mistake. The action was capped off when Soares-Junior cheekily chipped Jake Turner which put the tie beyond the reach of Gillingham.

Tonbridge will now face Ramsgate away on a date to be determined.

Afterwards Angels Boss Jay Saunders said: "I wasn't overly pleased with our performance tonight but very pleased to get through to the next round."