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.
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