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.”
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