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.”