Gateshead (0) 0
Halifax (0) 1 Cooke 44
Attendance: 27,374
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 100/8,222
Report
And another season draws to a close, here are some totals
Wednesday 24 May 2023
Gateshead 0 Halifax Town 1
Match 118/22/2124 - Sunday, 21st May 2023 - FA Trophy Final
Gateshead (0) 0
Halifax (0) 1 Cooke 44
Attendance: 27,374
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 100/8,222
Report
And another season draws to a close, here are some totals
Gateshead (0) 0
Halifax (0) 1 Cooke 44
Attendance: 27,374
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 100/8,222
Report
And another season draws to a close, here are some totals
Ascot United 1 Newport Pagnell 0
Match 117/22/2124 - Sunday, 21st May 2023 - FA Vase Final
Ascot United (0) 1 Walters 80
Newport Pagnell (0) 0
Attendance: 27,374
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 100/8,222
Report
Ascot United (0) 1 Walters 80
Newport Pagnell (0) 0
Attendance: 27,374
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 100/8,222
Report
Sunday 14 May 2023
Borden Village 0 Minster 0
Match 116/22/2123 - Saturday, 13th May 2023 - Kent County League Premier
Borden Village (0) 0
Minster (0) 0
Headcount: 186
Admission: Free
New Ground: 356
Mileage: 42/8,122
More season ending eeking, not any old eeking but the Kent County League title decider at Borden Village, the league leaders, who hosted second placed Minster.
Five straight wins had sent Borden Village into the game requiring a point to seal the title. Unfortunately, neither team had the ground grading to be afforded promotion into the SCEFL, but the intriguing match up attracted a headcount of 186, done by the non league doyen, Tony Incenzo.
No floodlights, no seating might have been the stumbling block for Borden, but what they did have was a truly magnificent grass pitch. With this last game over, Borden Playstool will resound to the sound of leather on willow and a very pleasant place to watch a game of cricket, perhaps from the bank that housed quite a few of the attendance.
As the first half unfolded, this looked like a game in which the two sides would eventually cancel each other out. Borden had the best of the chances with livewire winger, Joe Brown going closest with a shot that was well saved by the Minster goalkeeper, Magnus Lewis.
The second half saw the home side encamped in their own half as Minster searched for the goal that would take the title back to the Isle of Sheppey. After 74 minutes, Borden had a chance when Ben Wyness broke clear only to fire over the bar.
With nothing to lose, Minster threw everything at the cause with Matt Wetherley heading over following a corner but their heartbreaking moment came in the final minute with Todd Jordan striking a post and the rebound from Wetherley blocked.
The final whistle brought the expected surge onto the pitch from the bench as this little village near Sittingbourne celebrated their title.
The eeking out has brought a couple of new grounds from the Kent County League and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable dip into this tier.
Borden Village (0) 0
Minster (0) 0
Headcount: 186
Admission: Free
New Ground: 356
Mileage: 42/8,122
More season ending eeking, not any old eeking but the Kent County League title decider at Borden Village, the league leaders, who hosted second placed Minster.
Five straight wins had sent Borden Village into the game requiring a point to seal the title. Unfortunately, neither team had the ground grading to be afforded promotion into the SCEFL, but the intriguing match up attracted a headcount of 186, done by the non league doyen, Tony Incenzo.
No floodlights, no seating might have been the stumbling block for Borden, but what they did have was a truly magnificent grass pitch. With this last game over, Borden Playstool will resound to the sound of leather on willow and a very pleasant place to watch a game of cricket, perhaps from the bank that housed quite a few of the attendance.
As the first half unfolded, this looked like a game in which the two sides would eventually cancel each other out. Borden had the best of the chances with livewire winger, Joe Brown going closest with a shot that was well saved by the Minster goalkeeper, Magnus Lewis.
The second half saw the home side encamped in their own half as Minster searched for the goal that would take the title back to the Isle of Sheppey. After 74 minutes, Borden had a chance when Ben Wyness broke clear only to fire over the bar.
With nothing to lose, Minster threw everything at the cause with Matt Wetherley heading over following a corner but their heartbreaking moment came in the final minute with Todd Jordan striking a post and the rebound from Wetherley blocked.
The final whistle brought the expected surge onto the pitch from the bench as this little village near Sittingbourne celebrated their title.
The eeking out has brought a couple of new grounds from the Kent County League and it has been a thoroughly enjoyable dip into this tier.
Friday 12 May 2023
Ebbsfleet United Academy 2 Tonbridge Angels Academy 3
Match 115/22/2122 - Friday, 12th May 2023 - National League U19 Alliance
Ebbsfleet United (2) 2
Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 3 Vowles 67 Shave 75 Hermitage 89 (pen)
Headcount: 6
Admission: Free
Mileage: 48/8,080
The Academy ended their regular season with a comeback win against Ebbsfleet United, who sit third in the table with one game remaining, with a last minute penalty.
In a season in which, too often, wins have come with ease, the Angels were asked to show that they have a resilience to go with their undoubted talent after a first half, which in truth the Angels performance was as miserable as the weather.
The game, played on Punjab United’s back pitch, saw Tonbridge missing four regular starters and needing to use their only two substitutes in the first 25 minutes as both Will Saunders and Shea Brennan limped out of the game.
The home side were in front after eight minutes and the Angels were on the back foot for much of the opening period, going two behind after 15 minutes when a cross from the left was converted with a far post header as defensively, unusually, the Angels were floundering.
As the game unfolded, going down the considerable slope was proved to be a disadvantage, especially as the rain gave the pitch a bit of extra pace. The first real chance created by the visitors fell to Josh McArthur who directed a header at the goalkeeper.
Further chances fell to Hayden Velvick, following a cross from Leo Vowles and a fine move between the same two, just before the break, were both saved by the Ebbsfleet goalkeeper.
As the teams found respite from the rain in the dressing rooms, the Angels could have few complaints at finding themselves two behind and a revitalised side emerged for the second period although the first couple of chances, that cleared the bar, fell to the home side.
With Vowles enjoying a lot of the ball down the right hand side pressure began to mount on Ebbsfleet. Successive corners saw a Kian Austin header saved and, just past the hour, Billy Robbins struck a shot just wide.
The breakthrough finally came on 67 minutes when a cross from Ben Hermitage saw Vowles arriving at the far post to steer the ball home.
The Angels were level on 75 minutes when a cross from Vowles was turned in by substitute Alex Shave, who also saw a header, three minutes later, go marginally wide.
Tonbridge pressed hard for the winner and it finally came in the last minute when the goalkeeper spilled a cross and in his efforts to retrieve the ball brought down Velvick for a clear penalty. Hermitage converted from the spot for his 49th goal of the season, despite the best efforts of the keeper.
The Angels go forward to the post-season Champions of Champions Cup having the best record across the 11 divisions with 144 goals and only 13 conceded with only one defeat.
At the time of writing, the first opponents in the Champions Cup were unknown.
Ebbsfleet United (2) 2
Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 3 Vowles 67 Shave 75 Hermitage 89 (pen)
Headcount: 6
Admission: Free
Mileage: 48/8,080
The Academy ended their regular season with a comeback win against Ebbsfleet United, who sit third in the table with one game remaining, with a last minute penalty.
In a season in which, too often, wins have come with ease, the Angels were asked to show that they have a resilience to go with their undoubted talent after a first half, which in truth the Angels performance was as miserable as the weather.
The game, played on Punjab United’s back pitch, saw Tonbridge missing four regular starters and needing to use their only two substitutes in the first 25 minutes as both Will Saunders and Shea Brennan limped out of the game.
The home side were in front after eight minutes and the Angels were on the back foot for much of the opening period, going two behind after 15 minutes when a cross from the left was converted with a far post header as defensively, unusually, the Angels were floundering.
As the game unfolded, going down the considerable slope was proved to be a disadvantage, especially as the rain gave the pitch a bit of extra pace. The first real chance created by the visitors fell to Josh McArthur who directed a header at the goalkeeper.
Further chances fell to Hayden Velvick, following a cross from Leo Vowles and a fine move between the same two, just before the break, were both saved by the Ebbsfleet goalkeeper.
As the teams found respite from the rain in the dressing rooms, the Angels could have few complaints at finding themselves two behind and a revitalised side emerged for the second period although the first couple of chances, that cleared the bar, fell to the home side.
With Vowles enjoying a lot of the ball down the right hand side pressure began to mount on Ebbsfleet. Successive corners saw a Kian Austin header saved and, just past the hour, Billy Robbins struck a shot just wide.
The breakthrough finally came on 67 minutes when a cross from Ben Hermitage saw Vowles arriving at the far post to steer the ball home.
The Angels were level on 75 minutes when a cross from Vowles was turned in by substitute Alex Shave, who also saw a header, three minutes later, go marginally wide.
Tonbridge pressed hard for the winner and it finally came in the last minute when the goalkeeper spilled a cross and in his efforts to retrieve the ball brought down Velvick for a clear penalty. Hermitage converted from the spot for his 49th goal of the season, despite the best efforts of the keeper.
The Angels go forward to the post-season Champions of Champions Cup having the best record across the 11 divisions with 144 goals and only 13 conceded with only one defeat.
At the time of writing, the first opponents in the Champions Cup were unknown.
Monday 8 May 2023
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 3 Tunbridge Wells U23 2
Match 114/22/2121 - Monday, 8th May 2023 - SCEFL Development
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 2 Cheek 67 (pen) Juniper 80 Ruler 90+1
Tunbridge Wells U23 (2) 2 Lambert 12,34
Attendance: 75
Admission: £2
Mileage: 1/8,032
More end of season eeking and, should I want to (not particularly), the SCEFL Development League has a bevy of unplayed fixtures due to the wet winter and clubs preserving their pitches for their senior teams. Clubs have been given until 19th May to fulfil their fixtures after which the games will be voided.
Tunbridge Wells Under-23's arrived at the Jubilee with just the one substitute, a goalkeeper, and he was pressed into action as an outfield player within the opening minutes as striker Fin Hartley limped out of the game.
Tunbridge Wells made light of their disadvantage going into the break two goals up through a brace from Max Lambert who opened the scoring with a driven shot into the bottom corner after 12 minutes and a stab home from close range after 34 minutes.
Staplehurst, who were also without substitutes, set out the second half with an intent to retrieve the game and rattled the woodwork and had close calls in front of call before they were handed a route back into the game when Max Juniper was brought down for Connor Cheek to convert from the spot. Ten minutes remained when Juniper scrambled the ball over the line after the Wells failed to clear their lines. A really good game deserved a cracking winner and it duly came for the home side in the first minute of added after close range chances had gone begging the ball fell at the feet of Ollie Ruler whose 20 yard shot into the top corner whistled past the keeper.
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 2 Cheek 67 (pen) Juniper 80 Ruler 90+1
Tunbridge Wells U23 (2) 2 Lambert 12,34
Attendance: 75
Admission: £2
Mileage: 1/8,032
More end of season eeking and, should I want to (not particularly), the SCEFL Development League has a bevy of unplayed fixtures due to the wet winter and clubs preserving their pitches for their senior teams. Clubs have been given until 19th May to fulfil their fixtures after which the games will be voided.
Tunbridge Wells Under-23's arrived at the Jubilee with just the one substitute, a goalkeeper, and he was pressed into action as an outfield player within the opening minutes as striker Fin Hartley limped out of the game.
Tunbridge Wells made light of their disadvantage going into the break two goals up through a brace from Max Lambert who opened the scoring with a driven shot into the bottom corner after 12 minutes and a stab home from close range after 34 minutes.
Staplehurst, who were also without substitutes, set out the second half with an intent to retrieve the game and rattled the woodwork and had close calls in front of call before they were handed a route back into the game when Max Juniper was brought down for Connor Cheek to convert from the spot. Ten minutes remained when Juniper scrambled the ball over the line after the Wells failed to clear their lines. A really good game deserved a cracking winner and it duly came for the home side in the first minute of added after close range chances had gone begging the ball fell at the feet of Ollie Ruler whose 20 yard shot into the top corner whistled past the keeper.
Saturday 6 May 2023
Tenterden Town 6 Red Velvet 1
Match 113/22/2120 - Saturday, 6th May 2023 - Kent County League Premier
Tenterden Town (3) 6 Burton 18 Large 30,33 (pen) Sharp 59,80 Constable 90
Red Velvet (0) 1
Headcount: 26
Admission: Free
New Ground: 355
Mileage: 25/8,031
Having dutifully done my duty to King and Country and sat quietly through two hours of the Coronation, I skipped out of the balcony appearance and the Red Arrows in favour of eeking out my season at Kent County League Tenterden Town, a local hop of around 20 minutes.
The Recreation Ground, is little more than a roped off pitch, that was in good condition at the end of a long, wet season, with a changing room pavilion that offered shelter on a wet day.
In a modest headcount of 26, ex-Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow was spotted whilst on the pitch, ex-Cray Wanderers manager Ian Jenkins was left back for the visitors, Red Velvet and on as a second half substitute came a county football legend in Andy Constable, perhaps now past his best fighting weight but still finding the net with the final goal.
The game was very watchable and a decent standard, although my knowledge of this league is negligible so it came a surprise that the home side, hovering just above the relegation places ran out 6-1 winners against fourth placed Red Velvet, who next week contest the Kent Intermediate Cup Final at the Gallagher.
Tenterden took a 3-0 lead into the half-time break courtesy of some poor defending from crosses into the box that allowed two close range headers. A penalty awarded after a Tenterden player was brought down was tucked away into the bottom corner.
Red Velvet’s defensive frailty saw them fail to play out from the back and give the ball away to allow a shot into the top corner for the home side's fourth on the hour.
The visitors, who hadn’t been without attacking intentions throughout the game, managed to pull a goal back on 73 minutes when a cross was converted at close range.
Two late goals as a walked around the pitch towards the car eased the home side to a very comfortable victory.
Tenterden Town (3) 6 Burton 18 Large 30,33 (pen) Sharp 59,80 Constable 90
Red Velvet (0) 1
Headcount: 26
Admission: Free
New Ground: 355
Mileage: 25/8,031
Having dutifully done my duty to King and Country and sat quietly through two hours of the Coronation, I skipped out of the balcony appearance and the Red Arrows in favour of eeking out my season at Kent County League Tenterden Town, a local hop of around 20 minutes.
The Recreation Ground, is little more than a roped off pitch, that was in good condition at the end of a long, wet season, with a changing room pavilion that offered shelter on a wet day.
In a modest headcount of 26, ex-Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow was spotted whilst on the pitch, ex-Cray Wanderers manager Ian Jenkins was left back for the visitors, Red Velvet and on as a second half substitute came a county football legend in Andy Constable, perhaps now past his best fighting weight but still finding the net with the final goal.
The game was very watchable and a decent standard, although my knowledge of this league is negligible so it came a surprise that the home side, hovering just above the relegation places ran out 6-1 winners against fourth placed Red Velvet, who next week contest the Kent Intermediate Cup Final at the Gallagher.
Tenterden took a 3-0 lead into the half-time break courtesy of some poor defending from crosses into the box that allowed two close range headers. A penalty awarded after a Tenterden player was brought down was tucked away into the bottom corner.
Red Velvet’s defensive frailty saw them fail to play out from the back and give the ball away to allow a shot into the top corner for the home side's fourth on the hour.
The visitors, who hadn’t been without attacking intentions throughout the game, managed to pull a goal back on 73 minutes when a cross was converted at close range.
Monday 1 May 2023
Crowborough 1 Newhavan 2
Match 112/22/2119 - Monday, 1st May 2023 - Southern Combination Challenge Cup Final
Crowborough (0) 1 Lambert 90+2
Newhaven (0) 2 Franzen-Jones 60 Bennett 75
Estimated Attendance: 300
Admission: £4
Programme: With entry
New Ground: 354
Mileage: 145/8,006
Groundhops don’t always go to plan and it’s fair to say that this one was a bit of a ‘mare!
A new ground in Hassocks, of the Southern Combination, plus a cup final for Crowborough, who feature some Tonbridge youngsters, on a Bank Holiday was a temptation not to be resisted.
Let’s start with the world’s most wondrous and, at the same time, frustrating invention, the satnav! Now, I understand that traffic itself is going to dictate the journey time but what I don’t get is why Google Maps on my phone gave me a distance of 40-odd miles in one direction but the satnav in my car, supposedly driven by Google Maps, takes me in a different direction for 70 miles and then, fails to find the actual place!
Consequently, I was late for the kick-off, car park full and didn’t do my walk round to view the ground from different places. Hassocks is a pleasant little ground, in a rural setting, with a full length stand one side and the clubhouse on the other with a grass bank behind one goal and flat standing at the other end.
At least it was still goalless when I finally took my place and viewing the remainder of the first period it was easy to see why although Crowborough did rattle the bar after 40 minutes through Ollie Hyland.
The game livened up in the second half. Newhaven scored the opening goal on 70 minutes direct from a corner through Lukas Franzen-Jones, arguably against the run of play, although Martin Grant had been forced to save well in conceding the corner.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 with a cheeky back heel from Charlie Bennett following a scuffed shot that wasn’t going to trouble anyone.
By this time, and to make my day complete, the heavens had opened and, I mean opened as torrential rain lashed down with the small amount of cover in front of the clubhouse quickly taken. As the match entered time added and absolutely soaked, I decided enough was enough and made for the exit making it out of the ground as a cheer went up to celebrate Jacob Lambert’s consolation goal for the Crows.
Some days are just not meant to be!
Crowborough (0) 1 Lambert 90+2
Newhaven (0) 2 Franzen-Jones 60 Bennett 75
Estimated Attendance: 300
Admission: £4
Programme: With entry
New Ground: 354
Mileage: 145/8,006
A new ground in Hassocks, of the Southern Combination, plus a cup final for Crowborough, who feature some Tonbridge youngsters, on a Bank Holiday was a temptation not to be resisted.
Let’s start with the world’s most wondrous and, at the same time, frustrating invention, the satnav! Now, I understand that traffic itself is going to dictate the journey time but what I don’t get is why Google Maps on my phone gave me a distance of 40-odd miles in one direction but the satnav in my car, supposedly driven by Google Maps, takes me in a different direction for 70 miles and then, fails to find the actual place!
Consequently, I was late for the kick-off, car park full and didn’t do my walk round to view the ground from different places. Hassocks is a pleasant little ground, in a rural setting, with a full length stand one side and the clubhouse on the other with a grass bank behind one goal and flat standing at the other end.
At least it was still goalless when I finally took my place and viewing the remainder of the first period it was easy to see why although Crowborough did rattle the bar after 40 minutes through Ollie Hyland.
The game livened up in the second half. Newhaven scored the opening goal on 70 minutes direct from a corner through Lukas Franzen-Jones, arguably against the run of play, although Martin Grant had been forced to save well in conceding the corner.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 with a cheeky back heel from Charlie Bennett following a scuffed shot that wasn’t going to trouble anyone.
By this time, and to make my day complete, the heavens had opened and, I mean opened as torrential rain lashed down with the small amount of cover in front of the clubhouse quickly taken. As the match entered time added and absolutely soaked, I decided enough was enough and made for the exit making it out of the ground as a cheer went up to celebrate Jacob Lambert’s consolation goal for the Crows.
Some days are just not meant to be!
Tonbridge Angels 1 Cheshunt 0
Match 111/22/2118 - Saturday, 29th April 2023 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Greenidge 45
Cheshunt (0) 0
Attendance: 1.448
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/7,861
And so, at the blink of an eye, the season was done.
Tonbridge Angels achieved more National South points (70) than ever before; 20 wins for the first time and a highest league position. The play-offs were flirted with but, despite the aforementioned, fell just a little short.
But real progress was made with the 3G surface at the heart of it. Attendances have grown from an average last season of 832 to 1,047 an increase of 26%; the kids soccer camps have been putting out the sold out signs and with it the demographic is getting younger.
The Awards Presentation Evening followed the game with the Marquee packed like I have never seen it before for previous end of season events. There is a positive feeling surrounding the club, and has been all season, so it was disappointing, to say the least, that the decision to commission a new club badge has proved so divisive. Nailing my opinion to the mast, initially and being a traditionalist, I didn’t think it was necessary but attended the video conferences and understood the reasoning even if I still didn’t agree but was prepared to see what materialised. Unfortunately, the design was a long way from what I had hoped and that was the same for many people. Even a redesign following feedback left it falling short in many supporters eyes. We have to embrace change, but does it have to be so radical?
The game itself was an end-of-season affair, won in added time at the end of the first half when Jordan Greenidge added his 17th goal of a successful loan spell.
Emotional farewells were bade to skipper Sonny Miles, who leaves the club with a record 527 appearances to his name and chairman Dave Netherstreet who steps down with Sophie Purves becoming the new chair.
Undoubtedly, the summer will see a great deal of changes. Manager Jay Saunders is not one to stand still, he saw this season as a transitional one and the next step has to be a place inside the play-offs with the new chair harbouring similar ambition.
Damn the badge, but let's not allow that define a season of positivity!
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Greenidge 45
Cheshunt (0) 0
Attendance: 1.448
Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 38/7,861
And so, at the blink of an eye, the season was done.
But real progress was made with the 3G surface at the heart of it. Attendances have grown from an average last season of 832 to 1,047 an increase of 26%; the kids soccer camps have been putting out the sold out signs and with it the demographic is getting younger.
The Awards Presentation Evening followed the game with the Marquee packed like I have never seen it before for previous end of season events. There is a positive feeling surrounding the club, and has been all season, so it was disappointing, to say the least, that the decision to commission a new club badge has proved so divisive. Nailing my opinion to the mast, initially and being a traditionalist, I didn’t think it was necessary but attended the video conferences and understood the reasoning even if I still didn’t agree but was prepared to see what materialised. Unfortunately, the design was a long way from what I had hoped and that was the same for many people. Even a redesign following feedback left it falling short in many supporters eyes. We have to embrace change, but does it have to be so radical?
The game itself was an end-of-season affair, won in added time at the end of the first half when Jordan Greenidge added his 17th goal of a successful loan spell.
Emotional farewells were bade to skipper Sonny Miles, who leaves the club with a record 527 appearances to his name and chairman Dave Netherstreet who steps down with Sophie Purves becoming the new chair.
Undoubtedly, the summer will see a great deal of changes. Manager Jay Saunders is not one to stand still, he saw this season as a transitional one and the next step has to be a place inside the play-offs with the new chair harbouring similar ambition.
Damn the badge, but let's not allow that define a season of positivity!
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