Aldershot Town 3 Spennymoor Town 0

Match 103/24/2341 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Trophy Final

Aldershot Town (0) 3 Barham 48 Ellison 71 Barrett 87
Spennymoor Town (0) 0
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853

Report from Non-League Chronicles

After the Vase Final, the time came for the FA Trophy Final and what a story in prospect.

With Spennymoor Town having finished ninth in the Vanarama National League North and step 2, the Trophy has acted as a real opportunity for them to put their name in lights. Indeed they had beaten higher opposition from the National League in the shape of Sutton United and Boston United as part of their Trophy run as well as Rochdale in the semi final with a thrilling last gasp equaliser before winning on penalties.

Could they do it again and cause an upset by beating National League Aldershot Town at Wembley? Aldershot, who finished the campaign in 16th in the National League, would have been considered the favourites but the Trophy has had its share of non National League clubs winning the tournament in recent years, such as Hornchurch and Brackley Town, so could Spennymoor add their name to that list?

Well they certainly should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Finley Shrimpton broke free down the right and laid the ball back to Rob Ramshaw whose effort to the bottom left corner was tame and straight into the arms of Aldershot goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst.

Aldershot’s two main chances of the first half came via Josh Barrett - firstly trying to bend a shot into the bottom right with his shot well saved wide by Spennymoor goalkeeper Brad James for a corner before James caught an angled shot towards the top left corner.

The game needed a bit of a spark and got it when Aldershot took the lead in the 48th minute when a ball from the right by James Henry was slotted into the bottom right by Jack Barham.

After huffing and puffing from both sides Aldershot doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Dan Ellison headed home a corner from the left.

Aldershot sealed the trophy in some style three minutes from time when Josh Barrett could not have caught his volley any sweeter as the ball flew into the top right corner in an outstanding finish.

AFC Whyteleafe 1 Whitstable Town 2

Match 102/24/2340 - Sunday, 11th May 2025 - FA Vase Final

AFC Whyteleafe (1) 1 Bennett 17
Whitstable Town (0) 2 Smith 52 Sithole 100
After Extra Time
Combined Attendance: 38,600
Admission: £10
Mileage: 100/6,853

Report from Non-League Chronicles

The first game of Non-League Finals Day pitted AFC Whyteleafe against Whitstable Town in the FA Vase Final.

Whitstable were looking for silverware having missed out in the league (Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division) and playoffs as well as the Kent Senior Trophy Final.

As for AFC Whyteleafe, who knows where they finished last season?! The absolute shambles that is the Combined Counties League still have not decided on who has and has not been guilty of fielding ineligible players in the Premier Division South meaning the playoffs are still on hold and have been for some time! Surely the playoffs cannot take place in June either given the insurance on player injuries as well as potential holidays booked for players and coaches alike so a pre-season playoff tournament anyone?!

A famous resident of Whitstable is Madness frontman Suggs and Whyteleafe’s Daniel Bennett found himself one step beyond Whitstable’s backline, finishing a lovely team move in the 17th minute when he dinked the ball over the diving Whitstable goalkeeper Daniel Colmer and into the bottom right.

The only other real significant chance of the first half saw Whyteleafe’s Aaron Watson have a dig that was well saved wide by Daniel Colmer.

It only took Whitstable seven minutes of the second half to equalise when Harvey Smith came up with a finish into the bottom left corner to set up a house of fun for the remainder of the game.

Whyteleafe then had a big chance to re-take the lead when both Aaron Watson and then Ryan Gondoh were denied by good Daniel Colmer saves before both sides had efforts off target - Ronald Sithole for Whitstable and Daniel Bennett for Whyteleafe.

Whyteleafe could have won the game at the death - Rodney Eruotor curling an effort off the bar before having the rebound saved by the feet of Colmer and how Whyteleafe would rue that eventually

If truth be told Whitstable dominated the chances in extra time - Ronald Sithole and Harvey Smith denied with saves from Whyteleafe goalkeeper George Hill before Sithole somehow missed a chance by hitting the left post with the goal gaping.

Sithole however made amends. After he had an initial effort saved, he kept his composure before tucking a shot into the top right corner to kill the game like Peter Cushing as Dracula out for the count - a former resident of Whitstable.

So it was a case of “Wembley’s a Sithole - I want to go home” for Whitstable - and so they did - with the trophy and a million memories.

Parkwood Rangers Women 0 Tonbridge Angels Women 5

Match 101/24/2339 - Thursday, 8th May 2025 - SECWFL League Cup Final

Parkwood Rangers Women (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Women (2) 5 Churchill 33 Herbert-Smith 43 Driscoll 54 Cresswell 74 Cooper 81
Attendance: 200
Admission: £3
Mileage: 21/6,753

Tonbridge Angels Women retained their SECWFL League Cup crown with a comfortable 5-0 win over Parkwood Rangers and with it completing a Cup double to add to their runners-up position in the SECWFL Kent Premier Division.

Parkwood belied their league position at the foot of the table with a stubborn first half performance, albeit that the Angels still went into the break two goals to the good.

Angels’ Women’s manager Joe Rowe commented: “I enjoyed that one, the team played really well. We said at half-time we need to keep doing the simple things and opportunities will come, which they did with some great goals and we were good to watch. We’ve had a very good run, 13 or 14 unbeaten and we knew, given league position, that we were the favourites. Credit to Parkwood, they beat Maidstone and Sevenoaks en-route to the final, so we knew that we would have to be on our game.”

A pleasantly warm evening at The Gallagher saw a good turnout from both sets of supporters with the Angels’ barmy army providing the constant backdrop of noise.

The Angels began the game on the front foot, and in fairness, the passage of play didn’t change much throughout the 90 minutes of the game. After just three minutes, Tonbridge’s leading goalscorer, Grace Mayhead was sent clear but, in what became a recurring theme, Parkwood’s goalkeeper, Jemma Roodenburgh was quick off her line to smother her shot. The resultant corner saw Mollyanne Herbert-Smith head against the bar, and this was quickly followed by Herbert-Smith seeing her shot turned over by Roodenburgh.

The game settled into a pattern in which the Angels dominated but stubborn resistance from the Bexley-based side restricted the chances to a bare minimum with Roodenburgh saving well from Charlotte Cresswell on the half-hour.

The Angels goalkeeper, Lois Bartlett, had been largely untroubled before a corner saw a header from Corrie Goodhew clear the bar.

The Angels finally achieved the breakthrough on 33 minutes and, as much as it was well deserved, it came with a stroke of good fortune as Aimee Churchill’s free kick from 20 yards took a massive deflection to leave Roodenburgh stranded.

Two minutes before the break the lead was doubled when Churchill opened up a shooting opportunity for Hope Mumford that went through the goalkeeper’s hands and into the roof of the net.

Early second half saves from Roodenburgh to twice deny Herbert-Smith came prior to a 30 yard screamer into the top corner from Milly Driscoll that would be a contender for any goal of the season contest.

Parkwood continued to battle hard against a never-ending tide of Angels pressure and even survived a penalty miss on 74 minutes, before good work down the right by Holly Maclaurin allowed Cresswell to score from close range for the Angels’ fourth.

The game was wrapped up on 81 minutes when Amelia Cooper cut in from the left to bury her shot into the bottom corner.

Joe Rowe summed up the women’s season: “Our aim was, we have got promoted and we are not here just to turn up and be an extra team in that league. Our aim was top three and a cup final, so I’m really pleased with the runners-up spot and to win two cup finals.”

Staplehurst Monarchs U23 0 Whitstable Town U23 5

Match 100/24/2338 - Monday, 5th May 2025 - SCEFL Development East

Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 0
Whitstable Town U23 (1) 5
Headcount: 53
Admission: £2.50
Mileage: 1/6,732

Cuxton 91 2 Guru Nanak 1

Match 99/24/2337 - Saturday, 3rd May 2025 - Kent County Premier League

Cuxton 91 (0) 2 Lawson 82 Longman 90+5
Guru Nanak (0) 1 48'
Headcount: 60
Admission: £1 (Programme)
Mileage: 42/6,731
New ground: 390

Not quite ready for the season's end so an end of season dip into the Kent County League at a new ground, Cuxton 91.

This was to be Cuxton's last match at Bush Lane for at least the next two seasons as they decamp to Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium whilst facilities are upgraded.

The facilities, a social club aside, are sparse to be kind with a high grass bank offering a good vantage point for viewing.

The game was settled with a 97th minute winner for the hosts after Guru Nanak, of fantastic backdrop fame, had taken a lead around the hour mark.

Constant haranguing of the referee, no matter how bad he was, only left me to wonder why they bother.

Tonbridge Angels U18 0 Kingstonian U18 0

Match 98/24/2336 - Thursday, 1st May 2025 - Isthmian Youth League Champions of Champions Semi-Final

Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 0
Kingstonian U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels won 4-2 on penalties
Attendance: 100
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/6,689

Tonbridge Angels U18’s will feature in an Isthmian Youth League Champions of Champions Final for the first time in eight years following Thursday evening’s dramatic penalty shootout success against Kingstonian at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium.

After a tense 90 minutes, in which either side could lay claim to be deserving of the place in the final, which will be against Worthing at Uxbridge Football Club on Thursday, 8th May, kick-off 19:45, the Angels held their nerve in the spot kick lottery with leading goalscorer, Robert Penman sending the Kingstonian goalkeeper the wrong way to win the shootout 4-2.

It is five weeks since the Tonbridge lads have played a match, following their final two games of the season being postponed as Glebe curtailed their season, and at times that showed. Kingstonian came into the game with a record of only dropping four points in a 14 game season in the Central Division, and were the sharper of the two teams out of the blocks.

Whether by over-fussy refereeing, or by their own design, Tonbridge gave away far too many free kicks in their own half and with some wicked deliveries entering the box the Angels needed to be at their best to deny the visitors. But, come the half-time whistle, neither goalkeeper had been seriously tested.

The second period was played in a similar fashion, but with a couple of chances that could have won the game for either side. On 56 minutes, the fleet-footed Tolu Fabimafobee sprinted clear but was denied at the last by an equally pacy defender whose last gasp challenge was enough to deflect the ball for a corner.

The K’s fashioned two chances of their own with Josh Hanson saving well at his near post and when an attacker was sent clear, Hanson advanced quickly to save at his feet.

A collective holding of breath came late in the game was a visiting forward appeared to be brought down in the box but the referee decided it was simulation and the K’s player was shown a yellow card.

The penalty shootout began with Adam Larkin scoring the opening goal and when the K’s reply came back from the bar, the Angels were in front but the second spot kick was missed and Kingstonian were back level after an extraordinary incident in which Hanson saved but the ball squirmed away from him and, despite protestations, it was deemed the ball had crossed the line. Callum Fincham made it 2-1 before this was levelled. Ed Dyer put the Angels back in front and when Hanson saved, Penman was was offered, and took the opportunity to win the contest.

James Larkin said after the final whistle: "A fantastic evening, full credit to the boys who’s bravery, commitment and approach to the game was first class. And there’s not a group who deserve a final than this group! A fantastic team performance to be proud of."

Tonbridge Angels 1 Boreham Wood 3

Match 97/24/2335 - Saturday, 26th April 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wood 71
Boreham Wood (2) 3 Rush 28 Clayden 41 Ilesanmi 48
Attendance: 1,202
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,651

Sadly for our visitors, Boreham Wood, no helicopter commissioned by the National League, was needed to land in the centre circle, despite them easing to a comfortable win at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium. Their unlikely route to the title was denied by results elsewhere, and was effectively ended within the first 10 minutes of the game at Truro City. They will have to be content with a home game in the eliminators against Dorking Wanderers.

The Wood fans travelled in their numbers into Kent, one would guess more in hope than expectation, and their favourites put on a first half display of dominance that suggests they will go at least go into the play-offs with momentum.

Scott Wagstaff has faced a testing baptism to management, but one that he will be willing to commit to in a year’s time after a final season of his playing career. “It was a difficult situation we came into but it has given me the bug to eventually want this a little bit more. The experience has been brilliant and I thank Sophie and the board for giving me the opportunity to do that and we will see what the future holds.”

Boreham Wood were fast out of the traps and Matt Rowley was needed to deny Charlie O’Connell and Tom Whelan before they hit the front on 28 minutes when a driven shot from Abdul Abdulmelik was turned in at the far post by the predatory, ex-Angels loanee, Matt Rush.

Four minutes before the break Wood doubled their advantage when Charlie Clayden was sent clear with an exquisite through ball from Rush to slide the ball under the advancing Rowley.

Three minutes into the second half the game was put beyond doubt as a far post header from Rush came back off the woodwork for Femi Ilesanmi to turn in from close range.

The Angels mounted a spirited second half, following the goal, with Nazir Bakrin’s header going narrowly wide and the same player being thwarted by Nathan Ashmore before Liam Vincent’s cross into the box saw Wood turn and fire into the bottom corner.

Late efforts from substitutes Mackenzie Richardson and Jeremy Santos might have reduced the deficit further but it was not to be and the curtain was brought down on the season.

Scott added: “It has been difficult, we have been down to bare bones a lot of the time and I don’t want to use that as an excuse because the boys have been excellent for me, but you look at the squad and it is very thin, we’ve had injuries here and there. I didn’t want to play because I didn’t think that was fair on the boys to be on the pitch and not have someone looking on from the sidelines, so I took myself back from that. But the boys can be proud of what they have achieved.”

"I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to be awarded the Austin Verini and to have my name inscribed on the shield alongside many illustrious names is very humbling. Thank-you to the Sophie and her board, I cannot put into words, not good for a media person, just how much this means to me."

Maidstone United 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 96/24/2334 - Monday, 21st April 2025 - National League South

Maidstone United (1) 1 Shakpoke 24
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Sutcliffe 65
Attendance: 3,670
Admission: £13
Mileage: 20/6,613

Sometimes a point carries a lit bit more emotion than that of one won from a position of mid-table.

The Angels supporters, corralled into a corner of the Gallagher, had been truly magnificent in their support celebrated wildly at the final whistle having dented, if only for a couple of hours, Maidstone United’s play-off push.

Scott Wagstaff can rightly look back on his first experience as a manager in the A26 derby with a great deal of pride as the Angels recovered from a first half deficit to earn a richly deserved point with an Ethan Sutcliffe goal on 65 minutes.

Wagstaff commented in his post-match interview: “I am so proud of the boys, the reaction we got from Friday’s game, and to be honest, I think we could have won it. After the first 30 minutes when Maidstone were strong, we looked really strong, driving forward and it was 100% a penalty, I don’t care what anyone says, it was a penalty, if it was in the other box, they get a penalty.”

A threatening weather forecast that didn’t materialise left a lot of supporters with coats they didn’t need as the Gallagher basked in warm sunshine as Scott was able to recall Liam Vincent and Harry Ottaway for Bailey Akehurst and Brody Peart from the side that were beaten by Hornchurch on Good Friday.

Backed by all but the 320 Angels faithful in an attendance of 3,670, Maidstone made the early running and might, perhaps should have, gone in front on nine minutes when George Fowler steered a Ben Brookes corner wide of the post.

The early pressure finally told on 24 minutes when a long throw into the box was headed on by Temi Eweka. It looked a fairly easy take for Matt Rowley but a nudge, not deemed enough by referee Sandoe, allowed the ball to find its way to the far post from where Ruben Shakpoke was able to touch home.

On 27 minutes came the moment when the Angels thought the referee might point to the spot when Nazrin Bakrin was brought down but a foul was given right on the line of the 18 yard box.

As the clock ticked into seven minutes of added time, after the game had been brought to a halt early in the half for a medical emergency in the Genco End, Christie Ward’s driving run ended with a shot that drifted just wide of the right hand angle of the woodwork and, in the final act of the half, Harry Ottaway directed his header straight at Alexis Andre Jr.

The latter part of the first half had given the Angels confidence to take the game to their hosts in the early part of the second period with Sutcliffe seeing an effort blocked within four minutes of the restart and, on 54 minutes, his header only found the gloves of Andre Jr.

After surviving three successive corners, Tonbridge found a well-deserved equaliser on 65 minutes when a long throw from Vincent was superbly headed on by Ottaway to Sutcliffe at the far post to tuck home. Cue delirium in the `away end!

With so much riding on the result, it was only to be expected that the home side would throw everything, and the kitchen sink, at the Angels back line and, on 82 minutes hearts were in mouths as a Fowler header was sent wide and, two minutes later as Aaron Blair rounded Rowley, the net rippled, but thankfully it was the side netting.

Five nervous minutes of added time were endured before the celebrations could begin.

Waggy added: “Our fans were excellent, even when we were 1-0 down they were a lot noisier than the Maidstone fans, so that’s a credit to them. We appreciate that and it was our message at half-time, play for the fans, you can be heroes if you win this game, that’s in the history books. Hopefully we gave them something to be proud of today.”

Staplehurst Monarchs 2 Meridian VP 0

Match 95/24/2333 - Saturday, 19th April 2025 - SCEFL 1

Staplehurst Monarchs (2) 2 Graham 3 Wheeler 45+1
Meridian VP (0) 0
Attendance: 70
Admission: £5
Mileage: 1/6,593

Tonbridge Angels 0 Hornchurch 1

Match 94/24/2332 - Friday, 18th April 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Hornchurch (1) 1 McQueen 16
Attendance: 1,084
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,592

Hornchurch took the honours in this mid-table encounter and moved themselves into a top 10 position in National League South.

Good Friday and warm sunshine brought an attendance in excess of four figures and, following the difficult team selection of Tuesday evening, Scott Wagstaff was able to recall Jamie Fielding, Ronny Nelson, Taylor Maloney and Sean Shields and have a usable full bench.

After early half-chances fell the way of the hosts with Fielding heading over after two minutes and Shields seeing a shot blocked, Hornchurch took the lead on 16 minutes when a through ball from Charlie Pegrum saw Darren McQueen break clear, with vain appeals for offside, to round goalkeeper Matt Rowley before despatching his shot past a retreating defender.

The Angels response was limited to efforts from distance from Christie Ward, Jack Wood and Shields with a tight offside decision going against Wood as he found the net on 41 minutes that saw the Essex side reached the break with their lead intact.

Tonbridge dominated the second half, but the visitors continually found a last ditch challenge or good saves from Mason Terry, who denied Jack Wood on 53 minutes following a wicked deflection.

In turn, on 65 minutes, Pegrum brought a good save from Rowley and a stabbed shot from the resultant corner was cleared from the line by Ronny Nelson.

The introduction of Liam Vincent, Harry Ottaway and Mikey Berry injected new life into the home side with Shields seeing successive efforts deflected wide or saved by Terry. On the break, Hornchurch had chances through Makai Welch and Pegrum but, at the conclusion, it was the resilience of the Hornchurch defence that won the day.

Scott Wagstaff summed up, post-match: “It summed up our season. We’ve dominated the game in the first half, switched off for one moment and they score on the counter attack for which we knew they were dangerous. It was frustrating because we started the game really well, but gave ourselves a mountain to climb. But, the boys were excellent, the effort they put in, didn’t stop to the end. It summed up our season to a tee, we have just lacked that little something that has stopped us getting over the line and we can’t put all the pressure on the strikers, there has been a lot of chopping and changing which hasn’t helped.”

Hollands & Blair Women 2 Tonbridge Angels Women 4

Match 93/24/2331 - Thursday, 17th April 2025 - Kent FA Women's Plate Final

Hollands & Blair (2) 4 L. Farley 10 Milner 16
Tonbridge Angels (4) 4 Mayhead 8,25,45 Cresswell 39
Attendance: 582
Admission: £5
Mileage: 20/6,554

Tonbridge Angels Women won a thrilling Kent FA Women’s Plate Final at the Gallagher on Friday evening beating Hollands and Blair 4-2 with a hat-trick for Grace Mayhead and one for Charlotte Cresswell. All the goals came in a frantic first half in which the Angels fell behind at 2-1.

Both clubs were well supported in an attendance of 582 and it made for a great atmosphere as the supporters lapped up a first half of thrills, spills and plenty in between.

Blair, who top the division below the Angels but nervously wait while Park Regis complete their games, showed an intent from the opening whistle that they were not going to be overawed by the occasion and it took a few minutes before the Angels women settled into their game.

But, once they did, the chances arrived with Aimee Churchill forcing the Blair goalkeeper, Erin Farley, into a first save and, following a corner, the keeper was brought into action again with an effort from Hope Mumford.

After eight minutes, the Angels took a deserved lead when Mayhead was sent clear to finish clinically.

The Gillingham-based opposition were, however, not for rolling over and were on level terms within a couple of minutes. A corner was scrambled to safety leading to a further corner that was delivered to the far post where a header from Lauren Farley brought the score level.

Now, it was a case of the Angels needing to recover their composure, but after 16 minutes, they found themselves behind when a free kick from Sophie Milner sailed over the head of Ashleigh Rhodes.

After chances for Freya Jones, Churchill and Mayhead, Tonbridge got back on level terms after 25 minutes with a fine move that involved Megan Gill and Churchill that opened up the opportunity for Mayhead to score her second.

Confidence renewed, the Angels started to dominate the game, playing some attractive football in the process. In the space of a couple of minutes Mayhead saw a header come back from the crossbar and was denied by the feet of the advancing Erin Farley.

It seemed only a matter of time before the Angels hit the front and this came on 39 minutes when a deft flick on from Churchill gave Cresswell the chance which she took well.

Hollands and Blair showed good spirit and Rhodes was twice called into action before, on the stroke of the break, Churchill was once again the provider as Mayhead completed her hat-trick with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper.

Whatever was said in the dressing rooms during half-time brought a bit more organisation and structure from both sides as opposed to the frantic nature of the opening 45 minutes.

Tonbridge were largely controlling the game but should have been pegged back on 63 minutes when Farley was brought down for a penalty to which Rhodes was the equal with a good parrying save from Sophie Nicholls spot kick with the rebound sailing into the Maidstone sky.

The Angels had several chances in the remaining time to put the game comfortably beyond their opposition but a combination of near misses and good goalkeeping kept the scoreline at 4-2.

A delighted Joe Rowe said post-match: “It was a tough game, Hollands and Blair made it difficult for us, especially in the first 15-20 minutes. But when we found our feet and started to find our patterns we created a lot of chances and ultimately deserved to win the game.”

One trophy safely in the cabinet and on Thursday, 8th May, the women will return to the Gallagher, this time to defend their League Cup success of last season with this year’s opposition coming from Parkwood Rangers.

Weston=super-Mare A-A Tonbridge Angels

Match 92/24/2330 - Saturday, 12th April 2025 - National League South

Weston-super-Mare (0) A
Tonbridge Angels (1) A Maloney 44
Match abandoned after 82 minutes, medical emergency in crowd
Est. Attendance: 1,200
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 386/6,534

Tonbridge Angels' game at Weston-super-Mare was brought to an unfortunate early conclusion as a medical emergency in the crowd led to its abandonment on 82 minutes. Thankfully reports from Weston indicate that the woman concerned was conscious and responsive in A&E and, to her and her family, we send our best wishes.

Football, of course, is of secondary importance at such times, but to report the game it was frustrating, especially for Taylor Maloney, that his wonder strike only becomes a top contender for the goal that never was.

On a bright, warm Spring day in Somerset, Scott Wagstaff was able to recall Ethan Sutcliffe following his suspension and Jack Wood to the starting line-up with, initially, Liam Vincent and Brody Peart dropping to the bench. But following the warm-up, Vincent was unable to take his place and Alexander Dubov, the substitute goalkeeper, was added.

Over the course of the 82 minutes, Wagstaff’s side produced a spirited, dogged performance that restricted the play-off chasing hosts to just a couple of chances of note despite their dominance of possession.

Weston-super-Mare should have gone in front after nine minutes when Luke Coulson’s free kick gave James Dodd a clear header, but one that cleared the bar.

The Angels had a big shout for a penalty a couple of minutes later when Nazir Bakrin was brought down in the penalty area but these were waved away by the referee.

The first half wore on with the home side seeing much of the ball but without testing Matt Rowley a single time. A Bakrin header brought a comfortable save from Max Harris before, with a minute remaining in the half, Sutcliffe’s long throw into the box was cleared to the edge of the box from where Maloney produced a piledriver of a shot into the roof of the net to give the Angels a lead at the break.

The second half took the same shape as the opening 45 minutes with Weston pressing hard for a equaliser but Tonbridge repelling their efforts with relative comfort.

Rowley’s major contribution to the game came on the hour when a shot from outside of the area from Will Dawes was turned away for a corner from which Dawes sent a header goalwards but Rowley was equal to it, clawing it away to safety.

Harry Ottaway was introduced on 61 minutes and immediately the Angels had more of a focal point up front which led to a shooting opportunity for Sean Shields that was just over.

A tackle from Maloney brought an unseemly fracas on the near touchline, but as that was being sorted out it became apparent that there was a more serious concern behind the dug outs on the other side with the medical teams from both clubs hurrying to attend.

The delay was to last around 20 minutes before the game was officially abandoned whilst an ambulance was awaited.

Weston-super-Mare Football Club later made this statement: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who responded so swiftly and professionally – including both clubs’ medical teams, our security personnel, club staff, supporters, and the ambulance service.”

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday 2 Walnut Wanderers 2

Match 91/24/2329 - Friday, 11th April 2025 - President's Group B Cup Final

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday (1) 2 Wright 16, Rosetti 60
Walnut Wanderers (0) 2 Constable 62,89
Walnut Wanderers won 9-8 on penalties
Est. Attendance: 400
Admission: £5
Mileage: 20/6,148

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday 1 Sands United 0

Match 90/24/2328 - Sunday, 6th April 2025 - Invitational Cup SF

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday (0) 1 Rosetti 16
Sands United (0) 0
Attendance: 960
Admission: Free
Mileage: 1/6,128

Tonbridge Angels 1 Farnborough 4

Match 89/24/2327 - Saturday, 5th April 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Ottaway 78
Farnborough (2) 4 Holmes 12 Haigh 22 Robinson 59 Stuttle 71
Attendance: 960
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/6,127

Scott Wagstaff suffered “a baptism of fire” as caretaker-manager of Tonbridge Angels as visitors Farnborough recorded a comfortable win.

“It was a tough one today, but I still enjoyed it and I will learn from it. Performance wise, when one of your mates comes in, it goes one of two ways and it went the other way today. It was a baptism of fire, so I’m really relishing the rest of these four games and hopefully we can put on a better performance next week at Weston,” said Scott in his post-match interview.

Warm, spring sunshine greeted Waggy’s first team selection that brought just the one change from last Saturday’s defeat at Salisbury with Bailey Akehurst coming in for Nazir Bakrin, who dropped to the bench.

Farnborough took control of the game after opening the scoring on 12 minutes when a right-sided corner from Alfie Tuck was deftly steered into the bottom corner from the head of Ricky Holmes.

The Hampshire side doubled their advantage on 22 minutes when Joe Haigh finished well after a break down the left from Reggie Young who had been sent clear with an exquisite pass inside of the defender by Holmes. In between the first and second goals, on 19 minutes, Haig had seen his penalty effort, awarded after a foul on the edge of the box by Mikey Berry, saved by Matt Rowley in the Angels’ goal.

After dominating the first half, Farnborough were offered a second chance from the penalty spot after 52 minutes after Jonny Stuttle was adjudged to have been brought down by Jamie Fielding. But, once again, Rowley was equal to the taker, this time Stuttle, saving brilliantly, low to his left.

Taylor Maloney brought a comfortable save out of goalkeeper Jack Turner and Sean Shields fired wide before the game was effectively put out of reach of the home side after 59 minutes when Ollie Robinson was unmarked after a free kick from Haigh was moved on by Holmes to add a third goal.

A fourth came on 71 minutes when Stuttle was sent clear by Jack Bateson to finish past the advancing Rowley.

Tonbridge produced a spirited end to the game that eventually brought a consolation goal from Harry Ottaway who hooked the ball home after a pass from Sean Shields.

Scott concluded: “After the game there is a lot of emotion, I feel I know how the gaffer felt after games, but I don’t want the boys to let these three weeks pass us by. I want us to enjoy these three weeks and the only way we are going to enjoy it is by winning games, so I’m getting back to the drawing board to figure out the best way to beat Weston next week. To the fans, stick with us, I know we didn’t give you much to cheer about today, but I promise you, we will give you absolutely everything in these last four games. We will make sure everyone out there is playing for the club, for the shirt, until the end of the season, I promise you that.”

Gillingham 1 Colchester United 1

Match 88/24/2326 - Tuesday, 1st April 2025 - League 2

Gillingham (0) 1 Clark (pen) 77
Colchester United (1) 1 Payne 20
Attendance: 5,924
Admission: £20
Mileage: 38/6,089

Match Report

Tonbridge Angels Academy 6 Worthing Academy 1

Match 87/24/2326 - Wednesday, 26th March 2025 - National League U19 Alliance

Tonbridge Angels Academy (2) 6
Worthing Academy (0) 1
Attendance: 15
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/6,051

Maidstone United U18 3 Welling United U18

Match 86/24/2325 - Tuesday, 25th March 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Maidstone United U18 (2) 3
Welling United U18 (0) 1 Craggs
Attendance: 54
Admission: £3
Mileage: 20/6,013

In years to come, I might wonder why I attended an Under-18's game at fierce rivals Maidstone United and even wanted them to win! So the explanation is that coming into this game, if Welling United won all of their remaining games they would be crowned the Isthmian Youth League East champions. One slip up and the door would be open for our, as in Tonbridge Angels, Under-18's to win their first title since 2017. Two excellent first half goals and a robust second half defensive performance gave the home side the points, which incidentally, keeps their own hopes of the title alive. It was a strange experience, celebrating in a reasonably restrained manner, Maidstone's goals. Thanks Maidstone, but I don't want to do it again!

Tonbridge Angels 2 Chelmsford City 1

Match 85/24/2324 - Saturday, 22nd March 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Shields 11 Maloney 76
Chelmsford City (1) 1 Valentine 16
Attendance: 1,028
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,993

Tonbridge Angels gained maximum points from this mid-table encounter with a second half goal from Taylor Maloney to further their chances of a top half finish to the season.

Warm, spring sunshine attracted an attendance of 1,028 on Non League Day that saw Jay Saunders introduce new signing Luke Cook for the injured Gianluca Botti with Nazir Bakrin and Sean Shields coming in for the suspended Ethan Sutcliffe and Mo Dabre. Harry Ottaway and Mikey Berry returned to the bench after injury.

For, what might have been considered an end of season affair, a competitive, entertaining game ensued that produced chances from the outset with the visiting goalkeeper, Ted Collins, acrobatically turning over a close range header from Ronny Nelson in the fourth minute.

The home side made much of the early running and deservedly went ahead on 11 minutes when Brody Peart set up Sean Shields to bury his shot into the bottom corner.

The lead was only to last five minutes with Chelmsford’s livewire Nico Valentine capitalising on a defensive error to equalise with a good finish.

Buoyed by their equaliser, the visitors ended the half on the front foot with the Angels goalkeeper, Matt Rowley saving from Saleem Akanbi and Ryan Blackman.

The second half saw Tonbridge regain the momentum and might have regained their lead just past the hour when a well worked move between Cook and Jamie Fielding set up a close range header from Ottaway that was brilliantly denied by Collins.

Shields hit the bar on 73 minutes with Nelson having his shot on the rebound blocked following a scramble in the Chelmsford six yard box before the Angels scored what was ultimately to be the winner through Maloney who drove home a rebound off the chest of Collins following a fierce shot from Berry.

Chelmsford attempted to retrieve a point from the game with a big chance at the death but Taylor Legg’s header cleared the bar.

Jay Saunders said after the game: “It was a very open game, we started excellently and for the first 15 minutes we were brilliant, causing them a lot of problems but not taking our chances and then they change shape and it was disappointing to concede from what was their first attack. Overall, it was two teams that were going for it, we looked a bit fatigued from Tuesday night, but I’m pleased with the win and cannot fault the boys for their efforts.”

Ebbsfleet United 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 84/24/2323 - Tuesday, 18th March 2025 - Kent Senior Cup SF

Ebbsfleet United (0) 1 Anthony 90+2
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 505
Admission: £5
Mileage: 54/5,955

It was a cruel exit for the Angels from the Kent Senior Cup as Ebbsfleet United scored a wonder goal in the 90th minute after the visitors had dominated proceedings for much of the game.

With the lottery of penalties imminent, Elijah Anthony collected a clearance and from 25 yards found the top corner with a superb effort to see the National League side into the final where they will meet Welling United.

Replying to Matt Davison’s assertion after the match that we deserved more, Jay Saunders said: “I think so. I was really pleased with the performance and the reaction from Saturday. I’ve said to the boys, we have been the nearly men this season when it comes to the league and in games with the chances we had tonight, we nearly took them and, unfortunately, it’s taken a hell of a strike to beat us when it looked like it would go to penalties.”

On another chilly evening of this seemingly endless winter, Jay was deprived of the services of Sean Shields through injury. Bailey Akehurst and Mikey Berry were cup-tied which brought Mo Dabre, Brody Peart and Taylor Maloney into the starting line-up from Saturday’s defeat at Bath City.

Backed by a noisy contingent that made up over a third of the attendance, Tonbridge started on the front foot and never relinquished that control until the final 10 minutes or so when the home side’s strength from the bench made an impact.

An chance fell to Peart within the first couple of minutes but his shot was directed at the Ebbsfleet goalkeeper, Felix Goddard, who was further tested on six minutes with an effort from Gianluca Botti.

A Dominic Poleon effort that cleared the bar by some distance was the only interruption in the Angels momentum who saw further chances for Dabre and Jack Wood go wide.

The best chance of the half came on 39 minutes when a right sided corner found the head of Botti, but from close range he could only steer his header narrowly wide of the post.

In the final act of the half, Botti was denied again this time by the feet of the advancing Goddard.

Dabre, feeling the recurrence of his hamstring injury, was substituted at the break by Nazrin Bakrin but the direction of play was unaltered with the Angels pressing forward for the most part.

Peart put an effort wide on 54 minutes followed by a golden chance on 64 minutes when a slightly heavy pass from Botti found Maloney stretching in front of goal to steer his opportunity wide.

As the home side brought National League regulars from the bench, the pressure on the Angels defence began to intensify but was being comfortably dealt with.

On 76 minutes, Academy player Kimsley Gatakata replaced Botti, who limped away from the action, and immediately had an opportunity in front of goal but, under pressure from a giant defender, he couldn’t get the necessary purchase on his shot and it was saved by Goddard.

Such is the nature of penalties, we will never know the outcome, but this was rendered unnecessary as the clock ticked past the ninety with the outrageous strike from Anthony that gave Matt Rowley no chance.

Jay concluded: “I’m disappointed for everyone associated with the club, it would have been a good final, we took it as seriously as we could, went as strong as we could and gave a really good account of ourselves and I don’t think we deserved to lose it over the 90 minutes.”

Tunbridge Wells 0 Hollands & Blair 3

Match 83/24/2322 - Saturday, 15th March 2025 - SCEFL Premier

Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Hollands & Blair (1) 2 Brooker 31 Walmsley 45+5 Draycott 66
Attendance: 221
Admission: £6
Mileage: 38/5,901

Staplehurst Monarchs 1 Welling Town 2

Match 82/24/2321 - Wednesday, 12th March 2025 - SCEFL 1

Staplehurst Monarchs (1) 1 Headley 45+3
Welling Town (1) 2 Nolan-Samuels 9 Huckle 55
Attendance: 50
Admission: £5
Mileage: 1/5,863

Chesham United 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 81/24/2320 - Tuesday, 11th March 2025 - National League South

Chesham United (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Botti 68
Attendance:
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 184/5,862
New Ground: 389

Business as usual was the message from chair, Sophie Purves, echoed by Jay Saunders and delivered by his squad who put in a solid performance at Chesham United.

One might say it wasn’t quite business as usual as wins on the road this season have been hard come by, but this fourth win propelled the Angels back into the top half of the table as the Angels seek a good end to the season to send Jay on to pastures new with a sense of satisfaction of a job well done.

It was a cold evening for Tonbridge Angels’ first-ever visit to The Meadow and the manager made four changes from the starting XI that had performed admirably but without reward against Torquay United. Into the line-up came Bailey Akehurst, Mo Dabre, Nazir Bakrin and Brody Peart for Taylor Maloney, Gianluca Botti, Jack Wood, who took places on the bench, and Mikey Berry, who was unavailable following his injury on Saturday.

Ultimately, it has to be admitted that this was not a classic and, at times, had a real end-of-season feel to it as a difficult pitch never lent itself to football of any great quality. But the Angels were gritty and determined when they needed to be in defence and found the one bit of quality that was needed to win the game when Botti converted from close range on 68 minutes.

Jay said in this post-match interview: “This is a difficult place to come on a Tuesday night after Saturday’s efforts. The pitch was very difficult which meant we set up very different and had a different game plan to Torquay and had to play a different way but the boys carried it out excellently and I thought there were some excellent displays and I’m really pleased we have got the win.”

Both sides were looking to put a three game run without a win behind them, so an early goal would give confidence to whoever might have scored it, and that could well have been the home side as Matt Rowley was forced to make a brilliant save after less than two minutes after a shot came in from close range following a corner.

The game then got bogged down in the middle of the park with neither side particularly taking control. Bailey Akehurst fired in a shot that cleared the bar and Rowley was pressed into action again saving from Samson Esan.

The big chance of the half fell to the home side in the last couple of minutes with Nathan Minhas blazing over when well placed.

Tonbridge took the on 68 minutes when a free kick sent to the far post by Sean Shields was headed back across goal by Jamie Fielding, a defender got his feet in a tangle in attempting to clear and, as the ball ran loose, Botti, on as a substitute for Peart, was on hand to tuck home from around six yards.

Despite there being 20 minutes plus to play out, the Angels did this with relative ease, the only scare being a header deep into added time from goalkeeper Ben Goode, who had ventured forward for a corner.

Dabre was sprinting clear in the last seconds only to pull up with what initially looked like a recurrence of his hamstring injury but rather was said to be only cramp.

Jay added: “The boys, overall, deserved it. We worked really hard, it was not the prettiest of games to watch but we knew we had to play the conditions and play percentages and for large parts of the game we did that very well. We’ve been up and around the top 10 all season and I don’t want us to see us fall away because the boys deserve more, as do the supporters.”

Tonbridge Angels 0 Torquay United 1

Match 80/24/2319 - Saturday, 8th March 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Torquay United (1) 1 Young 38
Attendance: 1,304
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,678

Torquay United returned to Devon with three precious points in their quest for promotion, courtesy of a 35th minute winner from Jordan Young in a game in which the hosts could justifiably make a case of being deserving of a point.

Jay Saunders was rightly proud of his side’s performance: “I feel a little bit hard done by, I thought we deserved something out of the game. I’m quite proud of the boys, against a full-time outfit, one of the favourites, we’ve put on a good performance. We’ve had a go to the end, but unfortunately, come up a little bit short in the quality area, the key moments that are the difference between winning or drawing games. But, all in all, we caused them problems, we created chances but lacked that quality to take them.”

Tonbridge Angels matched their visitors in almost every department in the game but lacked the clinical finish that Young executed for the game’s only goal. After winning possession on the left touchline, Torquay broke forward rapidly which culminated with a shot from Matt Jay that struck a post with the rebound falling to Young who cleanly struck home his opportunity.

The Angels had created two earlier chances when the ball was hacked to safety after four minutes after it bounced loose in the penalty area following a corner and on 16 minutes when Jack Wood was sent clear he saw his lob over goalkeeper, James Hamon, drifting agonisingly wide.

A sickening clash of heads saw Tonbridge’s 18 year-old Mikey Berry knocked unconscious and he was helped from the field in a groggy state of health `after an extended time of treatment.

Jamie Fielding kept the Gulls advantage at a single goal before the break with a last gasp challenge to deny Offrande Zanzala after he had rounded Matt Rowley.

The second half saw the Angels exert considerable pressure on Torquay but the resolute defending of the visitors limited the chances. Sean Shields struck the outside of a post early in the half and when Shields went clear on 79 minutes, Hamon was quickly off his line to smother and, following, Mo Dabre was felled as the ball ran loose but the referee waved away penalty claims.

In a frantic period of added time, substitute Brody Peart brought a near post save from Hamon and Jay Saunders was shown a red card as time ebbed away whilst the Torquay goalkeeper was sat on the ground receiving treatment. Hamon preserved the points for Torquay with a good save to deny Ronny Nelson’s header as the clock ticked into its third minute of added time.

Jay added: “Credit to the boys, it’s just disappointing that we couldn’t get anything out of the game which for large parts we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Chatham Town U18 1

Match 79/24/2318 - Monday, 3rd March 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 3 Penman 15 Fabimafobee 42 Fincham 85
Chatham Town U18 (1) 1 Chime 8
Attendance: 35
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,640

It’s a well used cliche, but as the title race in the Isthmian Youth East Division moves into its final three games, Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s manager said after his side’s 3-1 win over Chatham Town: “We have to take each game as it comes, ultimately it seems likely that we will need to win all three of our remaining games and hope that Welling slip up somewhere.”

On paper, Welling United’s run-in looks a little tougher than the Angels, who also hold a significant advantage in terms of goal difference and many eyes will be focusing on Wednesday evening’s match between Sutton Common Rovers (not out of the race) and Welling at Whyteleafe.

On Monday evening, the Angels recovered from going a goal behind on eight minutes to lead 2-1 at the break before adding a third goal with five minutes remaining. Dom Welsh said of the game: “We were not at our best but we had our good moments. It got a bit tense, but we defended really well and, bar the goal, they didn’t really have a shot of note at goal.”

Chatham’s opener came when a through ball to Fallon Chime saw the Angels defence looking for an offside decision that never came and allowing the forward to clinically finish.

Tonbridge’s response was good and they were quickly back on level terms when good work down the right from River Ballach saw his cross deftly turned in at the near post by Robert Penman, whose goal was his 20th of the season.

Tonbridge now had the momentum and with Tolu Fabimafobee coming to the fore, the Chats were under a good deal of pressure with the winger twice testing the goalkeeper.

Chatham were never out of the game though, forcing successive corners and, from one a header from Clarence Tambe was narrowly wide.

But the Angels took a lead into the break when they scored on 42 minutes after the goalkeeper had made successive saves from Noah Millis, the follow-up from Ishe Hunidzarira, before the ball broke for Fabimafobee to bury into the corner.

Whilst the Angels dominated the second half with a shot from Callum Fincham that was deflected wide on 64 minutes and a goal disallowed on 79 minutes, there was a huge sigh of relief when a header from Chatham Colin Igboma cleared the bar.

The game was finally made safe with five minutes remaining when the ever-dangerous Fabimafobee set up Fincham to finish well from the left side of the box.

Dom Welsh added: “We can only do what is in our own hands, but if Welling go on and win every one of their last seven games you have to congratulate them and say they have deserved it.”

Hemel Hempstead Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 78/24/2317 - Saturday, 1st March 2025 - National League South

Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 2 Tomkins 69 Matthews-Lewis 78
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance:
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 180/5,602

No visit to Hemel Hempstead comes easy to Tonbridge Angels or their supporters. Our history with the Hertfordshire club doesn’t date back into the mists of time, but each visit has inevitably come with its own set of problems on and off the pitch.

Such as it was for the Angels’ supporters who, for the second week in a row, found Junction 27 of the M25 their stopping point, leaving them with a tiresome diversion through endless congested roundabouts whilst stressfully watching the sands of time to the scheduled kick-off drift away.

The game itself was a dull, lifeless affair, with two second half goals giving the hosts a deserved win.

Someone on high then decided that not enough pain had been inflicted on the Angels’ band of brothers and sisters, and having checked phones to make sure that the road home was clear, the QE2 bridge became closed, necessitating another extended journey back.

Those chasing the clock were given the lifeline of a delayed kick-off of 15 minutes and had the relative good news on arrival of an unchanged team from Tuesday’s win against Welling United, with Mo Dabre and Ryan Hanson returning to a full complement of senior players on the bench.

The first day of spring had brought some bright sunshine and a bit of warmth as the game finally got underway at 3.20pm with, hopefully, the last of the visiting supporters in place.

It seems odd to say on the opening day of March but the game took on an end of season feel from the outset, being scrappy and bereft of goalmouth action.

It was fully 37 minutes before either goalkeeper was particularly asked to do anything with Matt Rowley comfortably saving from Brandon Barzey and four minutes before the break Ethan Sutcliffe broke into the box from the right to pull a ball back from the byline that Hemel’s goalkeeper, Brad House, palmed away to safety.

If anything, Tonbridge had enjoyed, if that’s the right word, the better of the possession in a poor first half.

The second period saw a clever variation from a throw-in that saw an effort from Jack Wood that cleared the bar but the game quickly reverted back to the first half state of stalemate.

That was broken on 69 minutes when this scrappy game got its reward of a scrappy goal from the hosts, who had dominated the half. A long throw into the box produced a scramble with the ball eventually falling at the feet of Ben Tomkins who stabbed it home from close range.

Hemel immediately had a good chance to double their advantage when George Williams sent Oliver Lynch clear to shoot wide but, in the 78th minute, the ball was fed to substitute Millar Matthews-Lewis who lobbed the ball into the far corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

A couple of late half chances might have given the Angels a consolation but it was not to be as a disconsolate set of supporters began their trudge home.

Jay Saunders, interviewed after the game, commented: “It was a nothing game in regards to quality. I don’t think there was a lot in it, neither goalkeeper has had a lot of saves to make and it looked like an end of season game for the large part, but to be fair to them, they have had two opportunities and taken them. In hindsight, some of them looked a bit leggy and off it and if I could go back and change that, I definitely would, so I take that on the chin and take part of the blame for that. But there was not enough desire, second half, to go out and get a win.”