Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Ebbsfleet United (3) 3 Thomas 11 (pen),45 Edser 14
Attendance: 449
Admission: £8
Mileage: 38/234
Despite falling two goal behind within the first quarter hour, Tonbridge Angels might well have gone home feeling relatively encouraged from a spirited performance against their National League neighbours, Ebbsfleet United.
On a warm, muggy evening, Tommy Parkinson and Lloyd Blackman, in Jay Saunders’ absence, selected a starting XI that for the first time this pre-season showed no trialists (although three appeared from the bench).
Ebbsfleet were quickly into their stride and a shot from Greg Cundle took a wicked deflection that brought an outstanding save from Toby Steward.
The visitors took a ninth minute lead from the penalty spot after Nathan Odokonyero was brought down in the box under a challenge from Mo Dabre that brought an end to the ex-Angels loanee’s evening. Kwame Thomas stepped up to send Steward the wrong way from the spot.
Certainly, at this early stage in the game, the slick passing of Ebbsfleet left the Angels under pressure and they fell two goals behind when a long throw into the box wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to Toby Edser who stabbed it home from close range.
Tonbridge fought hard to get a foothold in the game. A Sean Shields free kick found the head of Liam Vincent and a well worked move ended with Trevan Robinson shooting wide.
Five minutes before the break, Vincent embarked on a surging run down the left that ended with a shot that tested the Fleet goalkeeper, Harrison Firth, into a very good save.
Sadly for the Angels, their spirited recovery in the first half was brought to an end with Ebbsfleet scoring a third goal on the cusp of the break. A pass down the left saw Dominic Poleon in the clear. His shot was welll saved by Steward but the rebound fell at feet of Thomas who was left with a simple tap-in.
Tonbridge produced an entertaining second half performance that only lacked a goal that would have been richly deserved. Jeremy Santos, becoming ever more influential in the game had two efforts in less than a minute just shy of the hour mark with both shots narrowly wide.
Good work from Dabre gave Robinson a chance that he dragged wide and Shields tested Firth with well two struck shots. The best chance fell to a second half trialist who headed Shields cross wide before Dabre had a final chance that came after good work from Vincent.
The Angels move on to the Crabble on Saturday when Dover Athletic are our hosts.
Photo: Kathryn Bell
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