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.