Tonbridge Angels 2 Walton and Hersham 1

Match 28/24/2267 - Saturday, 28th September 2024 - FA Cup 3QR

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Vincent 49 (pen) Leighton 69
Walton & Hersham (1) 1 Owusu 36 (pen)
Attendance: 1,068
Admission: £14
Mileage: 38/1,201

Tonbridge Angels are through to the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round for the first time in four years and this time our supporters will be allowed through the turnstiles wherever Monday’s draw takes us.

After a first half that saw the Angels fall behind, manager Jay Saunders made an inspired half-time substitution introducing Noel Leighton, who then had a significant say in both the Angels goals including his 69th minute winner.

Jay said of Leighton's impact: “We’ve got to be careful with Noel and not overdo it with him. I know what Noel is about having worked with him before and when he came on he’s had an impact in both goals. I’m really pleased for him, he’s worked hard with the medical team to get fit. If he’s right we will build him up, what I’ve got to make sure, you have to remember he has missed the whole of pre-season, is that we don’t throw 90 minutes on him after 90 minutes and it effects him. Today we made the change at half-time, he uses his body well, is a physical presence and if he gets a chance, he will score goals.”

Bright September sunshine greeted FA Cup day and Saunders would have been delighted (and relieved) to have a returning Ethan Sutcliffe to name in his starting XI with both Jamie Fielding and Joe Tyrie missing following training ground knocks. Jeremy Santos was restored as a starter and there was a welcome return to the bench for Ryan Hanson.

Walton and Hersham, from Step Three’s Southern League Premier South, where at the start of play they sat third in the table, provided stiff opposition as Jay reflected in his post-match interview: “It’s always a difficult game when you play lower league opposition and I think Walton are a good side but in general it’s a good win for us.”

The Angels were quickly out of the blocks and in the opening 15 minutes any one of three crosses into the box could have brought an opening goal with Liam Vincent twice giving opportunities for Trevan Robinson, whose effort was smothered by goalkeeper, Jos Barker and Jason Adigun who got the ball stuck under his feet as he tried to create a yard of space for his shot.

Having negotiated the opening quarter hour, Walton & Hersham found a foothold in the game with ex-Angel Johl Powell pulling their strings in midfield, Tom Olyott shot wide and Powell brought a first save of the match out of Toby Steward.

By the time the visitors took a 36th minute lead from the penalty spot, arguably the visitors were deserving of their advantage. A through ball from Lucas Defise sent Powell into the box from where took a tumble under a light challenge from Vincent, who was booked for his protestations. Nana Owusu stepped up to fire his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Adigun and Naz Bakrin had efforts comfortably saved by Barker as the visitors went into the break a goal to the good.

Leighton’s introduction brought an instant dividend at the start of the second half. His persistence won a left sided corner that was punched away by the goalkeeper to Adigun who drove a powerful shot towards the goal that struck Defise on the arm as he turned his back on the ball leaving referee Dunn to point to the spot a second time. A composed Vincent sent Barker the wrong way from the spot.

Tonbridge were dominating the half, a 25 yard effort from Scott Wagstaff was dealt with by the impressive Barker before they went ahead on 69 minutes with a well worked goal saw Jeremy Santos stride forward to release Vincent down the left and his cross was collected by Leighton, six yards out, to steer into the bottom corner.

Whilst the Angels were largely in control, they suffered a major scare on 74 minutes when substitute Dan Rowe struck the crossbar and a very late penalty appeal caused a little heart flutter around the ground.

Tonbridge enter the final qualifying round draw for the first time in four years, that is live on TalkSPORT on Monday at 3pm, but Walton and Hersham made them work hard for their place in the hat.

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Lewes U18 0

Match 27/24/2266 - Monday, 23rd September 2024 - Isthmian Youth League Cup 2R

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Penman 35,72 Larkin 69 (pen)
Lewes U18 (0) 0
Attendance: 50
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,163

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s eased their way into the third round of the Isthmian Youth League Cup with a scoreline that was perhaps a little less comfortable than it suggests.

In a second half, six minute spell, the Angels scored twice and missed a penalty to put the game beyond a spirited Lewes side.

Dom Welsh was forced the make changes with four players unavailable and their replacements gave performances that highlighted the depth of the squad with 16 year-old Robert Penman scoring twice and being brought down for a penalty.

The opening moments saw the visitors start brightly and bring a good save out of Josh Hanson after five minutes and it would be fair to say that Lewes enjoyed more than their fair share of the first half as Welsh commented: “We were sloppy in the first half.”

After a slow start, the Angels worked their way into the game with Jack Gallagher heading over from a corner; Penman testing the goalkeeper after being set up by Fiachra Pritchard and Adam Larkin being denied by the alertness of the keeper after a defensive mix-up.

But the pressure did lead to the opening goal on 35 minutes when a great pass from Noah Millis found Penman on the left hand corner of the penalty area from where he curled an exquisite shot into the top corner.

The second half opened with good chances for both sides with Lewes being particularly wasteful as shots found the side netting; clearing the bar and a fine save from Hanson keeping the Angels in front.

On 68 minutes the lead was doubled when Larkin sent Penman clear into the box to round the goalkeeper before being brought down. Larkin powered his spot kick into the roof of the net giving the goalkeeper little chance.

Three minutes later the tie was as good as made safe when a surging run from Nayan Grant ended with a pass to Penman who produced a really good finish to add a third.

On 75 minutes, the Angels were handed another penalty after Larkin had been bundled over. This time his penalty technique let him down as his shot cleared the crossbar by some distance.

All due respect to Lewes, their heads didn’t drop and Hanson was asked to make a couple of decent saves as they sought at least a consolation goal.

Penman was denied a hat-trick with four minutes remaining when he robbed a defender of the ball 25 yards from goal and attempted a first time lob that sailed just over the bar and in time added, Grant had a brilliant run to the bye-line before pulling the ball back for Larkin whose close range effort was well saved.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was a good win, strong second half after a sloppy first, especially given that the missing players have been regular starters.”

Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2

Match 26/24/2265 - Saturday, 21st September 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Adigun 15 Vincent (pen) 90+4
Hampton & Richmond Borough (1) 2 Roberts 24 Vilhete 56
Attendance: 976
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,125

It was The Late, Late Show at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium as a 94th minute penalty, won and converted by Liam Vincent, salvaged a point from a game that for large parts they were second best.

Manager Jay Saunders gave an honest assessment: “We weren’t at our best today. Credit to Hampton, they were a good side and for large parts, they were the better side. I’ll always be honest and say it how it is and in the end it’s a good point considering we have dropped off from where our performances levels have been recently. But we showed good character and I’m pleased we came away with a point.”

On a warm, humid afternoon, Jay was able to recall captain Scott Wagstaff, select new signing Jason Adigun and replacing Jamie Fielding (who took a training ground knock), Joe Tyrie returned to the starting XI.

A scrappy opening to the game was brought to an end on 15 minutes with a quality goal from Adigun who made a late run into the box to sweep home a cross from Vincent to the far post.

The Angels lead was to last 10 minutes when a cross from the left from Alfie Williams was met with a volley from James Roberts that was driven into the ground with the bounce looping over a helpless Toby Steward.

It was the encouragement that the visitors took into the rest of the half, quickly having a strong penalty appeal waved away; Josh Keeya hit the side netting when well placed and it took a superb challenge from Nazir Bakrin to deny Bunmi Babajide.

At the other end, a Vincent cross was headed over by Trevan Robinson.

After another scrappy opening to the second half with both sides giving the ball away at will, Hampton’s Mauro Vilhete produced a bit of magic with a 25 yarder that Steward got his hands too but could only help it on its way into the top corner.

Sean Shields set up Adigun for a shooting opportunity that was well saved low by Ted Curd and the Angels manager rang the changes to add some attacking impetus to his side including a welcome first appearance for Noel Leighton, who offered a lively introduction.

On 70 minutes, Leighton set up Shields with a shot that was saved and although Tonbridge were pressing hard, the visiting goalkeeper was not being unduly tested.

Six minutes of added time offered a lifeline and four of these had expired when a cross from Shields on the right saw Vincent go down under a challenge from Dominic Revan for referee Hathaway to point to the spot. Vincent collected himself to calmly send Curd the wrong way to rescue a point and maintain the Angels unbeaten start to the season.

Tonbridge Angels U18 1 Hastings United U18 2

Match 25/24/2264 - Monday, 16th September 2024 - FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 1 Richardson 9
Hastings United U18 (2) 2 Mavali 25,31 (pen)
Attendance: 96
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,087

The Under-18’s endured a frustrating evening that led to their exit from the FA Youth Cup at the hands of a resolute Hastings United.

Frustrating was certainly the watchword as Dominic Welsh explained after the game: “Frustrating, that’s probably the key word. I felt for the majority of the game, we were in good control bar the 10 minutes we concede two goals. We started the game well, got ourselves 1-0 up, controlled the game. But I think their first goal stopped a bit of momentum and then after that we lacked a little bit of control in the game, that was the key for us. Second half we did really well, just couldn’t find the back of the net, just frustrating really.”

The FA Youth Cup is an Under-18’s competition but Academy first year scholars, goalkeeper Andrew Norburn, William Brett, Mackenzie Richardson and Ollie Thomson were drafted into the squad with Academy manager Tom Parkinson taking his place alongside Dom in the dug-out.

As always, the FA Youth Cup brings out a few extra on the gate including a healthy contingent up from the East Sussex coast.

Early momentum was with the Angels with a early free kick from Richardson that was comfortably save and although Hastings went close with an effort from Arsham Mavali, the Angels were well worth their lead taken in the ninth minute. Richardson started and finished the move, that saw his initial pass to Nayan Grant open up space for a cross from Fiachra Pritchard to Richardson whose powerful header went in off the underside of the bar.

The Angels had chances to double their advantage through Callum Fincham whose shot was saved by Harry Howes and an even better save to deny Richardson.

So it was somewhat against the run of play when Hastings fashioned an equaliser on 25 minutes. A long ball out of defence sent Tyrone Miotshwa clear down the left to pull the ball back for Mavali to score from around the penalty spot.

Hastings turned the game on its ahead seven minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Noah Millis was adjudged to have pulled back Archie Baker inches inside the right hand corner of the 18 yard box. Mavali scored from the spot sending Norburn the wrong way.

Tonbridge made the vast majority of the running in the second half but came up against a side that defended deep, defended resolutely and denied the Angels a way through.

On 55 minutes, Thomson was through on goal but delayed his shot before being challenged and finally shooting wide and on 73 minutes, Alfie Gilder struck the outside of the post after good approach work from Jack Gallagher and Pritchard.

Pritchard brought the final save of the game from Howe at his near post as the visitors saw out a substantial amount of added time, not with ease but a steadfast determination.

Dom Welsh summed up: “Sometimes you come away from these games disappointed and feeling like you’ve not done enough but we feel like the only thing missing in that half is a little toe into the corner, coming off someone’s knee to go in or something like that, it didn’t fall tonight. Again, on another night, Alfie’s shot hits the other side of the post and ends up in the net.”




Tonbridge Angels 2 Merstham 1

Match 24/24/2263 - Saturday, 14th September 2024 - FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Robinson 9 Fielding 49
Merstham (0) 1 Pointing 76
Attendance: 866
Admission: £14
Mileage: 38/1,049

Tonbridge Angels supporters left the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium with the warm glow of an FA Cup win in their hearts, something they have not enjoyed since 2016 when Hereford came to town, but it was not without a tense finish as Isthmian South East side Merstham sought an equaliser having given themselves a lifeline with a 76th minute goal to halve the deficit.

Warm autumn sunshine saw a healthy, boisterous contingent from the Surrey town among an attendance of 866. Jay Saunders made just the one enforced change to the starting XI from last Saturday at Chippenham Town, with Ryan Hanson absent following his injury in the opening minutes. Jeremy Santos who replaced him retained his place. On the bench there was the welcome name of Noel Leighton, who has yet to feature following injury.

For 75 minutes, Tonbridge put on a thoroughly professional performance keeping a hard-working Merstham side at arms length whilst creating numerous chances that could, perhaps should, have put the tie to bed long before the visitors late rally.

Saunders said following the match: “We’re through. We are in the hat for the next round and the early rounds are about that. Large parts of the game we were quite comfortable, obviously give Merstham credit, the last 10 minutes they made it difficult for us which is fair play to them. Merstham were a good side, they made is really hard for us, we had a lot of the ball but could not break them down.”

The Angels had an early chance with Sean Shields seeing his effort cleared from the line before they took a ninth minute lead when a Shields corner from the left was only scrambled back into the path of Trevan Robinson who turned on the edge of the six yard box to score into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later a far post header from Robinson struck the bar and Rob Tolfrey saved well from Liam Vincent as the Angels threatened to take the game away from their visitors.

Merstham barely threatened, just past the half-hour Sam King struck wastefully wide when in a decent position whilst Taylor Maloney’s shot from distance brought another good save from the veteran Tolfrey.

Tonbridge doubled their advantage four minutes into the second half when a Shields corner was met with a towering header from Jamie Fielding. The chances continued to be made by the Angels, a Robinson overhead kick was just over and then stretching to reach a Liam Vincent cross, lifting the ball over again.

But Merstham, stayed resilient and when the Angels goalkeeper, Toby Steward, misjudged a cross, Pointing headed home and Merstham had an unexpected lifeline.

Player of the Match Vincent put in a 83rd minute cross that was deflected over his own crossbar by Pointing when it could easily have found its way into the net.

Merstham forced several corners and when a cross-cum-shot from Abel Vendrells looped onto the roof of the net there were a few hearts in mouths among the home support.

Saunders summed up: “I’ve been there both as a player and a manager when you go to teams from higher leagues you want to make it hard and stay in the game and Merstham did that to be fair to them and it’s taken two set pieces, we’ve hit the bar a couple of times but we weren’t clinical enough.”

East Grinstead Town U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 3

Match 23/24/2262 - Thursday, 12th September 2024 - Isthmian Youth League Cup 1st Round

East Grinstead Town U18 (0) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Larkin 22,46 Ballach 85
Attendance: 55
Admission: £2
Mileage: 60/1,011

Tonbridge Angels U18’s progressed from a tight Isthmian Youth League Cup First Round tie at East Grinstead Town with a 3-1 win that earns them a home draw against Lewes in the next round.

After taking a two goal lead, the Angels were pegged back with a goal from the home team and were under pressure until a stunning goal from River Ballach, five minutes from time eased the nerves.

On an evening when autumn certainly showed its hand and heavier coats were much in evidence, the Angels were always the better side but were met with a resilient East Grinstead side that also offered a threat through a hard working striker.

The home side had a first minute opportunity when Angels goalkeeper, Josh Hanson, ventured outside his area to a through ball that he didn’t quite clear with the rebound falling for a shot at an unguarded goal, but one that cleared the bar.

After the early scare, Tonbridge settled into the game and a fifth minute corner led to an effort from Adam Larkin that was deflected into the grateful hands of the goalkeeper.

The game remained very even until the 22nd minute when following initial work from Tolu Fabimafobee, Larkin drove a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The momentum swung Tonbridge’s way following the goal and chances quickly came for Harry Barton, who shot agonisingly wide and following a great bit of wing play from Barton, his cross was put over the bar from close range by Teddy Cooney.

Barton brought another very good save from the keeper on 39 minutes and with the final act of the half, a superb move involving Fabimafobee and Barton saw Callum Fincham’s finish come back from the underside of the crossbar as the Angels finished the half well on top.

The ascendancy was rewarded early into the second half when a quickly taken free kick from Fincham sent Barton clear to cross into the box from where Larkin powered home an unstoppable header.

Barton was once again denied by a good, low save before an East Grinstead goal was disallowed for a foul on Hanson but that gave the home side a lift and, just past the hour they halved the deficit when a cross from the ever-dangerous centre forward was touched home at the far post.

The game became end-to-end as East Grinstead desperately searched for an equaliser that seemed the most likely next goal until River Ballach stepped inside a challenge and curled his shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

A ridiculously long eight, that turned into eleven minutes, was safely managed by the Angels to earn their tie against Lewes which will be played at Longmead on Monday, 23rd September.

Tonbridge Angels Academy 4 Maidstone United Academy 1

Match 22/24/2261 - Wednesday, 11th September 2024 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 4 Somauroo 65 Velvick 66,67,75
Maidstone United Academy (0) 1 Keil 90+
Headcount: 16
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/951

Tonbridge Angels Academy followed their opening day win at Ramsgate with an ultimately comfortable win over Maidstone United at Longmead.

Hayden Velvick, who missed the 6-1 win at Ramsgate, helped himself to a hat-trick as the Angels produced a devastating 10 minute spell that saw a goalless stalemate turn into a four goal lead.

A bright opening to a game that continued to be very watchable saw the Angels goalkeeper, Andrew Norburn, asked to make a first minute save that was quickly followed by chances for Kimsley Gatakata and Velvick.

Maidstone carved out a great opportunity when their forward was denied by a great interception from Noah Millis after 12 minutes. Following that scare, it was the Angels that largely dominated the game but without troubling the visiting goalkeeper too much.

This was to change in the last ten minutes of the half when the goalkeeper did really well to turn an effort from Gatakata onto a post and then saved well when Jamie Bidston met a corner with a firm header.

In first half time added, Tonbridge struck the post a second time this time from Casey Dudley with the rebound somehow clearing the bar from Ollie Thomson.

On the hour, the woodwork was struck a third time, this time from Velvick, before the game was taken away from the visitors in an initial spell of four minutes. On 65 minutes, a surging run from Colin Dake was brought to an end by the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell kindly to Justin Somauroo who had a relatively easy finish.

Within a minute, Velvick doubled the advantage as he cut in from the left to bury a shot into the far, bottom corner and Velvick made it three in four minutes with a close range effort.

On 75 minutes, a Dudley free kick initially looked like it had gone straight in, but it was Velvick that had the telling touch to take it past the goalkeeper and complete his hat trick.

Maidstone had the consolation of a last kick of the match goal when an effort from Robbie Keil was deflected into his own net by a defender at the far post.

Certainly a promising start from a squad peppered with first year students.

Staplehurst Monarchs 1 Sheppey Sports 0

Match 21/24/2260 - Saturday, 7th September 2024 - SCEFL One

Staplehurst Monarchs (0) 1 Adams 57
Sheppey Sports (0) 0
Attendance: 91
Admission: £5
Mileage: 1/913

A domestic matter of a dog that needs an injection took me to my home village club for the first time this season, because ultimately the dog trumps all! With the warm welcome, Staplehurst Monarchs is never a chore although the Twitter (I’ll never adopt X) feed from Chippenham was a distraction.

After the disappointment of losing out in the Play-off Final at Larkfield, the Monarchs have started the season well with two wins from their first three league games and progress in the FA Vase. It is something of an anomaly in the fixture list that in the first week of September they already find themselves three league games adrift of others in the division.

Their visitors were Sheppey Sports, formerly K Sports, who were forced to upsticks and relocate to Thanet following the sale of the Cobdown home.

All credit to the visitors for pitching up at all following the devastating news within the previous 24 hours of the sad passing of their player, Dylan Akue, at the frighteningly young age of 21. A minute's silence was impeccably observed and a bucket collection was organised by the home club. Dylan’s #21 shirt was hung from the Sheppey dug out.

Such is the lot of a Step 6 Chairperson that Nic Stonebridge was asked prior to kick off to remove a suspect package from the centre circle that might have been left by a four-legged interloper!

A full bloodied, competitive encounter ensued that Staplehurst just about deserved to edge with a goal after 57 minutes from a free kick, 30 yards out from Luke Adams.

Staplehurst might have found themselves ahead within the opening minute when a well worked move involving Dan Ashton and Harry Beech set up an opportunity for Jack Hyslop but his shot cleared the bar.

Sheppey worked their way into the game and, on 20 minutes, a cross into the box from Jez Hammond begged a touch in front of goal.

On the half-hour, another head-in-hands miss, this time from Adams, after a perfect set-up from Ted Rosetti left the game all square at the break.

Into the second period saw an old Tunbridge Wells favourite, Sheppey’s Josh Froggatt, sin binned for 10 minutes. Incidentally, it was a small Wells reunion with Lewis Mingle and Steve Lawrence in the Staplehurst side.

The breakthrough came when Adams' free kick, at first appeared to have been caught by the Sheppey goalkeeper, Harvey Mills, but the ball escaped his grasp and dropped behind him into the net.

The Monarchs had the momentum following the goal. A long throw into the box caused confusion with the ball ending up hitting a post and Mills kept his side in the game, saving well from Beech.

Sheppey had their moments in the closing stages with Lawrence making a good claim after an effort from David Latunde and a last gasp effort from Joe Jarvis that cleared the bar.

Twitter obliged with a hard-earned point for the Angels at Chippenham, so I strolled home happy to an equally happy cocker spaniel!

Tonbridge Angels 2 St Albans City 0

Match 20/24/2259 - Tuesday, 3rd September 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2
St Albans City (0) 0
Attendance: 894
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/912

Seven unbeaten at the start of the season; four consecutive clean sheets; three straight wins and up to fourth in National League South, there is plenty for Tonbridge Angels supporters to get heady about, but as manager Jay Saunders said after the game: "It's a fantastic start, but it's a start and that's it."

Shorn of the experience of Sean Shields and Scott Wagstaff through injury, Jay’s starting XI had an average age of just 23 and this was decreased further on the hour with the introduction of Jeremy Santos.

Shields injury brought a first start for Rayan Clarke and Mo Dabre was restored to the starting line-up for Santos as two changes were made from Saturday’s winning side against Salisbury.

St Albans City came with a lowly league position, without a win this season, but nobody was going to be fooled by the pedigree of this established National League club and, for an hour, they offered stubborn opposition.

The introduction of Santos on 57 minutes was the catalyst for a last half-hour in which the Angels swarmed all over their visitors likes bees round a honeypot and found the finishes necessary to secure the points.

There was a cagey beginning to the game with St Albans having a 16th minute opportunity from a corner that was headed wide by Phillip Chinedu and three minutes later an audacious free kick from inside his own half by Joe Partington had Toby Steward back-pedalling quickly to make a good save.

Steward was brought into action again on 24 minutes saving from Giorgio Resulo with the follow-up from Alfie Payne going well wide.

The pace of Trevan Robinson was troubling the Saints defence and this brought a booking for Chinedu and a free kick on the edge that was sent wide by Vincent and, in the best chance of the half, Robinson’s cross from the left evaded Clarke, found its way to Crossley Lema, whose effort was deflected to safety.

Santos’ introduction had an immediate positive effect with a cross that was turned away for a corner and, on 64 minutes, Robinson picked the pocket of a defender to run clear but goalkeeper, Michael Johnson, was quickly off his line to smother.

Three minutes later the Angels thought they had the lead when Santos’ free kick was turned onto the post by Johnson for Jamie Fielding to turn in the rebound but the goal was denied by a assistant referee’s flag.

St Albans relief was short-lived however and, two minutes later, a free kick from Santos, saw Johnson misjudge the flight of the ball for Robinson to turn home from behind him.

After taking a heavy knock and being brought to the ground several times, Robinson’s night was brought to an end on 78 minutes to be replaced by Timmy Abraham and with a minute of regular time to play, the substitute got his first Angels' goal when a shot from Dabre was deflected into his path and his low shot under the advancing Johnson found the bottom corner.

Jay Saunders added after the game: “You enjoy it a lot more when you are winning obviously. It’s been a really good start, nothing more. I’ve always said, winning and losing are habits, we’ve started the season well, there is a belief and a good buzz around the squad and I think they are enjoying it and that’s the main thing.”

Tonbridge Angels Women 0 South London Women 4

Match 19/24/2258 - Sunday, 1st September 2024 - Women's FA Cup 1QR

Tonbridge Angels Women (0) 0
South London Women (2) 4 Shields 11,65
Attendance: 107
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/874

Tonbridge Angels Women’s first flirtation with the WFA Cup sadly ended with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of an accomplished South London Women.

Both teams, having achieved similar promotions last season, were making their debuts in the prestigious competition.

On a hot afternoon that necessitated water breaks in each half, a crowd of 107 assembled including a noisy contingent following the visitors.

South London opened the game with intent and the Angels goalkeeper, Ashleigh Rhodes was called into action twice in the first eight minutes before conceding a goal when a clearance came back off Virginia Somers to loop over the stranded goalkeeper’s head.

The goal rattled the Angels and another poor clearance gave Johanna Andersson the opportunity to strike but her shot hit a post.

Slowly the home side found a footing in the game with Hope Mumford sending a shot wide and a free kick over and, on 21 minutes, a free kick from Lucy Harrington dipped onto the roof of the net.

But, the best chance of the half for the Angels, came when Amelia Cooper was sent clear, but her shot not carrying enough power, was cleared from the line.

The first water break perhaps came at the wrong time for the Angels as following the break, it was South London that regained the momentum.

This eventually brought a reward for the visitors as, six minutes before the break, Rhodes saved at the feet of Somers but the rebound fell invitingly at the feet of Andersson who calmly stroked the ball into the unguarded goal.

Any hopes of a second half comeback from the Angels virtually disappeared three minutes into the half when the ball fell to Robyn Blanchard who volleyed into the top corner from 20 yards.

Six minutes later, another sumptuous effort from distance, this time from Rachel Todd gave Rhodes no chance.

Credit should be given to the Angels who never gave up the fight and deserved a consolation goal but efforts from Hermione Dorset and Aimee Churchill were denied by goalkeeper Nailah Cave.

Angels’ manager Joe Rowe reflected after the match: “Credit to South London, on balance they deserved their victory, maybe the scoreline doesn’t reflect the quality of the two teams. The quality is a lot closer, I think the difference today was that they were switched on throughout the game, they brought their A game whereas in key moments we switched off.”