Chatham Town (3) 3 Ufuah 7 Liburd 27 Cooper 45+1
Bowers & Pitsea (0) 1 Teniola 70
Attendance: 2,011
Admission: £8 Concession
Mileage: 33/4,130
Saturday, 28 December 2024
Chatham Town 3 Bowers & Pitsea 1
Match 57/24/2296 - Saturday, 28th December 2024 - Isthmian League Premier
Chatham Town (3) 3 Ufuah 7 Liburd 27 Cooper 45+1
Bowers & Pitsea (0) 1 Teniola 70
Attendance: 2,011
Admission: £8 Concession
Mileage: 33/4,130
Chatham Town (3) 3 Ufuah 7 Liburd 27 Cooper 45+1
Bowers & Pitsea (0) 1 Teniola 70
Attendance: 2,011
Admission: £8 Concession
Mileage: 33/4,130
Friday, 27 December 2024
Tonbridge Angels 1 Maidstone United 3
Match 56/24/2295 - Thursday, 26th December 2024 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Vincent 45
Maidstone United (1) 3 Fowler 2 Blair 78 Bentley 90+5
Attendance: 2,825
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,097
Maidstone United returned home from the A26, three points safely tucked in their back pocket after a deserved, if slightly flattering, 3-1 win.
Historically, Tonbridge Angels have never won a home encounter with their local rivals on Boxing Day and when they went behind with less than two minutes on the clock that statistic looked unlikely to be put to bed. A Liam Vincent header just before the break offered hope but two late goals sent the visiting contingent home happy.
Jay Saunders said after the game: “Give Maidstone their credit, they’ve taken their goals well. The first goal kills us to a degree, an embarrassing goal. Long throw, bounces about and they poke it in and so it is probably the worst start possible. We grew into the game and got better as the half wore on and deservedly got on level terms and there wasn’t a lot in the game all afternoon. Santos gives the ball away in a silly area, they break and to be fair to Blair, it’s a great finish.”
The Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium was packed with a record league attendance of 2,825 on a grey, if thankfully mild, day. Jay remained without the services of Sean Shields and made one change from the side that started at Boreham Wood with Jeremy Santos coming in for Mo Dabre (ankle injury).
The Angels found themselves under pressure from the opening whistle and barely survived the opening low throw into the box before a cross from Matt Rush was headed on to the far post from where George Fowler only needed the faintest of touches to steer it home.
A difficult opening period was nearly compounded after six minutes when Rush failed to get on the end of a Antony Papadopoulos cross before the home side began to get anything like a foothold in the game.
After 19 minutes, Vincent managed to get in his first threatening cross of the game which narrowly evaded Harry Ottaway. Another Vincent cross saw pressure on the Maidstone goalkeeper, Alexis Andre Jr, but a charitable referee quickly came to his aid.
Maidstone’s leading goalscorer, Aaron Blair, was understandably causing the Angels back line more than a few concerns and when he wriggled clear of Ethan Sutcliffe, the outcome might have been a whole lot worse than a shot that was comfortably saved by Matt Rowley.
Boxing Day’s pantomime villain, ex-Angel Jordan Higgs, raised a cheer from the home support as he entered the referee’s notebook before those supporters were given a genuine reason to be cheerful as the Angels found an equaliser. Sutcliffe’s cross from the right, was headed towards the byeline but was kept alive by Trevan Robinson’s back header and as the bounce deceived a Maidstone defender, Vincent stole in to plant a header beyond Andre Jr.
The Angels received a huge setback, just moments into the second period, when Vincent went down following a challenge and needed to be replaced by Charlie Pegrum.
A sensational clearance from Ronnie Nelson from the line after Sol Wanjau-Smith had got on the end of a cross preserved his side’s parity as the visitors began to turn up the heat.
With 12 minutes remaining, a game to be honest that had not been blessed with quality, found its moment and with it the visitors regained their lead. A ball lost by the Angels in midfield, was swept to the left from where Blair, stepped inside to curl a shot from 25 yards into the top corner beyond the grasp of Rowley.
A flutter of excitement rippled through the home end as Pegrum’s cross evaded a couple of onrushing Angels and drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
But, in the fifth of seven added minutes, Maidstone iced their cake when Blair laid the ball off to Matt Bentley who picked his spot into the bottom corner.
Jay summed up: “There are things we’ve got to be better on. It’s annoying because I felt we could have come out of the game with something, but we’ve not and the two goals play a big part in it. We lost the game because at key moments were were not good enough. For large parts of it, it was a typical derby, it was a battle with tackles flying in, but you are always going to be up against it if you concede three goals.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Vincent 45
Maidstone United (1) 3 Fowler 2 Blair 78 Bentley 90+5
Attendance: 2,825
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/4,097
Maidstone United returned home from the A26, three points safely tucked in their back pocket after a deserved, if slightly flattering, 3-1 win.
Historically, Tonbridge Angels have never won a home encounter with their local rivals on Boxing Day and when they went behind with less than two minutes on the clock that statistic looked unlikely to be put to bed. A Liam Vincent header just before the break offered hope but two late goals sent the visiting contingent home happy.
Jay Saunders said after the game: “Give Maidstone their credit, they’ve taken their goals well. The first goal kills us to a degree, an embarrassing goal. Long throw, bounces about and they poke it in and so it is probably the worst start possible. We grew into the game and got better as the half wore on and deservedly got on level terms and there wasn’t a lot in the game all afternoon. Santos gives the ball away in a silly area, they break and to be fair to Blair, it’s a great finish.”
The Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium was packed with a record league attendance of 2,825 on a grey, if thankfully mild, day. Jay remained without the services of Sean Shields and made one change from the side that started at Boreham Wood with Jeremy Santos coming in for Mo Dabre (ankle injury).
The Angels found themselves under pressure from the opening whistle and barely survived the opening low throw into the box before a cross from Matt Rush was headed on to the far post from where George Fowler only needed the faintest of touches to steer it home.
A difficult opening period was nearly compounded after six minutes when Rush failed to get on the end of a Antony Papadopoulos cross before the home side began to get anything like a foothold in the game.
After 19 minutes, Vincent managed to get in his first threatening cross of the game which narrowly evaded Harry Ottaway. Another Vincent cross saw pressure on the Maidstone goalkeeper, Alexis Andre Jr, but a charitable referee quickly came to his aid.
Maidstone’s leading goalscorer, Aaron Blair, was understandably causing the Angels back line more than a few concerns and when he wriggled clear of Ethan Sutcliffe, the outcome might have been a whole lot worse than a shot that was comfortably saved by Matt Rowley.
Boxing Day’s pantomime villain, ex-Angel Jordan Higgs, raised a cheer from the home support as he entered the referee’s notebook before those supporters were given a genuine reason to be cheerful as the Angels found an equaliser. Sutcliffe’s cross from the right, was headed towards the byeline but was kept alive by Trevan Robinson’s back header and as the bounce deceived a Maidstone defender, Vincent stole in to plant a header beyond Andre Jr.
The Angels received a huge setback, just moments into the second period, when Vincent went down following a challenge and needed to be replaced by Charlie Pegrum.
A sensational clearance from Ronnie Nelson from the line after Sol Wanjau-Smith had got on the end of a cross preserved his side’s parity as the visitors began to turn up the heat.
With 12 minutes remaining, a game to be honest that had not been blessed with quality, found its moment and with it the visitors regained their lead. A ball lost by the Angels in midfield, was swept to the left from where Blair, stepped inside to curl a shot from 25 yards into the top corner beyond the grasp of Rowley.
A flutter of excitement rippled through the home end as Pegrum’s cross evaded a couple of onrushing Angels and drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
But, in the fifth of seven added minutes, Maidstone iced their cake when Blair laid the ball off to Matt Bentley who picked his spot into the bottom corner.
Jay summed up: “There are things we’ve got to be better on. It’s annoying because I felt we could have come out of the game with something, but we’ve not and the two goals play a big part in it. We lost the game because at key moments were were not good enough. For large parts of it, it was a typical derby, it was a battle with tackles flying in, but you are always going to be up against it if you concede three goals.”
Monday, 23 December 2024
Boreham Wood 1 Tonbridge Angels 1
Match 55/24/2294 - Saturday, 21st December 2024 - National League South
Boreham Wood (0) 1 Ndlovu 76
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Nelson 71
Attendance: 713
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 165/4,059
It is less than half a mile from Elstree Studios where last week, Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland took the dancing honours. Jay Saunders’ men waltzed the 60-odd miles around the M25 to take the lead role in Strictly Come Scrooges and in the weekend before the Christmas festivities, for just a few minutes, the bells were ringing out for a Fairy Tale of Meadow Park.
It was a dogged performance that restricted the National League South’s form team to a single first half chance and a second period that saw the Angels take the game to their hosts to earn a 72nd minute lead through Ronnie Nelson, only to be pegged back four minutes later.
Jay reflected after the match, played out in persistent rain, “It’s a good point away from home. In general you take a point away, but to come to Boreham Wood, for me, one of the best sides in the league, it was a good test for us today. But when you are in the lead in the 75th minute, especially after a really good team performance, it is disappointing to have conceded in the way we have from a set piece but it is a good point for us, especially on the back of two home wins.”
One change was made from the starting XI that beat Chesham United on Tuesday evening with Sean Shields niggling ankle injury sidelining him for Scott Wagstaff to step iin.
Boreham Wood came into the game on the back of five straight wins, no defeats in nine and an in-form striker in Kwesi Appiah who had scored eight times in the last five games.
The noisy, boisterous Blue Army were in fine voice but that was probably masking a nervousness as the home side put the Angels under expected early pressure. Matt Rowley needed to be alert to turn over the bar a cross-cum-shot from Jon Benton and, in the fifth minute, he made a superb, low save to his right to thwart Appiah adding to his impressive tally.
As the rain started to fall more heavily, the visitors began to grow into the game and whilst the Boreham Wood goalkeeper, Nathan Ashmore, was largely untested, the threat of the hosts was being comfortably resisted.
Rowley was brought into action again on 38 minutes saving well from Jayden Richardson, before the Angels supporters left the comfort of the covered North Bank to brave the elements at the open end, buoyed by their favourites resolute display.
Jay’s half-time team talk had asked his side to show more belief and in the opening seven minutes of the second half two great chances had been created. After two minutes, Trevan Robinson who had continuously stretched a mountainous back three, broke clear and his pass into the box found Mo Dabre but a goal saving challenge denied an effort on goal.
Five minutes later, a free kick from Liam Vincent was narrowly wide of Ashmore’s left hand post, and when the goalkeeper spilled a cross from Vincent, it was the Angels who were knocking at the door.
Boreham Wood wrested back the momentum and the Angels back line were desperately throwing bodies in the way of shots from Benton and Appiah before Jack Payne fired over from 20 yards.
On 72 minutes, the Christmas tree lights shone brightly when Vincent’s cross was fumbled by Ashmore and there was Nelson to stab home his first goal for the club.
Sadly, the joy was short-lived. A corner saw a clearance rebound into the path of Lee Ndlovu who finished from around six yards.
A big finish from the home side was only to be expected but, although Rowley was asked to turn over a shot from Tom Whelan, Tonbridge saw the game out without any undue alarm and it was Ashmore that needed to make an added time save from Vincent.
“You’ve got to believe was the general message to all of them at half time. Defensively, first half we were excellent, they had one shot and then second half we were a little bit better on the ball and asked a few more questions, got into some good areas, maybe cold have nicked another goal . I’m not saying they didn’t get chances but for the majority of the game, it was a good, disciplined away performance,” Jay summed up with a final message to the supporters; “Fantastic again today, and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”
Boreham Wood (0) 1 Ndlovu 76
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Nelson 71
Attendance: 713
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 165/4,059
It is less than half a mile from Elstree Studios where last week, Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland took the dancing honours. Jay Saunders’ men waltzed the 60-odd miles around the M25 to take the lead role in Strictly Come Scrooges and in the weekend before the Christmas festivities, for just a few minutes, the bells were ringing out for a Fairy Tale of Meadow Park.
It was a dogged performance that restricted the National League South’s form team to a single first half chance and a second period that saw the Angels take the game to their hosts to earn a 72nd minute lead through Ronnie Nelson, only to be pegged back four minutes later.
Jay reflected after the match, played out in persistent rain, “It’s a good point away from home. In general you take a point away, but to come to Boreham Wood, for me, one of the best sides in the league, it was a good test for us today. But when you are in the lead in the 75th minute, especially after a really good team performance, it is disappointing to have conceded in the way we have from a set piece but it is a good point for us, especially on the back of two home wins.”
One change was made from the starting XI that beat Chesham United on Tuesday evening with Sean Shields niggling ankle injury sidelining him for Scott Wagstaff to step iin.
Boreham Wood came into the game on the back of five straight wins, no defeats in nine and an in-form striker in Kwesi Appiah who had scored eight times in the last five games.
The noisy, boisterous Blue Army were in fine voice but that was probably masking a nervousness as the home side put the Angels under expected early pressure. Matt Rowley needed to be alert to turn over the bar a cross-cum-shot from Jon Benton and, in the fifth minute, he made a superb, low save to his right to thwart Appiah adding to his impressive tally.
As the rain started to fall more heavily, the visitors began to grow into the game and whilst the Boreham Wood goalkeeper, Nathan Ashmore, was largely untested, the threat of the hosts was being comfortably resisted.
Rowley was brought into action again on 38 minutes saving well from Jayden Richardson, before the Angels supporters left the comfort of the covered North Bank to brave the elements at the open end, buoyed by their favourites resolute display.
Jay’s half-time team talk had asked his side to show more belief and in the opening seven minutes of the second half two great chances had been created. After two minutes, Trevan Robinson who had continuously stretched a mountainous back three, broke clear and his pass into the box found Mo Dabre but a goal saving challenge denied an effort on goal.
Five minutes later, a free kick from Liam Vincent was narrowly wide of Ashmore’s left hand post, and when the goalkeeper spilled a cross from Vincent, it was the Angels who were knocking at the door.
Boreham Wood wrested back the momentum and the Angels back line were desperately throwing bodies in the way of shots from Benton and Appiah before Jack Payne fired over from 20 yards.
On 72 minutes, the Christmas tree lights shone brightly when Vincent’s cross was fumbled by Ashmore and there was Nelson to stab home his first goal for the club.
Sadly, the joy was short-lived. A corner saw a clearance rebound into the path of Lee Ndlovu who finished from around six yards.
A big finish from the home side was only to be expected but, although Rowley was asked to turn over a shot from Tom Whelan, Tonbridge saw the game out without any undue alarm and it was Ashmore that needed to make an added time save from Vincent.
“You’ve got to believe was the general message to all of them at half time. Defensively, first half we were excellent, they had one shot and then second half we were a little bit better on the ball and asked a few more questions, got into some good areas, maybe cold have nicked another goal . I’m not saying they didn’t get chances but for the majority of the game, it was a good, disciplined away performance,” Jay summed up with a final message to the supporters; “Fantastic again today, and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”
Sunday, 22 December 2024
Gillingham 2 Cheltenham Town 2
Match 54/24/2293 - Friday, 20th December 2024 - EF League Two
Gillingham (1) 2 J. Clarke 24 Lapslie 68
Cheltenham Town (1) 2 Young 36 Miller 60
Attendance: 5,938
Admission: £20
Mileage: 48/3,894
Match Report
Gillingham (1) 2 J. Clarke 24 Lapslie 68
Cheltenham Town (1) 2 Young 36 Miller 60
Attendance: 5,938
Admission: £20
Mileage: 48/3,894
Match Report
Tonbridge Angels 1 Chesham United 0
Match 53/24/2292 - Tuesday, 17th December 2024 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Robinson 17
Chesham United (0) 0
Attendance: 684
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,846
Tonbridge Angels’ back line had every sinew stretched during a second half onslaught from their visitors, Chesham United and when that line was breached there was a Player of the Match performance from goalkeeper Matt Rowley to preserve the clean sheet for three precious points.
Jay Saunders, interviewed after the match said, “There wasn’t a lot of difference between the sides. We have come up against a very good team. We had our spells in the first half after a nightmare start. Chesham are very good on set pieces, long throws into the box which we didn’t deal with; a penalty early doors that, thankfully, Matt has saved and then we had a spell when we were better, scored our goal and a chance to go 2-0 up which we didn’t take. In the second half, against the wind, we struggled to get out. The boys dug deep and we’ve managed to get the three points, so I’ll take that and move on.”
On a cold Tuesday evening with a little light rain in the air, Saunders made two changes to the side that took the points on Saturday with Harry Ottaway and Trevan Robinson coming in for Scott Wagstaff and Makise Evans, both of whom dropping to the bench alongside Garrett Kelly, a new signing from Welling United.
In a first half just about shaded by the Angels, Chesham were awarded a penalty after seven minutes when Callum Adebiyi went down in the box after a challenge from Jamie Fielding. The Chesham skipper stepped up for the spot kick but Rowley dived low to his right to turn the ball away and begin a terrific evening for the on loan Reading stopper.
The penalty miss, rather than deflate Chesham, saw them draw confidence to give the Angels an uncomfortable 10 minutes before Trevan Robinson put the hosts in front. The striker was sent clear down the right hand side by Ottaway and after his initial effort had rebounded back to him off a retreating Chesham defender, he swept his shot into the the top corner at the far post.
The Angels might, no should, have given themselves a more comfortable evening on 26 minutes when a surging run to the byline from Ethan Sutcliffe ended with a cross to the far post where Robinson, sliding in, somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from a matter of inches.
Chesham continued to show plenty of threat, especially down the right from where Connor Roberts produced a string of crosses that put the centre of the Angels defence under aerial pressure.
By the time the half-time whistle sounded, the Angels were just about good value for their lead but all the warnings had been made that a difficult second period would ensue.
Chesham’s leading goalscorer, Nathan Minhas, was proving a real handful and it took a superb tackle from Ronny Nelson to stop him in his tracks on 55 minutes.
Just past the hour, four successive corners were swept in from both sides, the third of which saw a great shot from Brad Clayton bring another excellent save from Rowley.
Whilst the pressure from the visitors was intense, the rearguard action from the Angels was denying any clear-cut chances and, on the counter on a couple of occasions, Mo Dabre was able to break clear.
Referee Isaac Searle caused much frustration with three minutes of regular time to play when Tonbridge broke clear only to be pulled back for an innocuous head injury that barely needed attention.
A moment of madness from Chesham’s Jack Cawley, who kicked out at substitute Evans as the Angels sought to keep the ball in a corner, a second yellow card brought a red, and gave the Angels a more comfortable six minutes of added time than they might have expected.
In reply to Matt Davison’s comment regarding the impressive defensive performance, Saunders responded: “I’m only disappointed that we didn’t get onto the ball enough in the second half. It’s a fine line, we have had games this season, Gosport away, when we have had loads of the ball and not come away with the right result, whereas the last couple we haven’t been as good on the ball but we have won the points. But the defensive display is another clean sheet and is excellent. Matt in goal and the back three marshalled them well and they have a very good front line.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Robinson 17
Chesham United (0) 0
Attendance: 684
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,846
Tonbridge Angels’ back line had every sinew stretched during a second half onslaught from their visitors, Chesham United and when that line was breached there was a Player of the Match performance from goalkeeper Matt Rowley to preserve the clean sheet for three precious points.
Jay Saunders, interviewed after the match said, “There wasn’t a lot of difference between the sides. We have come up against a very good team. We had our spells in the first half after a nightmare start. Chesham are very good on set pieces, long throws into the box which we didn’t deal with; a penalty early doors that, thankfully, Matt has saved and then we had a spell when we were better, scored our goal and a chance to go 2-0 up which we didn’t take. In the second half, against the wind, we struggled to get out. The boys dug deep and we’ve managed to get the three points, so I’ll take that and move on.”
On a cold Tuesday evening with a little light rain in the air, Saunders made two changes to the side that took the points on Saturday with Harry Ottaway and Trevan Robinson coming in for Scott Wagstaff and Makise Evans, both of whom dropping to the bench alongside Garrett Kelly, a new signing from Welling United.
In a first half just about shaded by the Angels, Chesham were awarded a penalty after seven minutes when Callum Adebiyi went down in the box after a challenge from Jamie Fielding. The Chesham skipper stepped up for the spot kick but Rowley dived low to his right to turn the ball away and begin a terrific evening for the on loan Reading stopper.
The penalty miss, rather than deflate Chesham, saw them draw confidence to give the Angels an uncomfortable 10 minutes before Trevan Robinson put the hosts in front. The striker was sent clear down the right hand side by Ottaway and after his initial effort had rebounded back to him off a retreating Chesham defender, he swept his shot into the the top corner at the far post.
The Angels might, no should, have given themselves a more comfortable evening on 26 minutes when a surging run to the byline from Ethan Sutcliffe ended with a cross to the far post where Robinson, sliding in, somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from a matter of inches.
Chesham continued to show plenty of threat, especially down the right from where Connor Roberts produced a string of crosses that put the centre of the Angels defence under aerial pressure.
By the time the half-time whistle sounded, the Angels were just about good value for their lead but all the warnings had been made that a difficult second period would ensue.
Chesham’s leading goalscorer, Nathan Minhas, was proving a real handful and it took a superb tackle from Ronny Nelson to stop him in his tracks on 55 minutes.
Just past the hour, four successive corners were swept in from both sides, the third of which saw a great shot from Brad Clayton bring another excellent save from Rowley.
Whilst the pressure from the visitors was intense, the rearguard action from the Angels was denying any clear-cut chances and, on the counter on a couple of occasions, Mo Dabre was able to break clear.
Referee Isaac Searle caused much frustration with three minutes of regular time to play when Tonbridge broke clear only to be pulled back for an innocuous head injury that barely needed attention.
A moment of madness from Chesham’s Jack Cawley, who kicked out at substitute Evans as the Angels sought to keep the ball in a corner, a second yellow card brought a red, and gave the Angels a more comfortable six minutes of added time than they might have expected.
In reply to Matt Davison’s comment regarding the impressive defensive performance, Saunders responded: “I’m only disappointed that we didn’t get onto the ball enough in the second half. It’s a fine line, we have had games this season, Gosport away, when we have had loads of the ball and not come away with the right result, whereas the last couple we haven’t been as good on the ball but we have won the points. But the defensive display is another clean sheet and is excellent. Matt in goal and the back three marshalled them well and they have a very good front line.”
Tonbridge Angels 2 Aveley 1
Match 52/24/2291 - Saturday, 14th December 2024 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Ring (o.g.) 19 Sutcliffe 78
Aveley (1) 1 Akanbi 21
Attendance: 927
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,808
“It wasn’t the prettiest of games to watch. Response-wise I’m pleased with the boys, that was a tough one today they took a lot of stick from us, from the supporters and the first half we looked very nervy. We did what we didn’t do on Tuesday night, work hard and win individual battles, which we did in large parts. It was about bouncing back and we’ve done that,” said Jay Saunders after the Angels returned to winning ways following the disappointing midweek reverse against, the then basement club, Enfield Town with a hard earned win against Aveley.
Saunders shuffled his pack with Crossley Lema, Mo Dabre and Makise Evans returning to the starting XI for Charlie Pegrum (sickness), Taylor Maloney (injured) and Harry Ottaway, who took a place on the bench.
The first half was evenly contested and neither set of supporters, in an impressive pre-Christmas attendance of 927, could argue with the teams returning to the dressing rooms at the break with the scoreline level.
The first real chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors when ex-Angel Ibby Akanbi fired well over after 10 minutes. But it was the Angels that took the lead after 19 minutes when a move that. started with goalkeeper Matt Rowley saw an interchange of passes between Sean Shields and Liam Vincent before the latter's cross was turned into his own net by the Aveley captain Jason Ring, giving James Holden no chance.
Tonbridge’s lead was to last barely two minutes when Akanbi took his opportunity clinically after a challenge between Iram Uche and Scott Wagstaff saw the ball loop beyond Ethan Sutcliffe to the welcoming feet of Akanbi.
Neither side was able to gain control of the game in the remainder of the first half with a headed chance for Mo Dabre for the home side and a last minute header from Manny Ogunrinde the best of the chances to add to the score.
Whilst the game remained evenly contested in the second period, Tonbridge were just about shading both the possession and the threat. Dabre steered a header narrowly wide and, just past the hour, substitute Trevan Robinson headed over.
The breakthrough for the home side finally arrived on 76 minutes when a right sided corner from Shields found the head of Sutcliffe, who climbed highest in a forest of bodies to steer it between Holden and his right hand post.
The final chance of the remaining minutes fell to the home side when a free kick was headed goalwards by Harry Ottaway but evaded the far post and the Angels saw the game home with a good spell of retained possession.
Saunders summed up: “Aveley won’t be down there at the end of the season, they are very good at what they do, they work really hard and don’t let you settle. Could we play better? One hundred per cent. Were we at our best? No, but for me, today was about getting the three points and we know we can improve.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Ring (o.g.) 19 Sutcliffe 78
Aveley (1) 1 Akanbi 21
Attendance: 927
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,808
“It wasn’t the prettiest of games to watch. Response-wise I’m pleased with the boys, that was a tough one today they took a lot of stick from us, from the supporters and the first half we looked very nervy. We did what we didn’t do on Tuesday night, work hard and win individual battles, which we did in large parts. It was about bouncing back and we’ve done that,” said Jay Saunders after the Angels returned to winning ways following the disappointing midweek reverse against, the then basement club, Enfield Town with a hard earned win against Aveley.
Saunders shuffled his pack with Crossley Lema, Mo Dabre and Makise Evans returning to the starting XI for Charlie Pegrum (sickness), Taylor Maloney (injured) and Harry Ottaway, who took a place on the bench.
The first half was evenly contested and neither set of supporters, in an impressive pre-Christmas attendance of 927, could argue with the teams returning to the dressing rooms at the break with the scoreline level.
The first real chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors when ex-Angel Ibby Akanbi fired well over after 10 minutes. But it was the Angels that took the lead after 19 minutes when a move that. started with goalkeeper Matt Rowley saw an interchange of passes between Sean Shields and Liam Vincent before the latter's cross was turned into his own net by the Aveley captain Jason Ring, giving James Holden no chance.
Tonbridge’s lead was to last barely two minutes when Akanbi took his opportunity clinically after a challenge between Iram Uche and Scott Wagstaff saw the ball loop beyond Ethan Sutcliffe to the welcoming feet of Akanbi.
Neither side was able to gain control of the game in the remainder of the first half with a headed chance for Mo Dabre for the home side and a last minute header from Manny Ogunrinde the best of the chances to add to the score.
Whilst the game remained evenly contested in the second period, Tonbridge were just about shading both the possession and the threat. Dabre steered a header narrowly wide and, just past the hour, substitute Trevan Robinson headed over.
The breakthrough for the home side finally arrived on 76 minutes when a right sided corner from Shields found the head of Sutcliffe, who climbed highest in a forest of bodies to steer it between Holden and his right hand post.
The final chance of the remaining minutes fell to the home side when a free kick was headed goalwards by Harry Ottaway but evaded the far post and the Angels saw the game home with a good spell of retained possession.
Saunders summed up: “Aveley won’t be down there at the end of the season, they are very good at what they do, they work really hard and don’t let you settle. Could we play better? One hundred per cent. Were we at our best? No, but for me, today was about getting the three points and we know we can improve.”
Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Tonbridge Angels 1 Enfield Town 3
Match 51/24/2290 - Tuesday, 10th December 2024 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Fielding
Enfield Town (2) 3 Hutchinson Youngs
Attendance: 798
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,770
If ever there was an illustration that nothing can be taken for granted in this, an elite division, it was encompassed in 90 frustrating minutes for the Angels.
Enfield Town, without a win in eight games and bottom of the table, arrived at the Halcyon Wealth, Longmead Stadium to meet a Tonbridge Angels side that were unbeaten in league matches at home but were to return to north London with three very handy points in their back pocket.
When asked where the performance of his side had come from, Jay Saunders honestly answered: “I’m not sure. I’m not going to stand here and defend anyone but all over the park we weren’t good enough tonight. I think it’s a mentality thing, You turn up, we are playing a team bottom of the league and we are unbeaten at home and I think some of the boys just thought we would roll them over.
“We made them fully aware that Enfield have some good individual players. They’ve played this league and higher, regardless of their league position but too many turned up and expected to go through the motions and we lost too many individual battles. We didn’t do that side of it that you have to do against teams down the bottom which is show fight and desire.”
On a cold, damp evening at Longmead, Jay made one change from the team that saw League action at Weymouth with Sean Shields coming in for Makise Evans, who took a place on the bench.
In contrast to how the game was to materialise, the Angels positively roared out of the traps with a first minute shot from Shields being acrobatically turned over the bar by the Enfield Town goalkeeper, Rhys Forster, and from the resulting corner, Jeremy Santos saw his shot comfortably saved by the visiting custodian.
The first warning shot that the visitors were not here to make up the numbers came on six minutes when ex-Angel loanee, Jake Hutchinson, dragged his shot narrowly wide from close range.
Enfield took the lead on 20 minutes when a cross from the right from Lennon Peake was met with a deft header from Hutchinson that was steered beyond the reach of Matt Rowley to nestle into the corner of the net.
Rowley was then asked to make a brilliant stop, three minutes later, pushing Sam Youngs shot away at full stretch to safety with the help of the post.
Just past the half-hour, Enfield Town doubled their advantage. A left-sided corner was headed on at the near post by Bayley Brown where it was met with a second header from Hutchinson.
A quick response was needed from the Angels, and their supporters got it, when a Shields corner saw Jamie Fielding duck into space to bury a header and give the home side something to take into the second period.
After five minutes of the second half, in which Ethan Sutcliffe put a header over, Saunders made changes with Taylor Maloney being replaced by Ryan Hanson and moments later, Evans came on for Charlie Pegrum.
Santos flashed a cross across the face of goal that begged a touch and, on the hour, Scott Wagstaff was replaced by Mo Dabre. This was quickly followed by a fourth change when Crossley Lema entered the fray for Sutcliffe.
Dabre’s injection of energy gave the Angels fresh impetus and on 74 minutes he was sent clear but one-on-one with Forster, the goalkeeper saved with his legs and, came off best two minutes later when Dabre’s shot was saved at the second attempt.
But, with 10 minutes remaining, Tonbridge succumbed to the sucker punch when a quickly taken throw saw Youngs go clear to finish clinically from a tight angle.
Jay summed up: “Enfield deserved to win, we weren’t good enough. If you look at possession, we had more than them but did we do anything with it? No. We gave them two goals to hang on to and to slow things down which – and fair play to them – they did really well. I can’t stand here and say we deserved to win that game of football because we didn’t do enough and we were nowhere near good enough tonight.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Fielding
Enfield Town (2) 3 Hutchinson Youngs
Attendance: 798
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,770
If ever there was an illustration that nothing can be taken for granted in this, an elite division, it was encompassed in 90 frustrating minutes for the Angels.
Enfield Town, without a win in eight games and bottom of the table, arrived at the Halcyon Wealth, Longmead Stadium to meet a Tonbridge Angels side that were unbeaten in league matches at home but were to return to north London with three very handy points in their back pocket.
When asked where the performance of his side had come from, Jay Saunders honestly answered: “I’m not sure. I’m not going to stand here and defend anyone but all over the park we weren’t good enough tonight. I think it’s a mentality thing, You turn up, we are playing a team bottom of the league and we are unbeaten at home and I think some of the boys just thought we would roll them over.
“We made them fully aware that Enfield have some good individual players. They’ve played this league and higher, regardless of their league position but too many turned up and expected to go through the motions and we lost too many individual battles. We didn’t do that side of it that you have to do against teams down the bottom which is show fight and desire.”
On a cold, damp evening at Longmead, Jay made one change from the team that saw League action at Weymouth with Sean Shields coming in for Makise Evans, who took a place on the bench.
In contrast to how the game was to materialise, the Angels positively roared out of the traps with a first minute shot from Shields being acrobatically turned over the bar by the Enfield Town goalkeeper, Rhys Forster, and from the resulting corner, Jeremy Santos saw his shot comfortably saved by the visiting custodian.
The first warning shot that the visitors were not here to make up the numbers came on six minutes when ex-Angel loanee, Jake Hutchinson, dragged his shot narrowly wide from close range.
Enfield took the lead on 20 minutes when a cross from the right from Lennon Peake was met with a deft header from Hutchinson that was steered beyond the reach of Matt Rowley to nestle into the corner of the net.
Rowley was then asked to make a brilliant stop, three minutes later, pushing Sam Youngs shot away at full stretch to safety with the help of the post.
Just past the half-hour, Enfield Town doubled their advantage. A left-sided corner was headed on at the near post by Bayley Brown where it was met with a second header from Hutchinson.
A quick response was needed from the Angels, and their supporters got it, when a Shields corner saw Jamie Fielding duck into space to bury a header and give the home side something to take into the second period.
After five minutes of the second half, in which Ethan Sutcliffe put a header over, Saunders made changes with Taylor Maloney being replaced by Ryan Hanson and moments later, Evans came on for Charlie Pegrum.
Santos flashed a cross across the face of goal that begged a touch and, on the hour, Scott Wagstaff was replaced by Mo Dabre. This was quickly followed by a fourth change when Crossley Lema entered the fray for Sutcliffe.
Dabre’s injection of energy gave the Angels fresh impetus and on 74 minutes he was sent clear but one-on-one with Forster, the goalkeeper saved with his legs and, came off best two minutes later when Dabre’s shot was saved at the second attempt.
But, with 10 minutes remaining, Tonbridge succumbed to the sucker punch when a quickly taken throw saw Youngs go clear to finish clinically from a tight angle.
Jay summed up: “Enfield deserved to win, we weren’t good enough. If you look at possession, we had more than them but did we do anything with it? No. We gave them two goals to hang on to and to slow things down which – and fair play to them – they did really well. I can’t stand here and say we deserved to win that game of football because we didn’t do enough and we were nowhere near good enough tonight.”
Sunday, 8 December 2024
Gillingham 1 Salford City 0
Match 50/24/2289 - Saturday, 7th December 2024 - League Two
Gillingham (0) 1 Clarke
Salford City (0) 0
Attendance: 5,278
Admission: £20
Mileage: 45/3,732
Gillingham (0) 1 Clarke
Salford City (0) 0
Attendance: 5,278
Admission: £20
Mileage: 45/3,732
Thursday, 5 December 2024
Tonbridge Angels 2 Herne Bay 1
Match 49/24/2288 - Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 - Kent Senior Cup QF
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Sutcliffe 25 Robinson 65
Herne Bay (1) 1 Salako 36
Attendance: 278
Admission: £8
Mileage: 38/3,687
Tonbridge Angels progressed to the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup with a narrow win against a stubborn Herne Bay side that stayed in game for its duration.
“It sounds good (to be through the the semi-final), that was the plan at the beginning of the night but I’m not overly impressed with the team performance. It’s difficult when you make seven changes, there’s some lads in there that haven’t played for some time so this competition is important for that, let alone actually trying to win it, it’s good for us to be able to give some of the boys a game. We are through, I thought Herne Bay worked really hard, put us under a lot of pressure and didn’t let us settle and we made hard work of it,” commented Jay Saunders after the match.
The seven changes referred to saw Andrew Norburn make his first senior start between the sticks. Crossley Lema, Ryan Hanson, Trevan Robinson, Deondre Date, Naz Bakrin and Mo Dabre being the starters from Saturday’s side at Weymouth.
It was one of those nights cold enough to see a cloud of steam coming off the players whenever there was a huddle following an injury and the vast majority of the attendance, including a very vocal cluster up from the east Kent coast, seeking the relative warmth of the covered enclosures.
The opening half-hour was pretty much one-way traffic with the Angels dominating. A third minute corner was met with a header from Hanson that was blocked with the follow-up shot going over and minutes later, Date flashed a shot across the face of goal.
On 24 minutes, Robinson was sent clear by Santos, who through the evening was the centre of everything, but he had his angle narrowed by Josh Bexon, the visiting goalkeeper, who deflected the ball away for a corner, the result of which being delivered by Santos to the head of Ethan Sutcliffe who scored from around six yards.
Herne Bay’s first real foray into the Angels’ territory brought a surprise equaliser on 36 minutes when the dangerous strike pair of Kane Haysman and Michael Salako linked well for the latter to finish into the bottom corner. Haysman, three minutes later, forced Norburn into his first save.
The crossbar thwarted the Angels taking a half-time lead when a corner from Santos was worked to the edge of the box from where a driven shot from Hanson rattled the woodwork.
The half-time break saw Scott Wagstaff, who had taken a heavy knock, replaced by Liam Vincent and this almost brought an instant dividend as he flashed one of his trademark crosses into the box that evaded everyone.
On the hour, Vincent’s cross to the far post saw Robinson hook the ball over the bar at the near post, before the striker received a superb crossfield pass from Sutcliffe to cut in from the left and bury his shot into the bottom corner to restore the Angels’ lead.
Chances to put the tie to bed came and went for the home side as Sutcliffe saw a header cleared from the line and Vincent’s shot clear the bar after good build up between Robinson and Lema.
A late free kick for Herne Bay on the edge of the box produced a nervous moment but the shot clear the bar and the game was seen out comfortably.
Dover beat Deal to seal one of the other semi-final positions with games between Bromley and Ebbsfleet, Phoenix Sports versus Welling to secure the other places.
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Sutcliffe 25 Robinson 65
Herne Bay (1) 1 Salako 36
Attendance: 278
Admission: £8
Mileage: 38/3,687
Tonbridge Angels progressed to the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup with a narrow win against a stubborn Herne Bay side that stayed in game for its duration.
“It sounds good (to be through the the semi-final), that was the plan at the beginning of the night but I’m not overly impressed with the team performance. It’s difficult when you make seven changes, there’s some lads in there that haven’t played for some time so this competition is important for that, let alone actually trying to win it, it’s good for us to be able to give some of the boys a game. We are through, I thought Herne Bay worked really hard, put us under a lot of pressure and didn’t let us settle and we made hard work of it,” commented Jay Saunders after the match.
The seven changes referred to saw Andrew Norburn make his first senior start between the sticks. Crossley Lema, Ryan Hanson, Trevan Robinson, Deondre Date, Naz Bakrin and Mo Dabre being the starters from Saturday’s side at Weymouth.
It was one of those nights cold enough to see a cloud of steam coming off the players whenever there was a huddle following an injury and the vast majority of the attendance, including a very vocal cluster up from the east Kent coast, seeking the relative warmth of the covered enclosures.
The opening half-hour was pretty much one-way traffic with the Angels dominating. A third minute corner was met with a header from Hanson that was blocked with the follow-up shot going over and minutes later, Date flashed a shot across the face of goal.
On 24 minutes, Robinson was sent clear by Santos, who through the evening was the centre of everything, but he had his angle narrowed by Josh Bexon, the visiting goalkeeper, who deflected the ball away for a corner, the result of which being delivered by Santos to the head of Ethan Sutcliffe who scored from around six yards.
Herne Bay’s first real foray into the Angels’ territory brought a surprise equaliser on 36 minutes when the dangerous strike pair of Kane Haysman and Michael Salako linked well for the latter to finish into the bottom corner. Haysman, three minutes later, forced Norburn into his first save.
The crossbar thwarted the Angels taking a half-time lead when a corner from Santos was worked to the edge of the box from where a driven shot from Hanson rattled the woodwork.
The half-time break saw Scott Wagstaff, who had taken a heavy knock, replaced by Liam Vincent and this almost brought an instant dividend as he flashed one of his trademark crosses into the box that evaded everyone.
On the hour, Vincent’s cross to the far post saw Robinson hook the ball over the bar at the near post, before the striker received a superb crossfield pass from Sutcliffe to cut in from the left and bury his shot into the bottom corner to restore the Angels’ lead.
Chances to put the tie to bed came and went for the home side as Sutcliffe saw a header cleared from the line and Vincent’s shot clear the bar after good build up between Robinson and Lema.
A late free kick for Herne Bay on the edge of the box produced a nervous moment but the shot clear the bar and the game was seen out comfortably.
Dover beat Deal to seal one of the other semi-final positions with games between Bromley and Ebbsfleet, Phoenix Sports versus Welling to secure the other places.
Sheppey United U18 0 Tonbridge Angels U18 4
Match 48/24/2287 - Monday, 2nd December 2024 - Isthmian Youth
Sheppey United U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 4 Penman 12 Famibafobee 28 Larkin 32 (pen) Pritchard 48
Attendance: 40
Admission: £5
Mileage: 54/3,649 cThe Under-18’s cruised back to winning ways on Monday with a comfortable four goal win at Sheppey United.
Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was a dominant performance and we played some outstanding football in large periods that perhaps deserved more goals but the final pass didn’t always land.”
It was also good to see patience rewarded for a player who shone on the night: “A top performance from Rush Broderick, he has waited for his opportunity and absolutely took it tonight.”
When the wind blows off the estuary at Sheppey, it makes for a cold night and the number of “hoods up” bears testimony to the chill wind.
Tonbridge dominated the game from the first whistle to practically the last, although much credit should be given to the Sheppey side that acquitted themselves to a difficult task, especially in the second half.
After early chances for Fiachra Pritchard and Robert Penman, the Angels took the lead after 15 minutes when Broderick set up Penman to score from the edge of the six yard box.
One-way traffic was maintained before, after 28 minutes, Adam Larkin’s cross found Tolu Fabimafobee in space on the right side of the box to finish between the goalkeeper and his near post.
Just past the half-hour, the Angels were awarded a justified, but somewhat fortunate, penalty as a defender stumbled and fell on the ball clearly handling it in the process. Larkin converted from the spot.
Before the break, Noah Millis struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that cannoned down from the underside of the crossbar with the goalkeeper saving from River Ballach.
An early second half goal from Pritchard after good approach play from Fabimafobee and Ballach might have opened the door for an avalanche of goals but Sheppey worked hard to avoid such an occurrence.
The home side had their first real opportunity of the night on 55 minutes when their centre forward, who had grafted tirelessly, saw his shot go narrowly wide and the Angels’ goalkeeper, Josh Hanson, needed to be alert to save from the same attacker.
The Angels had several opportunities to add to their total but their touch in front of goal eluded them through the second period.
Sheppey United U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 4 Penman 12 Famibafobee 28 Larkin 32 (pen) Pritchard 48
Attendance: 40
Admission: £5
Mileage: 54/3,649 cThe Under-18’s cruised back to winning ways on Monday with a comfortable four goal win at Sheppey United.
Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was a dominant performance and we played some outstanding football in large periods that perhaps deserved more goals but the final pass didn’t always land.”
It was also good to see patience rewarded for a player who shone on the night: “A top performance from Rush Broderick, he has waited for his opportunity and absolutely took it tonight.”
When the wind blows off the estuary at Sheppey, it makes for a cold night and the number of “hoods up” bears testimony to the chill wind.
Tonbridge dominated the game from the first whistle to practically the last, although much credit should be given to the Sheppey side that acquitted themselves to a difficult task, especially in the second half.
After early chances for Fiachra Pritchard and Robert Penman, the Angels took the lead after 15 minutes when Broderick set up Penman to score from the edge of the six yard box.
One-way traffic was maintained before, after 28 minutes, Adam Larkin’s cross found Tolu Fabimafobee in space on the right side of the box to finish between the goalkeeper and his near post.
Just past the half-hour, the Angels were awarded a justified, but somewhat fortunate, penalty as a defender stumbled and fell on the ball clearly handling it in the process. Larkin converted from the spot.
Before the break, Noah Millis struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that cannoned down from the underside of the crossbar with the goalkeeper saving from River Ballach.
An early second half goal from Pritchard after good approach play from Fabimafobee and Ballach might have opened the door for an avalanche of goals but Sheppey worked hard to avoid such an occurrence.
The home side had their first real opportunity of the night on 55 minutes when their centre forward, who had grafted tirelessly, saw his shot go narrowly wide and the Angels’ goalkeeper, Josh Hanson, needed to be alert to save from the same attacker.
The Angels had several opportunities to add to their total but their touch in front of goal eluded them through the second period.
Glebe 1 Tunbridge Wells 1
Match 47/24/2286 - Saturday, 30th November 2024 - SCEFL Premier
Glebe (0) 1 Bamber 52
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Hudson 45
Attendance: 100
Admission: £8
Mileage: 65/3,595
Glebe (0) 1 Bamber 52
Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Hudson 45
Attendance: 100
Admission: £8
Mileage: 65/3,595
Welling United 2 Tonbridge Angels 2
Match 46/24/2285 - Tuesday, 26th November 2024 - National League South
Welling United (2) 2 Lankshear 11 Redfearn 19
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Vincent 60,78 (pen)
Attendance: 503
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 86/3,530
How’s your glass? If it’s half full, then a point from 2-0 down after 20 minutes is a good one. If it’s half empty, then a second half of one-way traffic might well have ended with that elusive first-ever win against Welling at Park View Road.
A first 20 minutes in which the home side didn’t exactly spring from the traps, more so that the Angels didn’t leave them at all, saw them two goals down that could easily have been three, and possibly game over, had it not been for a goal line clearance.
Jay Saunders said of the slow start: “The first half hour wasn’t good enough. Away from home you need to be solid, you need to be hard to beat. I thought we came here and expected the game to be played at our tempo and our own way but the players have to earn the right away from home, especially when you come to a team that have not been on the best of runs but had a great result at Slough (on Saturday), they were obviously up for it and we weren’t awake One of our supporters shouted “wake up” that hit the nail on the head, we just hadn’t got going.”
On a coldish night, mercifully dry, Saunders elected to go with the side that beat Hemel Hempstead Town at Longmead on Saturday and with the relative short journey to South London, there was a healthy following of Angels supporters in attendance.
An 11th minute attack from the home side saw a dangerous cross from Paul Osew that was deflected away for a corner, from which Alex Lankshear was allowed to climb, unchallenged, at the far post, to head home.
Two minutes later another corner spelt trouble for the Angels as Jack Burchill’s stabbed shot needed Charlie Pegrum to head from the line.
Tonbridge threatened to get back on terms after 15 minutes when a through ball from Sean Shields sent Makise Evans clear but the Welling goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett, was quick off his line to smother with the rebound falling to Mo Dabre, who could only shoot into the side netting.
On 19 minutes, the Angels fell two behind, when a cross from the right from Chiori Johnson was met by Josh Redfearn with a touch that took it beyond Matt Rowley and into the far corner.
A reaction was certainly needed and Tonbridge needed to wake from their slumbers and the first seeds of a recovery were planted when they were denied a clear penalty after 23 minutes when Dabre got in front of his marker to be wrestled to the ground only for the appeals to be waved away.
Jay Saunders made two half-time substitutions with Crossley Lema replacing Ethan Sutcliffe and Taylor Maloney replacing Ryan Hanson with a change of shape that saw them going to a four along the back line. Both Lema and Maloney, ex of the parish of Welling, made an immediate impact with Maloney’s cross from the left finding its way across the face of goal to strike the far post and Lema’s cross that saw an effort from Evans clear the bar.
A sigh of relief was breathed when a good opportunity for Burchill was struck wide before, on the hour, the Angels reduced the deficit as a right-sided free kick from Liam Vincent found the gap between Lovatt and his post.
Evans headed over from an inviting cross before, on 78 minutes, a corner from Shields was headed towards the far post and as Evans tried to get to the loose ball he was bundled to the ground by Garrett Kelly, who saw a second yellow and subsequent red for his efforts.
Vincent stepped up to calmly strike the ball into the bottom corner, giving Lovatt no chance.
With the man advantage and momentum, the Angels searched for the winner and the big chance came in the final minute of regular time when Evans was sent clear by Shields but Lovatt made a really good stop with the follow-up from Pegrum clearing the bar.
Jay Saunders summed up: “It was interesting before the game, there were a few of the subs that were disappointed not to start and I said that the subs are going to be massive tonight and, to be fair, everyone of them that came on, first Taylor and Crossley were excellent, Santos came on and made a difference and Deondre when he came on, so that was a positive out of tonight.”
Welling United (2) 2 Lankshear 11 Redfearn 19
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Vincent 60,78 (pen)
Attendance: 503
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 86/3,530
How’s your glass? If it’s half full, then a point from 2-0 down after 20 minutes is a good one. If it’s half empty, then a second half of one-way traffic might well have ended with that elusive first-ever win against Welling at Park View Road.
A first 20 minutes in which the home side didn’t exactly spring from the traps, more so that the Angels didn’t leave them at all, saw them two goals down that could easily have been three, and possibly game over, had it not been for a goal line clearance.
Jay Saunders said of the slow start: “The first half hour wasn’t good enough. Away from home you need to be solid, you need to be hard to beat. I thought we came here and expected the game to be played at our tempo and our own way but the players have to earn the right away from home, especially when you come to a team that have not been on the best of runs but had a great result at Slough (on Saturday), they were obviously up for it and we weren’t awake One of our supporters shouted “wake up” that hit the nail on the head, we just hadn’t got going.”
On a coldish night, mercifully dry, Saunders elected to go with the side that beat Hemel Hempstead Town at Longmead on Saturday and with the relative short journey to South London, there was a healthy following of Angels supporters in attendance.
An 11th minute attack from the home side saw a dangerous cross from Paul Osew that was deflected away for a corner, from which Alex Lankshear was allowed to climb, unchallenged, at the far post, to head home.
Two minutes later another corner spelt trouble for the Angels as Jack Burchill’s stabbed shot needed Charlie Pegrum to head from the line.
Tonbridge threatened to get back on terms after 15 minutes when a through ball from Sean Shields sent Makise Evans clear but the Welling goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett, was quick off his line to smother with the rebound falling to Mo Dabre, who could only shoot into the side netting.
On 19 minutes, the Angels fell two behind, when a cross from the right from Chiori Johnson was met by Josh Redfearn with a touch that took it beyond Matt Rowley and into the far corner.
A reaction was certainly needed and Tonbridge needed to wake from their slumbers and the first seeds of a recovery were planted when they were denied a clear penalty after 23 minutes when Dabre got in front of his marker to be wrestled to the ground only for the appeals to be waved away.
Jay Saunders made two half-time substitutions with Crossley Lema replacing Ethan Sutcliffe and Taylor Maloney replacing Ryan Hanson with a change of shape that saw them going to a four along the back line. Both Lema and Maloney, ex of the parish of Welling, made an immediate impact with Maloney’s cross from the left finding its way across the face of goal to strike the far post and Lema’s cross that saw an effort from Evans clear the bar.
A sigh of relief was breathed when a good opportunity for Burchill was struck wide before, on the hour, the Angels reduced the deficit as a right-sided free kick from Liam Vincent found the gap between Lovatt and his post.
Evans headed over from an inviting cross before, on 78 minutes, a corner from Shields was headed towards the far post and as Evans tried to get to the loose ball he was bundled to the ground by Garrett Kelly, who saw a second yellow and subsequent red for his efforts.
Vincent stepped up to calmly strike the ball into the bottom corner, giving Lovatt no chance.
With the man advantage and momentum, the Angels searched for the winner and the big chance came in the final minute of regular time when Evans was sent clear by Shields but Lovatt made a really good stop with the follow-up from Pegrum clearing the bar.
Jay Saunders summed up: “It was interesting before the game, there were a few of the subs that were disappointed not to start and I said that the subs are going to be massive tonight and, to be fair, everyone of them that came on, first Taylor and Crossley were excellent, Santos came on and made a difference and Deondre when he came on, so that was a positive out of tonight.”
Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Welling United U18 4
Match 45/24/2284 - Monday, 25th November 2024 - Isthmian Youth
Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 3 Penman 7 Pritchard 15 Famibafobee 35
Welling United U18 (1) 4 26, 72, 87, 90
Attendance: 33
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,444
Tonbridge Angels U18 fell victim to an amazing comeback from their visitors, Welling United, who recovered from 3-1 down to take home the points with three second half goals.
Manager Dom Welsh bemoaned “silly mistakes and missed chances at pivotal moments” whilst praising the visitors on their second half performance.
It all looked plain sailing for the Angels after 15 minutes in which they had dominated the game and opened up a two goal lead. Strangely plain sailing as Welling are always one of the better sides in the division.
The opening goal came on seven minutes when a well worked short corner routine caught the visitors flat footed and ended with a shot from Robert Penman finding a heavy deflection on its way into the net. On the quarter hour a cross from the right saw Fiachra Pritchard outpace the defence to fire home.
Welling were shocked into action and after asking a couple of saves from Josh Hanson, they pulled a goal back on 26 minutes when a header was buried from a corner and they were searching hard for an equaliser, including a good save from Hanson, when the Angels restored their lead to two goals after 35 minutes when Tolu Fabimafobee tucked the ball home after a cross found him at the near post.
Welling came from the dressing room with a renewed sense of purpose but successive chances for Callum Fincham and Penman should have taken the game beyond them before, with 18 minutes remaining, they pulled a goal back with a far post header.
Momentum was with Welling and when the ball was scrambled home with four minutes remaining there was a sense of foreboding that there might still be time for a winner and so there was when, in the final minute, a cross into the box was tucked home from close range to seal a stunning comeback.
Tonbridge Angels U18 (3) 3 Penman 7 Pritchard 15 Famibafobee 35
Welling United U18 (1) 4 26, 72, 87, 90
Attendance: 33
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,444
Tonbridge Angels U18 fell victim to an amazing comeback from their visitors, Welling United, who recovered from 3-1 down to take home the points with three second half goals.
Manager Dom Welsh bemoaned “silly mistakes and missed chances at pivotal moments” whilst praising the visitors on their second half performance.
It all looked plain sailing for the Angels after 15 minutes in which they had dominated the game and opened up a two goal lead. Strangely plain sailing as Welling are always one of the better sides in the division.
The opening goal came on seven minutes when a well worked short corner routine caught the visitors flat footed and ended with a shot from Robert Penman finding a heavy deflection on its way into the net. On the quarter hour a cross from the right saw Fiachra Pritchard outpace the defence to fire home.
Welling were shocked into action and after asking a couple of saves from Josh Hanson, they pulled a goal back on 26 minutes when a header was buried from a corner and they were searching hard for an equaliser, including a good save from Hanson, when the Angels restored their lead to two goals after 35 minutes when Tolu Fabimafobee tucked the ball home after a cross found him at the near post.
Welling came from the dressing room with a renewed sense of purpose but successive chances for Callum Fincham and Penman should have taken the game beyond them before, with 18 minutes remaining, they pulled a goal back with a far post header.
Momentum was with Welling and when the ball was scrambled home with four minutes remaining there was a sense of foreboding that there might still be time for a winner and so there was when, in the final minute, a cross into the box was tucked home from close range to seal a stunning comeback.
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