Larkfield & New Hythe 3 Staplehurst Monarchs 1

Match 99/23/2222 - Saturday, 30th March 2024 - SCEFL Division One

Larkfield & New Hythe (2) 3 Walker 33 Day 39 Babington 62
Staplehurst Monarchs (0) 1 Watson (pen) 49
Attendance: 201
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 22/6,978

Staplehurst Monarchs suffered a set back in their march to the SCEFL Division One play-offs but whilst it should not prove fatal in that quest, it might prove a pivotal defeat in the all-important battle for a top three place and a home tie in the post-season finale.

Larkfield and New Hythe, with this win, now stand four points adrift of the Monarchs but with two games in hand.

A bumper Easter Saturday crowd were treated to a feisty encounter that saw the home side, with perhaps the most to lose, play with an aggression that sailed pretty close to the wind at times but without doubt brought a deserved three points.

From the first minute when a great block from a Staplehurst defender denied an early goal, it was obvious that the home side were “up for it” with as much noise coming from the pitch as from the assembled crowd.

Staplehurst had decent chances on six minutes when the eccentric Larkfield goalkeeper, Jordan Carey, saved from Omar El Mantaway with the follow-up turned wide and on nine minutes when Harley Gorse headed over but after the visiting goalkeeper, Steve Lawrence, had made a brilliant reaction save to turn over a header from Tyrell Richardson, the resultant corner found its way to the left side of the box from where Fraser Walker drove low and cleanly into the bottom corner.

Larkfield doubled their advantage on 39 minutes when Matt Day beautifully flighted a free kick over the Staplehurst wall leaving Lawrence helpless.

Staplehurst were given a helping hand back into the game early in the second half when the referee awarded them a hotly disputed penalty which was converted by Connor Watson which brought a spell in which they threatened to pull the game level but Larkfield regained their momentum and regained their two goal advantage just past the hour with a close range header from Timmy Babington.

The final half-hour was one of attrition and not very easy on the eye but Larkfield saw the game out with relative ease to gain the vital three points.

Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 98/23/2221 - Friday, 29th March 2024 - National League South

Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 2,031
Admission: £15 Senior
Mileage: 104/6,956

This stage of the season for a club marooned in mid-table has the feel of the last couple of games of pre-season, just want them done and onto the real thing.

Make no mistake, another time and this would have been deemed a great result against a team, fourth in the table and with a place in the playoffs within their grasp. Tonbridge were the better side and had the better chances but despite the contrasting styles, ultimately the two teams cancelled each other out.

It was a strange day at Hampton and Richmond Borough’s Beveree Stadium. Previous visits have seen Tuesday night attendances of 400-odd and an atmosphere as dull as dishwater. But a Good Friday Easter egg hunt brought out the kids and their parents resulting in an unbelievable attendance of over 2,000 but an atmosphere, Angels supporters excepted, still as dull as dishwater.

Jay Saunders welcomed back Nathan Odokonyero, Sean Shields and Jernade Meade with Matty Macarthur and Lewis Gard dropping to the bench with Scott Wagstaff also unfit.

Neither team made much impression in the opening quarter hour until Shields floated an exquisite ball from the left to the right side of the box where Tariq Hinds didn’t quite make a full connection allowing his volley to be pushed to safety by the Hampton goalkeeper, Adam Desbois.

The stalemate in terms of real chances continued until the 38th minute when Shields effort was touch over the bar.

Jonny Henly, on his 300th appearance, made his first real save, and a very good one, diving low to his left to save a Tope Fadahunsi header.

For a large part of the second half, the game looked to have a goalless draw written all over it. Hampton’s style is not easy on the eye with long balls launched into the south-west London sky, many of which were overhit by the proverbial mile. All of which required the concentration of the Tonbridge back line to which they dealt with competently leaving Henly without a save to make in the entire half.

The Angels best chance came in the 81st minute when Odokonyero was denied as Desbois saved.

My own record of never having seen more than one goal in a game at the Beveree remains and never seemed threatened.

Tonbridge Angels Women 2 Tunbridge Wells Foresters Women 4

Match 97/23/2220 - Sunday, 24th March 2024 - KCFA Women's Plate SF

Tonbridge Angels Women (1) 2 Mayhead 16 Kemp 79
Tunbridge Wells Foresters Women (1) 4 Stokes 9,73,90+3 Wignall 58
Attendance: 136
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/6,852

Tonbridge Angels Women departed the KCFA Women’s Plate at the semi-final stage with their heads held high having stretched their Kent Premier Division opponents, Tunbridge Wells Foresters, all the way until an added time goal made the game safe for the visitors.

Whilst congratulating and wishing his opponents good luck in the final, manager Joe Rowe was proud of his team’s performance: “I think all of us come away from today disappointed in the result but proud of our efforts and to get to the semi final. The team gave everything and on another day we may have got the result we wanted but today Foresters were the deserved winners. Our challenge now is to use this feeling as a catalyst to ensure we finish the season strong and have something to show for what has been a very positive opening season for the team.”

An impressive attendance of 136 that had assembled in bright late afternoon sunshine to see these local rivals go head-to-head and they would have left Longmead Stadium having seen a competitive match of great quality.

The Angels enjoyed the better of the opening moments with a Charlotte Cresswell effort clearing the bar before Foresters went ahead after nine minutes when a cross from Adi Stapleton-Berry found its way to the far post from where Annabel Stokes swept the ball home.

Tonbridge responded positively and were level on 16 minutes when a cross from Jade Folkard was fired home by Grace Mayhead.

As the half unfolded, Tonbridge were the equals of their opponents with chances for Cresswell and Mayhead, although the Angels goalkeeper, Ashleigh Rhodes needed to be at her best saving well following a Foresters corner and earlier Stapleton-Berry had an opportunity cleared from the line.

Tunbridge Wells Foresters dominated the opening quarter-hour of the second half and eventually got their reward on 58 minutes when Rona Wignall was sent clear to finish well past Rhodes.

When Stokes added a third on 73 minutes the tie looked all but done but the Angels staged a spirited recovery that saw a free kick from Amanda Beeput recycled from the right into the box for Beth Kemp to volley past the Wells goalkeeper.

The goal set up a grandstand finish that saw chances fall to Aimee Churchill before in the third of five added minutes, a fortunate rebound saw Stokes stride clear to finish clinically and complete her hat trick.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Truro City 1

Match 96/23/2219 - Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Higgs 84 Fielding 90+3
Truro City (0) 1 Josh Hinds 65
Attendance: 1,033
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,814

Jordan Higgs had one of those days! At fault for the goal that saw the Angels slip behind, his shot from the left side of the penalty area brought his side level before a last gasp winner from Jamie Fielding sealed the points with Higgs taking home the Man of the Match award.

On a day at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium when early arrivals were greeted with a hailstorm but the afternoon turned to bright sunshine, Jay Saunders’ hand was forced with illness and injury hitting the squad. Sean Shields (illness), Nathan Odokonyero and Kodi Lyons-Foster (injuries) dropped out of the squad with Matty Mcarthur making his first start whilst Lewis Gard and Scott Wagstaff returned to the starting XI.

The first half was largely dominated by the Angels, who employed Gard as their furthest forward, but it was little more than gentle probing and the visiting Cornishmen packed their rearguard limiting the home side to precious few openings, the best of which fell to Wagstaff who shot over after two minutes and a free kick from Liam Vincent that similarly cleared the bar.

At the other end, Jonny Henly was largely unemployed, fielding with ease an effort from Connor Riley-Lowe, under a challenge from Mo Dabre.

The second half started and continued in much the same vein. An early chance for Macarthur was too high and, on 58 minutes, Higgs danced his way into the box but found himself crowded out by the massed ranks of red and black striped shirts.

Skipper Scott Wagstaff, who had taken a ball in the face in the first half, was substituted for Josh Popoola.

It was almost unthinkable that, on 65 minutes, Truro took the lead when Higgs stumbled on the ball on the edge of his box to be robbed by Josh Hinds (Tariq’s brother) who had an open goal to roll the ball into.

Tonbridge continued to push forward in search of something out of the game with Academy striker Hayden Velvick now on the pitch and finally, with six minutes remaining, Truro’s resistance was broken when a corner was only partially cleared to Higgs whose cleanly hit shot nestled into the bottom corner.

Now searching a winner, Jamie Fielding was pressed forward and the chances began to open up for the Angels with Gard firing over; Higgs steering a header wide from Liam Vincent’s cross before, in the third of five added minutes, Popoola wriggled his way to the byline to despatch a low cross that evaded bodies to find Fielding at the back post to touch home.

Artois 3 Welling Town 3

Match 95/23/2218 - Friday, 22nd March 2024 - Maidstone & Mid Kent Sunday League Challenge Cup Final

Artois (2) 3
Welling Town (1) 3
Artois won 4-3 on penalties
Attendance: 461
Played at Gallagher Stadium
Admission: £5
Mileage: 20/6,776

Chatham Town U18 0 Tonbridge Angels U18 5

Match 94/23/2217 - Monday, 18th March 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Chatham Town U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 5 Puffette 3 Honarvar 24,85 Aberdeen 32 McLeod 90
Attendance: 50
Admission: £1 Senior
Mileage: 32/6,756

Four games, all away from home, will draw down the curtain on the season. Mathematically the league can still be won, but realistically as high position as can be attained would be a fitting conclusion to a season which has already seen the highest points total gained since reformation of the Under-18’s. And for those now over-18’s who depart for universities, home and abroad or futures of their choice, leaving clutching a runners-up medal would be just reward.

The first step towards this objective was taken with a comfortable 5-0 win at Chatham Town on Monday evening. Dom Welsh said after the game: “Strong performance, five goals away and a clean sheet. We were ruthless in the first half followed by a slightly wasteful second but dominant throughout and some outstanding displays in the final third.”

The scene was set for the evening as early as the third minute when Will Puffette was allowed to touch home at the near post following a corner.

Chatham had a decent chance after 20 minutes pressing Toby Edwards into action with a low save but chances for the Angels to extend their lead had already fallen before the second goal, in rather bizarre fashion, on 24 minutes. Sam Firman danced his way through a couple of chances before his shot was saved, but then dropped by the Chats goalkeeper for Cameron Honarvar to stab home.

After 32 minutes, the Angels went three clear when a long ball forward was collected by Honarvar who rolled it into the path of Nijae Aberdeen to score his first goal for the club.

The second half was largely one-way traffic and it was both surprising, and wasteful, that it took until the 85th minute for a fourth to be scored when Puffette picked out Honarvar to run clear and score past the advancing goalkeeper.

The game was wrapped up in the final minute of regular time when Honarvar, turned provider for Fin McLeod to score into the bottom corner.

Tonbridge Angels 4 Torquay United 1

Match 93/23/2216 - Saturday, 16th March 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 4 Hinds 22 Odokonyero 71,76 Shields 72
Torquay United (0) 1 Ash 79
Attendance: 1,308
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,724

Tonbridge Angels supporters departed the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium full of the joys of spring after watching their favourites demolish Torquay United with three second half goals in a five minute spell. For the visitors, it was the end of a terrible week that had seen a 10 point deduction following their intention to go into receivership.

After a morning of sunshine, cloud cover was hardly spring-like as Jay Saunders made two changes from the side beaten at Aveley on Monday. Kodi Lyons-Foster and Ryan Hanson returned following injury with Jernade Meade and club captain Scott Wagstaff, who had been ill this week, dropping to the bench.

A healthy contingent of Torquay supporters had defied the M25 closure to take their places in an attendance of 1,308.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes the game sprang to life with Torquay’s goalkeeper, Mark Halstead, making a superb save to deny Hanson’s header at the near post from a Sean Shields corner.

Within a minute, the visitors had a great chance when a cross into the box from Bradley Ash found Aaron Jarvis who dwelt too long allowing Jonny Henly to smother at his feet.

Tonbridge took a 22nd minute lead when Shields released Liam Vincent down the left and from his low cross, Tariq Hinds scored from close range at the far post.

The game was delayed when referee Dan England was struck on the head with the ball and within a minute of the official recovering after treatment, Jordan Higgs was similarly struck.

Six minutes before the break, Torquay went close when a cross from Jack Stobbs was back headed by Tom Lapslie but his effort nestled on the roof of the net.

On the cusp of half-time, Nathan Odokonyero saw his effort deflected narrowly wide.

The early part of the second half saw an Odokonyero shot saved by Halstead and after a fine interchange between Hinds and Odokonyero, Shields saw his space denied and the ball was scrambled to safety.

Torquay had a spell in which they dominated the possession before a five minute spell from the Angels saw them surge into an unassailable four goal lead. On 71 minutes Shields sent Odokonyero clear to cooly convert one-on-one with the goalkeeper and a minute later an audacious lob from the right side of the penalty area from Shields left Halstead helpless.

On 76 minutes, brilliant footwork from Odokonyero made space for a shot into the bottom corner and despite Bradley Ash scoring a 79th minute consolation goal for the Gulls the game was as good as done.

The announcement of Ryan Hanson as the Man of the Match brought a complimentary chant from the supporters of his ex-club before the final whistle brought disgruntled boos from same fans whilst the Angels supporters celebrated joyously at the other end.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 7 Maidstone United Academy 2

Match 92/23/2215 - Wednesday, 13th March 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 7 Velvick 47,83,86 Shave 65,71, C.Dudley 75, F.Dudley 81
Maidstone United Academy (2) 2 Kiel 30,37
Headcount: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/6,686

Aveley 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 91/23/2214 - Monday, 11th March 2024 - National League South

Aveley (1) 2 De-Graft 35 Ogunrinde 52
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Odokonyero 47 (pen)
Attendance: 337
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 92/6,648

Tonbridge Angels slipped to a narrow defeat on a chilly evening at Aveley’s Parkside Stadium.

Promotion, through the play-off route, chasing Aveley scored a goal in each half to further their credentials for the post-season finale.

Jay Saunders made two changes from Saturday’s drawn game at Havant with Scott Wagstaff returning from suspension for Ryan Hanson (injured) and Jernade Meade for Kodi Lyons-Foster, who was withdrawn injured at half-time on Saturday.

Tonbridge made the early running in the first half, forcing early corners and, in the 11th minute, Liam Vincent playing further forward than his normal full back position, was denied by Aveley goalkeeper Jonathan North’s feet that deflected the ball away for a corner.

Vincent was very much to the fore seeing a shot blocked and on 32 minutes, a header from a Sean Shields cross that cleared the bar was a great chance.

Three minutes later the Angels were behind when the home side broke away down the left that ended with Razzaq Coleman De-Graft shooting across the goal to find the bottom right hand corner.

Tonbridge had mainly been the equals of their hosts but nonetheless went into the break with that one goal deficit. This was quickly equalised in the second half when following an effort from Nathan Odokonyero that was turned away for a corner from which Ethan Sutcliffe was bundled to the ground with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Odokonyero sent North the wrong way as he converted the penalty.

Unfortunately parity lasted a matter of moments as Jason Ring sent a cross into the box, that one being half-cleared back to Ring who recrossed this time for Manny Ogunrinde to fire into the bottom corner.

The hosts largely took control of the game following the goal. Odokonyero’s snap shot on 62 minutes cleared the bar whilst, at the other end, Ogunrinde fired over and shot into the side netting.

Jay Saunders shuffled his team bringing on Josh Popoola and Francis Mampolo but solid defending from the home side offered very little in the way of opportunities, apart from an almighty scramble in the six yard box that saw a couple of scuffed hits before North fell on the ball.

One last chance fell Odokonyero’s way but this drifted wide of the right hand post before the referee’s whistle saw the reasonably sized Angels contingent heading, disappointed, towards the QE2 bridge.

Havant & Waterlooville 2 Tonbridge Angels 2

Match 90/23/2213 - Saturday, 9th March 2024 - National League South

Havant & Waterlooville (2) 2 McCarthy 14 Seager 25
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Hinds 6 Dabre 47
Attendance: 975
Admission: £10 Senior
Mileage: 204/6,556

Motivation might well be the watchword for the last six weeks of the season.

For Tonbridge Angels, the season is done. The last eight games will designate whether a finish is top half or not and the manager will shape his squad for another tilt in August.

Off the pitch, thankfully the long journeys are done and so the lack of motivation to get up on a Saturday morning and hack 150 miles or more west is no longer an issue.

The last of the long car journeys took us on a 200 mile round trip to Hampshire and a game that felt like an end of season affair but really should not have done with Havant and Waterlooville fighting for points to avoid relegation. It was a game of missed chances, four goals but there was something lacking in its intensity and on the terraces there almost seemed an air of disinterest.

Who knows what has gone wrong at Havant? There are players there that other clubs would covet, there are players such as Jack Jebb, that are sitting on their bench that I would covet.

Jay Saunders, without Scott Wagstaff serving the second of his two match suspension, fielded the same side as against Eastbourne last time out, with the only changes, significant ones, on the bench where Jordan Greenidge will no longer sit following his departure to Dartford and the arrival of Josh Popoola.

The Angels gave their slightly smaller than usual away following early cheer with a sixth minute lead from Tariq Hinds, who fired in from 12 yards following an excellent run into the box from Nathan Odokonyero.

The lead wasn’t to last when a pass from the left from James Roberts was laid across the edge of the box from where Jake McCarthy was afforded time and space to pick out the top corner.

Odokonyero was leading the Havant defence a dance and once more jinked his way into space but lifted his shot over the bar before, on 25 minutes, the home side went ahead with a well-taken header from Ryan Seager from a right wing cross by Callum Kealy.

Havant had two headed chances to extend their lead before, on 35 minutes, goalkeeper Ross Worner was forced to make a good reaction save to deny Joe McNerney turning Odokonyero’s cross into his own goal.

The Angels came out for the second half positively with Sean Shields testing Worner early before a short corner routine from Shields and Lewis Gard fed the ball to the edge of the box from where Mo Dabre curled a shot into the bottom corner.

A home point was of little value to Havant and Waterlooville and they pressed hard for an winner but their shooting was wayward on several occasions.

A draw was probably a fair result and for a fourth time in four visits to Westleigh Park there was no winner but at least the goalscoring was doubled on this occasion.

Ebbsfleet United Academy 7 Tonbridge Angels Academy 0

Match 89/23/2212 - Wednesdayday, 6th March 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Ebbsfleet United Academy (5) 7
Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 0
Headcount: 18
Admission: Free
Mileage: 56/6,352
Played at Kedbull Leisure
New Ground: 385

Kedbull Leisure is a new facility that is being developed by ex-Gillingham favourite Danny Kedwell. It is based on the site of Fleet Leisure and Social Club that burnt to the ground in 2017 after closing its doors in 2013. The site is vast and presently one corner is occupied by a full-sized 3G fenced off and, alongside there is a nine-a-side 3G. Further development planned will see a full-sized grass pitch, four seven-a-side 3G plus a clubhouse that will incorporate a gym, classrooms, dressing rooms and offices.

As to the match, well I leave what was the worse defeat for Tonbridge Angels Academy since its reformation to the words of Academy manager, Tommy Parkinson: “Easy to hide away from these type of results but this is the reality and being accountable for being well beaten. A very poor first half performance from the Elite squad left too much to do in the second half. Over three or four years we have set very high standards as an Academy, ensuring we maintain them and match other teams desire and effort to beat us is very important and something we failed to show today.”

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Cray Valley U18 2

Match 88/23/2211 - Monday, 4th March 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 Puffette 56
Cray Valley PM U18 (1) 2 Boyle 12 Chukwujekwu 78
Attendance: 51
Admission: £3
Mileage: 38/6,296

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s home campaign concluded in defeat at the hands of Cray Valley PM, for whom consecutive title wins is in their hands but they face a gruelling backlog of fixtures to make up the ground on leaders Welling United.

A highly competitive game hinged on a brilliant penalty save from Cray Valley’s Aiden Wicks and some steadfast defending after going down to 10 men when Stanley Flockton was sent off.

The opening 15 minutes saw equal possession but the visitors created the early chances before taking a 12th minute lead when a cross from the left found Riley Boyle at the far post for a tap in from close range.

Tonbridge might have found a quick response when a well worked move involving Noah Millis and Felix Waring ended with Cameron Honarvar shooting narrowly wide.

The game ebbed and flowed with a good tempo with chances at both ends. Boyle brought a good save out of Toby Edwards and Cray Valley had the ball in the net on 24 minutes only to be ruled offside and, for the Angels, Adam Larkin headed wide from a Waring corner.

An already excellent game that had unfolded in the first half was set to get even better in the second as the Angels took the game to the champions. Millis shot wide before, on 56 minutes, a free kick into the box from Reuben Etherington found the head of Ben Martin-Coward to direct across the face of goal for skipper Will Puffette to tuck home.

Tonbridge were awarded a penalty kick in the 66th minute when a through ball from Etherington saw Honavar bundled to the ground. In the arguments that followed, Flockton received a yellow card. Etherington was made to wait a long time before his spot kick that was well struck but Wicks made a brilliant low save.

Two minutes later, Flockton launched into a reckless challenge on Honarvar and was shown a second yellow.

An unnecessary loss of possession in midfield was costly on 78 minutes with Obi Igwe breaking down the left to cross for Arinze Chukwujekwu to score from close range and restore the visitors lead.

With the man advantage, the Angels pressed hard to retrieve the game but Cray Valley stood firm with Wicks excelling.

In time added the bar was struck and the rebound that fell to Fin McLeod was kept out by Wick.

Cray Valley have long been the Angels U18’s nemesis, heavy defeats of the past have been reduced to frustratingly narrow losses but Cray Valley remain the team to beat in the division.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “Tough one to take tonight as a fantastic performance goes unrewarded. One of our best performances of the season in long periods. Small margins in football create big moments and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of those tonight.”

Bromleians Women 1 Tonbridge Angels Women 5

Match 87/23/2210 - Sunday, 3rd March 2024 - South East Counties League Cup SF

Bromleians Women (1) 1
Tonbridge Angels Women (1) 5 Churchill 39,90+4 Cresswell 55 Jones 57 Beeput 86
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Mileage: 68/6,258
Played at Chislehurst School
New Ground: 384

Tonbridge Angels Women reached the Final of the South East Counties League Cup with a second half in which their quality shone through on a slog of a pitch. A waterlogged pitch at Bromleians home ground saw the game switched to Chislehurst School for Girls.

After a first half in which the Angels had dominated but, going up the slope, the pitch had been a great leveller and the Angels went into the break on equal terms through a Aimee Churchill goal after falling behind on 23 minutes.

From the outset the difference in quality was obvious but the Angels passing game, effective on their home 3G, was difficult to play on a poor surface whereas Bromleins took a more direct route.

Nonetheless, Tonbridge would have been disappointed to fall behind after good chances had fallen to Charlotte Cresswell whose header was wide from a corner and after being put through by Churchill, Grace Mayhead slid her shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Tonbridge Angels’ goalkeeper, Ashleigh Rhodes, saved well after 19 minutes with the rebound scrambled to safety but, four minutes later, a free kick into the box found a scoring header,

Rhodes needed to be at her best as Bromleians grew in confidence making further saves before the Angels regained control with Mayhead being denied by a good, low save.

Eventually, six minutes before the break, Tonbridge drew level when Cresswell’s through ball saw Churchill drive it home from the edge of the box.

Both sides had chances to take a lead into the break but the goalkeeper’s stood up to the task.

With the slope in their favour in the second half, the Angels women quickly took control with Freya Jones striking a post and Cresswell firing over before two goals in the space of two minutes shaped the game. On 55 minutes, fed by Churchill, Cresswell struck a shot that flew over the head over of the goalkeeper and the lead was doubled when Jones angled a shot into the bottom corner after cutting in from the right.

For a period, the Angels looked like they might run away with the game but credit to Bromleians who fought back only to find Rhodes standing firm, especially with a brilliant save on 65 minutes than saw her palm to safety a shot and complete with a follow-up save. But she was only a spectator as the Bromley side saw a close range header go agonisingly wide.

The route to the Gallagher Stadium was sealed on 84 minutes when Mandy Beeput found the bottom corner from distance and in the very final act, Beeput send Churchill through to add a fifth.

A cup final is a deserved reward for Tonbridge Angels Women who have enjoyed a fine season following their reformation and on Thursday, 25th April, Margate will be their opponents at Maidstone United.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Eastbourne Borough 0

Match 86/23/2209 - Saturday, 2nd March 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Sutcliffe 36 Dabre 77
Eastbourne Borough (0) 0
Attendance: 1,185
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,190

Tonbridge Angels brought to an end their winless run of four games with a comfortable win over relegation threatened Eastbourne Borough, who had Freddie Carter sent off in the first half.

On a bright afternoon after a morning of rain at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium, Jay Saunders made three changes from the side that agonisingly lost to Slough Town with Lewis Gard (injured), Jordan Greenidge (sickness) and Scott Wagstaff (suspended) being replaced by the returning Jamie Fielding, Mo Dabre and Ryan Hanson.

After a tepid opening 20 minutes in which only Jonny Henly was tested with a near post save from Decarrey Sheriff, the game came to life when a Sean Shields left sided corner was met with a Kodi Lyons-Foster header that was cleared from the line.

Eastbourne Borough’s goalkeeper, Ben Dudzinski saved well from Mo Dabre, before after 33 minutes, a run from Nathan Odokonyero was ended when unceremoniously brought down by Carter that brought a second yellow and subsequent red card.

With their man advantage, Tonbridge pressed the fast forward button and after 36 minutes, a Shields corner brushed the head of Lyons-Foster before landing at the feet of Ethan Sutcliffe who tucked it home for his first goal for the club.

The Angels ended the half on top with Dudzinski saving from Shields, Jordan Higgs and Odokonyero.

Tonbridge maintained their momentum into the second half with an early run and cross from Odokonyero narrowly evading Hanson.

Shields and Liam Vincent are forming a good understanding down the left hand side and from here a good chance for Dabre was created but his shot was wide.

On 68 minutes a fantastic block from Eastbourne’s Sam Beard denied Tariq Hinds after Dabre’s never-say-die attitude produced a cross from the byeline when most of would have given it up.

Tonbridge doubled their advantage on 78 minutes after a five minute period in which their visitors had looked quite dangerous with a couple of shots at Henly and a corner from Leone Gravata that was scrambled clear at the near post.

But, from that moment of concern, Fielding broke clear down the right before letting fire a shot from the edge of the box that Dudzinski could only parry into the path of Dabre. The midfielder’s shot cannoned down from the underside of the bar before rebounding in off the prostrate goalkeeper.

The Angels eased their way through the closing minutes with efforts from Lyons-Foster, Shields and Odokonyero successfully denied by Eastbourne’s stretched defence.

A satisfied Jay Saunders said after the match: "Lot happier than last week!" Good performance for large parts of it, probably should have been out of sight first half. There were good elements to our play today, workrate and tempo. Chances were cleared from the line or blocked and we had to keep grinding away."