Match 27/25/2370 - Tuesday, 30th September 2025 - FA Cup 3QR Replay
Tonbridge Angels (4) 5 Tumkaya 11 (o.g.) Higgs 25 Simon 31,45+3 (pen) Peart 51
Cray Valley PM (0) 0
Attendance: 572
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/1,941
Tonbridge Angels cruised into the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, where they will meet Chatham Town, after an emphatic replay win over Cray Valley Paper Mills.
From the moment that Ali Tumkaya turned Brody Peart’s cross into his own net after 11 minutes, the Angels were in cruise control and added three more goals in a clinical first half performance.
Alan Dunne, in the Longmead dug-out for the first time, made three changes from Saturday’s goalless encounter at the Artic Stadium with Matty Warren, Marcus Sablier and Bunmi Babajide coming into the starting XI for Scott Wagstaff, Bobby Unwin and Brody Peart, who took places on the bench.
Dunney was forced into a reshuffle after just six minutes when Arthur Penney sustained a shoulder injury following a Cray Valley corner, Peart taking his place.
In his post-match interview, Alan reflected: “I’m really pleased and thought we were excellent, good for it in all departments. We shifted the ball and looked dangerous on the counter. I wanted us to go out there and be expansive, we tweaked the shape to be a bit more aggressive and I felt that worked for us. Losing Arthur early on might have disrupted our momentum but we reacted brilliantly. I’m pleased with the clean sheet and the application of the boys.”
Peart was quickly into the action, picking up a yellow card, before his cross led to the opening goal.
After 25 minutes the Angels doubled their advantage when a right sided corner was only cleared to the edge of the box from where Jordan Higgs drove in a shot, that took a hefty deflection to wrong-foot the Cray goalkeeper, Shaun Rowley-Peart.
The game was effectively over as a contest just past the half-hour as Eddie Simon was on hand to side-foot home from close range after Sablier’s left wing cross had eluded Kurtis Cumberbatch.
The Angels were rampant with further chances for Peart and Bailey Akehurst before a Simon penalty set the seal on a first half of total dominance. A great interchange of passes between Sablier and Babajide saw the latter surge into the box before being unceremoniously blocked by ex-Angel Crossley Lema to offer referee Daniel Baines the opportunity to point to the spot.
The second half was only 10 minutes old when a quickly taken free from Higgs sent Peart away down the right, and after cutting in, his goal bound shot took a deflection to nestle into the corner, adding Tonbridge’s fifth goal.
Game safe, progress in the FA Cup made, Dunney rattled the changes giving minutes to Ben Mundele, Wagstaff, Brandon Pierrick and Martell Taylor-Crossdale at various times through the half.
Jacob Adams made his only real save of the match on the hour, with a low stop from Marcel Barrington and when Lema steered a header wide a minute later it rather summed up the evening for Steve McKimm’s lads.
Du
nney was full of praise for the support of his team: “The atmosphere was electric and even after when the boys were in front of them, with the beating of drum, it does help the lads, it creates energy, it was a really good night for the club.”
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Monday, 29 September 2025
Cray Valley PM 0 Tonbridge Angels 0
Match 26/25/2369 - Saturday, 27th September 2025 - FA Cup 3QR
Cray Valley PM (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 470
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 90/1,903
Tonbridge Angels and Cray Valley PM will have to do it all again on Tuesday evening at the Yeomans Community Stadium as a dour FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie ended goalless.
Alan Dunne’s first game in charge of the Angels brought defensive stability but a lack of a cutting edge in the final third from both sides also brought a comfortable afternoon for the goalkeepers.
The FA Cup, Dunne’s first game, an intriguing first meeting with ex-Angels manager Steve McKimm and the fairly close proximity of the visit brought a large following of Angels supporters to the Artic Stadium, where they probably made up in excess of half of the attendance.
A minute’s silence was respected before the game for the Chichester City player, Billy Vigar, who tragically died this week.
Alan’s first starting XI saw new loan signing Sam German introduced into the back three with Bailey Akehurst and Scott Wagstaff, returning from suspension, for Ben Mundele and Marcus Sablier who dropped to the bench with Alfie Allen injured.
Tonbridge kicked down the pronounced slope in the first half and brought the first save of the half from Shaun Peart-Rowley after nine minutes when Bobby Unwin’s shot was saved, low to his left.
Cray Valley responded with an effort from their captain Barney Williams that, at first, seemed to be sailing high over the bar, but dipped alarmingly.
Chances were very much at a premium, and the best opportunity of the first half, perhaps the best chance of the game, came on 21 minutes when a low cross from the left from Kenny Aileru found its way to the far post where ex-Angel Ibby Akanbi slid in, but his touch only turned the ball wide of the post.
In terms of possession, the Angels dominated but this failed to produce much in the way of goalmouth action with shots from Unwin and Jordan Higgs clearing the bar.
If anything, going up the slope in the second period seemed to suit the visitors better with Brody Peart asking a decent save of the goalkeeper and Unwin pulling a shot wide in the opening 10 minutes.
But the game returned to its dogged battle as Alan Dunne rang the changes in an effort to find the spark that would find the single goal, that it appeared would decide the game. Matty Warren and Brandon Pierrick were introduced for Wagstaff and Unwin just past the hour, Bumni Babajide replacing Eddie Simon on 71 minutes and Sablier on for Bradley Williams.
Pierrick tested Peart-Rowley with six minutes remaining and when Higgs’ free kick sailed over the stand, it rather summed up the afternoon’s attacking output from both sides.
Alan Dunne was, nevertheless pleased with his team’s efforts given the nature of the build-up: “They worked tirelessly right to the end. It has been a difficult week, coming in on Monday with only two sessions in which to work on a change of shape, but after the first 15 minutes in which we adapted, there was only one team in it. These games are never easy, cup football is different with a one-off game. We are disappointed not to win, but the replay for us is important.”
Cray Valley PM (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 470
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 90/1,903
Tonbridge Angels and Cray Valley PM will have to do it all again on Tuesday evening at the Yeomans Community Stadium as a dour FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie ended goalless.
Alan Dunne’s first game in charge of the Angels brought defensive stability but a lack of a cutting edge in the final third from both sides also brought a comfortable afternoon for the goalkeepers.
The FA Cup, Dunne’s first game, an intriguing first meeting with ex-Angels manager Steve McKimm and the fairly close proximity of the visit brought a large following of Angels supporters to the Artic Stadium, where they probably made up in excess of half of the attendance.
A minute’s silence was respected before the game for the Chichester City player, Billy Vigar, who tragically died this week.
Alan’s first starting XI saw new loan signing Sam German introduced into the back three with Bailey Akehurst and Scott Wagstaff, returning from suspension, for Ben Mundele and Marcus Sablier who dropped to the bench with Alfie Allen injured.
Tonbridge kicked down the pronounced slope in the first half and brought the first save of the half from Shaun Peart-Rowley after nine minutes when Bobby Unwin’s shot was saved, low to his left.
Cray Valley responded with an effort from their captain Barney Williams that, at first, seemed to be sailing high over the bar, but dipped alarmingly.
Chances were very much at a premium, and the best opportunity of the first half, perhaps the best chance of the game, came on 21 minutes when a low cross from the left from Kenny Aileru found its way to the far post where ex-Angel Ibby Akanbi slid in, but his touch only turned the ball wide of the post.
In terms of possession, the Angels dominated but this failed to produce much in the way of goalmouth action with shots from Unwin and Jordan Higgs clearing the bar.
If anything, going up the slope in the second period seemed to suit the visitors better with Brody Peart asking a decent save of the goalkeeper and Unwin pulling a shot wide in the opening 10 minutes.
But the game returned to its dogged battle as Alan Dunne rang the changes in an effort to find the spark that would find the single goal, that it appeared would decide the game. Matty Warren and Brandon Pierrick were introduced for Wagstaff and Unwin just past the hour, Bumni Babajide replacing Eddie Simon on 71 minutes and Sablier on for Bradley Williams.
Pierrick tested Peart-Rowley with six minutes remaining and when Higgs’ free kick sailed over the stand, it rather summed up the afternoon’s attacking output from both sides.
Alan Dunne was, nevertheless pleased with his team’s efforts given the nature of the build-up: “They worked tirelessly right to the end. It has been a difficult week, coming in on Monday with only two sessions in which to work on a change of shape, but after the first 15 minutes in which we adapted, there was only one team in it. These games are never easy, cup football is different with a one-off game. We are disappointed not to win, but the replay for us is important.”
Sunday, 21 September 2025
Worthing 0 Tonbridge Angels 1
Match 25/25/2368 - Saturday, 20th September 2025 - National League South
Worthing (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Unwin 11
Attendance: 1,661
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 126/1,813
A disciplined and spirited performance from Tonbridge Angels brought their first-ever win at Worthing, who dominated possession in the second period, but a resilient defensive display limited the hosts to just a couple of good opportunities to which Jacob Adams was their equal.
A naturally delighted Craig Nelson commented in his post-match interview: “We always knew it was going to be really difficult to come here and get anything. They are a good side and they displayed that in the second half. The boys did really well and we are over the moon to get three points here.”
It was a game of two halves for the weather as well as a muggy first half turned into a brisk wind and driving rain midway through the second period.
Craig Nelson made one change from the starting XI that progressed in the FA Cup on Tuesday with Eddie Simon returning for Brandon Pierrick, who dropped to the bench.
Tonbridge were well worth their lead at the break, earned with an 11th minute goal from Bobby Unwin, who found the bottom corner after being set up by Marcus Sablier.
It took the home side 36 minutes to register a shot on goal, Teddy Jenks bringing a comfortable save from Adams and 43 minutes to force a corner, such was the discipline of the Angels defence.
After nine minutes a poor clearance from the Worthing goalkeeper, Seb Stacey gave Simon an unguarded goal to shoot at from 25 yards but the ball drifted wide before Unwin gave the Angels the lead which they thoroughly deserved.
Just past the half-hour, Simon was left head in hands as he saw his goal bound shot take a deflection and agonisingly dribble past the post.
The second half saw the home side camped in the Angels’ half for long periods with early chances for Odei Martin Sorondo and a Joel Colbran effort, brilliantly turned over by Adams, as the Angels were being put under sustained pressure.
As the half wore on, and the Rebels began to desperately throw bodies forward, the Angels spurned several breakaway chances to give themselves breathing space.
Worthing’s captain Joe Cook saw a shot go over the bar following a scramble in front of goal and when Harry Ransom spooned another chance over the bar it was the Angels who were seeing out the game on the front foot, as Martell Taylor-Crossdale was sent clear only to shoot straight at Stacey.
Into six minutes of added time, the Angels showed great game management, shepherding the ball into the non-dangerous areas of the pitch, as the clock ticked down to its conclusion and a memorable afternoon at Woodside Road, for once, for all the right reasons.
Worthing (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Unwin 11
Attendance: 1,661
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 126/1,813
A disciplined and spirited performance from Tonbridge Angels brought their first-ever win at Worthing, who dominated possession in the second period, but a resilient defensive display limited the hosts to just a couple of good opportunities to which Jacob Adams was their equal.
A naturally delighted Craig Nelson commented in his post-match interview: “We always knew it was going to be really difficult to come here and get anything. They are a good side and they displayed that in the second half. The boys did really well and we are over the moon to get three points here.”
It was a game of two halves for the weather as well as a muggy first half turned into a brisk wind and driving rain midway through the second period.
Craig Nelson made one change from the starting XI that progressed in the FA Cup on Tuesday with Eddie Simon returning for Brandon Pierrick, who dropped to the bench.
Tonbridge were well worth their lead at the break, earned with an 11th minute goal from Bobby Unwin, who found the bottom corner after being set up by Marcus Sablier.
It took the home side 36 minutes to register a shot on goal, Teddy Jenks bringing a comfortable save from Adams and 43 minutes to force a corner, such was the discipline of the Angels defence.
After nine minutes a poor clearance from the Worthing goalkeeper, Seb Stacey gave Simon an unguarded goal to shoot at from 25 yards but the ball drifted wide before Unwin gave the Angels the lead which they thoroughly deserved.
Just past the half-hour, Simon was left head in hands as he saw his goal bound shot take a deflection and agonisingly dribble past the post.
The second half saw the home side camped in the Angels’ half for long periods with early chances for Odei Martin Sorondo and a Joel Colbran effort, brilliantly turned over by Adams, as the Angels were being put under sustained pressure.
As the half wore on, and the Rebels began to desperately throw bodies forward, the Angels spurned several breakaway chances to give themselves breathing space.
Worthing’s captain Joe Cook saw a shot go over the bar following a scramble in front of goal and when Harry Ransom spooned another chance over the bar it was the Angels who were seeing out the game on the front foot, as Martell Taylor-Crossdale was sent clear only to shoot straight at Stacey.
Into six minutes of added time, the Angels showed great game management, shepherding the ball into the non-dangerous areas of the pitch, as the clock ticked down to its conclusion and a memorable afternoon at Woodside Road, for once, for all the right reasons.
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Tonbridge Angels 6 Steyning Town Community 1
Match 24/25/2367 - Tuesday, 16th September 2025 - FA Cup 2QR Replay
Tonbridge Angels (3) 6
Steyning Town Community (0) 1
Attendance: 413
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/1,683
After the nervy finish in west Sussex on Saturday, the Angels eased into the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round with an emphatic replay win over Steyning Town Community on Tuesday evening to set up an intriguing tie with Steve McKimm’s Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Two early goals from Brody Peart and Bobby Unwin followed by a third before the half-time break from Arthur Penney set the scene for a comfortable evening at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
Answering the question that “we put on a bit of show”, Craig Nelson commented: “That’s what we should have been looking to replicate in the first game, so it is a shame that we have had to come and do it on a Tuesday night, but there’s nothing better than doing it in front of our own fans. I’m really happy with tonight’s performance.”
On a mild evening, Craig made three changes from Saturday’s starting XI with Alfie Allen, Ben Mundele and Peart coming in for Scott Wagstaff, Bailey Akehurst and Martell Taylor-Crossdale, each of whom dropping to the bench.
In the opening minutes the long throw of Harry Heath, much in evidence for Steyning on Saturday, was hurled into the box, but without the concern that it caused at The Shooting Ground as it sailed out of play.
On seven minutes the Angels hit the front when a long ball punted forward by Nazir Bakrin was controlled as it came out of the night sky with Peart’s first touch taking him inside the defender giving him the space to pick out the far corner of the net.
The lead was doubled on 16 minutes when, from the half-way line, Marcus Sablier sent Unwin clear to roll the ball past Mitch Bromage.
Bromage made a superb save on 36 minutes to turn over the crossbar a rising shot from Allen, after the ball had broken loose on the edge of the box. But the reprieve was only momentary as, from the resultant corner, Penney moved into space, unchallenged, to bury a header from six yards.
Steyning came out for the second period with attacking intent and Heath brought a low save from Jacob Adams on 57 minutes, and a minute later they scored, following a free kick into the box that was only headed into the path of Tad Bromage, who swept the ball home.
Any worries of a Saturday-type comeback were quickly put to bed, after 65 minutes, when Unwin cut in from the right to curl a shot into the far corner from just inside the 18 yard box.
Just two minutes had elapsed when Peart took a clearance from Adams to go forward a few yards, shake off a challenge and unleash a shot from 30 yards that found its way to the net under the body of the sprawling Bromage.
The evening was wrapped up with three minutes remaining as Mackenzie Richardson turned the ball back from the byeline for substitute Bumni Babajide to slide in and touch home at the near post.
Tonbridge Angels (3) 6
Steyning Town Community (0) 1
Attendance: 413
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/1,683
After the nervy finish in west Sussex on Saturday, the Angels eased into the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round with an emphatic replay win over Steyning Town Community on Tuesday evening to set up an intriguing tie with Steve McKimm’s Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Two early goals from Brody Peart and Bobby Unwin followed by a third before the half-time break from Arthur Penney set the scene for a comfortable evening at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
Answering the question that “we put on a bit of show”, Craig Nelson commented: “That’s what we should have been looking to replicate in the first game, so it is a shame that we have had to come and do it on a Tuesday night, but there’s nothing better than doing it in front of our own fans. I’m really happy with tonight’s performance.”
On a mild evening, Craig made three changes from Saturday’s starting XI with Alfie Allen, Ben Mundele and Peart coming in for Scott Wagstaff, Bailey Akehurst and Martell Taylor-Crossdale, each of whom dropping to the bench.
In the opening minutes the long throw of Harry Heath, much in evidence for Steyning on Saturday, was hurled into the box, but without the concern that it caused at The Shooting Ground as it sailed out of play.
On seven minutes the Angels hit the front when a long ball punted forward by Nazir Bakrin was controlled as it came out of the night sky with Peart’s first touch taking him inside the defender giving him the space to pick out the far corner of the net.
The lead was doubled on 16 minutes when, from the half-way line, Marcus Sablier sent Unwin clear to roll the ball past Mitch Bromage.
Bromage made a superb save on 36 minutes to turn over the crossbar a rising shot from Allen, after the ball had broken loose on the edge of the box. But the reprieve was only momentary as, from the resultant corner, Penney moved into space, unchallenged, to bury a header from six yards.
Steyning came out for the second period with attacking intent and Heath brought a low save from Jacob Adams on 57 minutes, and a minute later they scored, following a free kick into the box that was only headed into the path of Tad Bromage, who swept the ball home.
Any worries of a Saturday-type comeback were quickly put to bed, after 65 minutes, when Unwin cut in from the right to curl a shot into the far corner from just inside the 18 yard box.
Just two minutes had elapsed when Peart took a clearance from Adams to go forward a few yards, shake off a challenge and unleash a shot from 30 yards that found its way to the net under the body of the sprawling Bromage.
The evening was wrapped up with three minutes remaining as Mackenzie Richardson turned the ball back from the byeline for substitute Bumni Babajide to slide in and touch home at the near post.
Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Cray Wanderers U18 1
Match 23/25/2366 - Monday, 15th September 2025 - FA Youth Cup 1QR
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3
Cray Wanderers (1) 1
Attendance: 82
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,645
Tonbridge Angels U18’s progressed in the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening with a hard-earned win over Cray Wanderers.
The Angels produced an excellent second half performance after an opening 45 minutes which reflected the 1-1 scoreline.
Dom Welsh reflected: “It was a solid performance against good opposition. We controlled the first half in terms of possession but lacked a threat and looked vulnerable, but without the error, we would have gone in ahead.”
Tonbridge took the lead on the half-hour, but prior to the opening goal, the game had been tit-for-tat in terms of chances. For Cray Wanderers, Samuel Robinson was a constant threat bringing saves from Jacob Hunt and also seeing an effort narrowly go wide, whilst the visiting goalkeeper, Kevin Kardell saved from Ashton Lucas and Robert Penman.
The Angels lead came from the penalty spot, stroked home by Mackenzie Richardson after Kardell had brought down Lucas as the was through one-on-one with the keeper.
Cray responded with an effort from Louis Edwards and a header from Leroy Adedoyin that perhaps should have brought them level. But, they were gifted an equaliser with five minutes remaining in the half when, playing out from the back, a misplaced pass from Hunt left Finlay Flint with the unguarded goal at his mercy.
Tonbridge took the game, in the second half, to their opponents, although Hunt needed to be at his best to turn over the crossbar a goal bound effort from Billy Wall. The Angels restored their lead, on 66 minutes, when a corner fell at the feet of substitute Nathaniel Waul, who fired through a crowd of bodies to fine the net.
Having survived another awkward moment via a poor back pass that went unpunished, the Angels wrapped up the game with eight minutes remaining when Fiachra Pritchard slid home a finish at the far post after good work from Penman.
The draw for the Second Qualifying Round will be made on Friday, 19th September.
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3
Cray Wanderers (1) 1
Attendance: 82
Admission: £5
Mileage: 38/1,645
Tonbridge Angels U18’s progressed in the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening with a hard-earned win over Cray Wanderers.
The Angels produced an excellent second half performance after an opening 45 minutes which reflected the 1-1 scoreline.
Dom Welsh reflected: “It was a solid performance against good opposition. We controlled the first half in terms of possession but lacked a threat and looked vulnerable, but without the error, we would have gone in ahead.”
Tonbridge took the lead on the half-hour, but prior to the opening goal, the game had been tit-for-tat in terms of chances. For Cray Wanderers, Samuel Robinson was a constant threat bringing saves from Jacob Hunt and also seeing an effort narrowly go wide, whilst the visiting goalkeeper, Kevin Kardell saved from Ashton Lucas and Robert Penman.
The Angels lead came from the penalty spot, stroked home by Mackenzie Richardson after Kardell had brought down Lucas as the was through one-on-one with the keeper.
Cray responded with an effort from Louis Edwards and a header from Leroy Adedoyin that perhaps should have brought them level. But, they were gifted an equaliser with five minutes remaining in the half when, playing out from the back, a misplaced pass from Hunt left Finlay Flint with the unguarded goal at his mercy.
Tonbridge took the game, in the second half, to their opponents, although Hunt needed to be at his best to turn over the crossbar a goal bound effort from Billy Wall. The Angels restored their lead, on 66 minutes, when a corner fell at the feet of substitute Nathaniel Waul, who fired through a crowd of bodies to fine the net.
Having survived another awkward moment via a poor back pass that went unpunished, the Angels wrapped up the game with eight minutes remaining when Fiachra Pritchard slid home a finish at the far post after good work from Penman.
The draw for the Second Qualifying Round will be made on Friday, 19th September.
Monday, 15 September 2025
Steyning Town Community 2 Tonbridge Angels 2
Match 22/25/2365 - Saturday, 13th September 2025 - FA Cup 2QR
Steyning Town Community (0) 2 Heath 83 Jarvis 89
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Sablier 17,75
Attendance: 367
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 140/1,607
New Ground: 395
The Angels avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin, for now, as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the Second Qualifying Round at The Shooting Ground, home to Steyning Town Community to return the tie to the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The game pivoted on the sending-off of skipper Scott Wagstaff in the third minute of first half added time after receiving a second yellow card for a tackle.
Until that point the Angels had controlled the game, sucked out the enthusiasm of a home crowd high on the scent of a National League scalp and taken a 17th minute lead through Marcus Sablier.
Craig Nelson reflected on the game’s decisive moment: “Scott has hit a tackle that he was a little bit late for the first yellow and for the second it’s a collision in which his foot is too high. Waggy’s all action, so you are going to get that but, in those moments, he could manage it a little bit better. He will be saying exactly the same thing because 11 v 11 they don’t get anywhere near us.”
Craig selected the same side that gained their first National League South win of the season, last Saturday, at Salisbury.
Tonbridge dominated the early stages with Bobby Unwin bringing saves from the Steyning goalkeeper, Mitch Bromage before they opened the scoring when Bailey Akehurst crossed from the left to Sablier, who side-footed home from around 10 yards.
Jordan Higgs smacked a shot against the post and Martell Taylor-Crossdale shot over as the Angels looked to put the game beyond their hosts while enjoying their dominance.
Seven minutes before the break the game was brought to an abrupt halt for a long period which saw Harry Docherty stretchered off. The break in play saw the Angels lose their momentum, something they never quite regained.
Harry Heath’s long throws into the box were beginning to cause problems and when Hayden Skerry blasted over the alarm bells were ringing.
Nine added minutes saw Wagstaff’s dismissal and two more scares on the Angels goal as the hosts finished the half on top.
Two half-time substitutions were made, with Craig introducing Alfie Allen and Ben Mundele for Unwin and Bailey Akehurst as the reshuffle sought to adjust to going down to 10 men and, for the first 20 minutes of the half, Tonbridge looked comfortable despite their disadvantage.
After 52 minutes, the Angels’ faithful behind the goal could barely believe their side hadn’t increased the lead when a shot from Bradley Williams was bundled from the line but, at the other end, the long throws of Heath were causing much anxiety.
Fifteen minutes remained when Sablier converted from close range after a break down the right from substitute Bumni Babajide giving the Angels breathing space.
But the prospect of a comfortable closing 10 minutes evaporated as a cross from the right was met at the far post by Heath to score from close range.
As the clocked ticked into the 90th minute, Steyning found an equaliser when a cross looped off the head of Jack Matton leaving Dion Jarvis to fire into the bottom corner. For the Angels supporters, big in number, it was despair, for the home supporters it was the magic of the Cup.
It was a nervy seven minutes of added time, Steyning pressed hard but it was Angels substitute Brody Peart who had the best chance, breaking clear and cutting in down the left before firing in a powerful shot that Bromage brilliantly pushed to safety.
Craig Nelson looked forward to Tuesday’s replay: “We are still in it and we have Tuesday to put right what we didn’t do today. If we show the same intensity as we did in the first 20 minutes, we are capable of sustaining it, being more patient on the ball, we can carve them open.”
Steyning Town Community (0) 2 Heath 83 Jarvis 89
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Sablier 17,75
Attendance: 367
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 140/1,607
New Ground: 395
The Angels avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin, for now, as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the Second Qualifying Round at The Shooting Ground, home to Steyning Town Community to return the tie to the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The game pivoted on the sending-off of skipper Scott Wagstaff in the third minute of first half added time after receiving a second yellow card for a tackle.
Until that point the Angels had controlled the game, sucked out the enthusiasm of a home crowd high on the scent of a National League scalp and taken a 17th minute lead through Marcus Sablier.
Craig Nelson reflected on the game’s decisive moment: “Scott has hit a tackle that he was a little bit late for the first yellow and for the second it’s a collision in which his foot is too high. Waggy’s all action, so you are going to get that but, in those moments, he could manage it a little bit better. He will be saying exactly the same thing because 11 v 11 they don’t get anywhere near us.”
Craig selected the same side that gained their first National League South win of the season, last Saturday, at Salisbury.
Tonbridge dominated the early stages with Bobby Unwin bringing saves from the Steyning goalkeeper, Mitch Bromage before they opened the scoring when Bailey Akehurst crossed from the left to Sablier, who side-footed home from around 10 yards.
Jordan Higgs smacked a shot against the post and Martell Taylor-Crossdale shot over as the Angels looked to put the game beyond their hosts while enjoying their dominance.
Seven minutes before the break the game was brought to an abrupt halt for a long period which saw Harry Docherty stretchered off. The break in play saw the Angels lose their momentum, something they never quite regained.
Harry Heath’s long throws into the box were beginning to cause problems and when Hayden Skerry blasted over the alarm bells were ringing.
Nine added minutes saw Wagstaff’s dismissal and two more scares on the Angels goal as the hosts finished the half on top.
Two half-time substitutions were made, with Craig introducing Alfie Allen and Ben Mundele for Unwin and Bailey Akehurst as the reshuffle sought to adjust to going down to 10 men and, for the first 20 minutes of the half, Tonbridge looked comfortable despite their disadvantage.
After 52 minutes, the Angels’ faithful behind the goal could barely believe their side hadn’t increased the lead when a shot from Bradley Williams was bundled from the line but, at the other end, the long throws of Heath were causing much anxiety.
Fifteen minutes remained when Sablier converted from close range after a break down the right from substitute Bumni Babajide giving the Angels breathing space.
But the prospect of a comfortable closing 10 minutes evaporated as a cross from the right was met at the far post by Heath to score from close range.
As the clocked ticked into the 90th minute, Steyning found an equaliser when a cross looped off the head of Jack Matton leaving Dion Jarvis to fire into the bottom corner. For the Angels supporters, big in number, it was despair, for the home supporters it was the magic of the Cup.
It was a nervy seven minutes of added time, Steyning pressed hard but it was Angels substitute Brody Peart who had the best chance, breaking clear and cutting in down the left before firing in a powerful shot that Bromage brilliantly pushed to safety.
Craig Nelson looked forward to Tuesday’s replay: “We are still in it and we have Tuesday to put right what we didn’t do today. If we show the same intensity as we did in the first 20 minutes, we are capable of sustaining it, being more patient on the ball, we can carve them open.”
Thursday, 11 September 2025
Three Bridges U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18
Match 21/25/2364 - Monday, 8th September 2025 - Isthmian Youth League
Three Bridges U18 (0) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Unwin 16 Peart 72 Babajide 80
Headcount: 60
Admission: £5
Mileage: 100/1,567
New Ground: 394
Three weeks ago with the Angels Under-18’s trailing Three Bridges in the 96th minute, goalkeeper Jacob Hunt went forward for a corner and stabbed home a valuable equaliser. On Monday, once again in the 96th minute, Hunt was again the saviour, this time in the more traditional role of a goalkeeper, making a point blank save to preserve three points very much hard-earned and well deserved.
In truth, Hunt’s heroics should not have been needed as a largely controlled performance should have led to a comfortable win.
Tonbridge were on the front foot from the outset when, the outstanding River Ballach tested the Three Bridges goalkeeper after just two minutes. The goalkeeper was in action once more to deny Robert Penman before the Angels went in front after 25 minutes with a superb strike into the top corner from 20 yards from Harry Bingham after Fiachra Pritchard and Penman had worked to the ball to the edge of the box.
Ultimately, it was the Three Bridges goalkeeper that denied the visitors a comfortable evening, making good saves to thwart Penman and Ashton Lucas before the break.
After the interval, the Angels remained in charge with the keeper remaining the impenetrable last line of defence making good saves from Penman and Dani Sulovari before a lapse in concentration allowed the home side a route back into the game. A free kick awarded 25 yards out, wide on the right, on 56 minutes, saw a clever straight pass forward when the congested penalty area expected a cross, that allowed the Three Bridges receiver of the pass through on goal to convert with a shot into the bottom corner.
The Angels youngsters quickly regained their composure and were back in front six minutes later when a short corner routine between Pritchard and Callum Fincham saw the cross bundled home at the far post by Jack Gallacher.
A combination of wasteful finishing and the continued excellence of the aforementioned custodian allowed Three Bridges to make their added time assault that emphasised there were two quality goalkeepers on the pitch.
Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was unnecessarily a nervy ending having had many opportunities to kill the game off, but it was a positive away performance.”
Three Bridges U18 (0) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 2 Unwin 16 Peart 72 Babajide 80
Headcount: 60
Admission: £5
Mileage: 100/1,567
New Ground: 394
Three weeks ago with the Angels Under-18’s trailing Three Bridges in the 96th minute, goalkeeper Jacob Hunt went forward for a corner and stabbed home a valuable equaliser. On Monday, once again in the 96th minute, Hunt was again the saviour, this time in the more traditional role of a goalkeeper, making a point blank save to preserve three points very much hard-earned and well deserved.
In truth, Hunt’s heroics should not have been needed as a largely controlled performance should have led to a comfortable win.
Tonbridge were on the front foot from the outset when, the outstanding River Ballach tested the Three Bridges goalkeeper after just two minutes. The goalkeeper was in action once more to deny Robert Penman before the Angels went in front after 25 minutes with a superb strike into the top corner from 20 yards from Harry Bingham after Fiachra Pritchard and Penman had worked to the ball to the edge of the box.
Ultimately, it was the Three Bridges goalkeeper that denied the visitors a comfortable evening, making good saves to thwart Penman and Ashton Lucas before the break.
After the interval, the Angels remained in charge with the keeper remaining the impenetrable last line of defence making good saves from Penman and Dani Sulovari before a lapse in concentration allowed the home side a route back into the game. A free kick awarded 25 yards out, wide on the right, on 56 minutes, saw a clever straight pass forward when the congested penalty area expected a cross, that allowed the Three Bridges receiver of the pass through on goal to convert with a shot into the bottom corner.
The Angels youngsters quickly regained their composure and were back in front six minutes later when a short corner routine between Pritchard and Callum Fincham saw the cross bundled home at the far post by Jack Gallacher.
A combination of wasteful finishing and the continued excellence of the aforementioned custodian allowed Three Bridges to make their added time assault that emphasised there were two quality goalkeepers on the pitch.
Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was unnecessarily a nervy ending having had many opportunities to kill the game off, but it was a positive away performance.”
Sunday, 7 September 2025
Salisbury 1 Tonbridge Angels 3
Match 20/25/2363 - Saturday, 6th September 2025 - National League South
Salisbury (0) 1 Coppin 85 (pen)
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Unwin 16 Peart 72 Babajide 80
Attendance: 857
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 260/1,467
New Ground: 393
It’s been a while in coming, but Saturday was the day that the plan came together and, for the first time this season, the Angels faithful were able to enjoy the sweet taste of victory.
Craig Nelson’s team were asked to soak up a lot of pressure from a Salisbury side, also searching for their first win of the season, but with the defence standing firm, swift counter attacks brought three superb goals to bring home the points.
A delighted Craig said in his post-match interview: “The credit is with the boys because they have applied themselves all over the pitch today, so they will definitely be in there enjoying that one. Salisbury are a good side with the way they want to play and get the ball to their wingers quickly but we suffocated them, or when they did get the ball to them we were on them. We knew they would be susceptible to the counter attack and all three of our goals came from that, three really good goals.”
On a pleasantly warm afternoon in Wiltshire, Craig made four changes from the side, disappointingly beaten by Enfield Town on Tuesday. Returning to the starting XI were Scott Wagstaff, Arthur Penney, Brandon Pierrick and Martell Taylor-Crossdale with Eddie Simon, precautionary following the head injury sustained on Tuesday, Alfie Allen, Jack Matton and Brody Peart taking places on the bench.
Pivotal moments can arrive in games at any time and one such moment arrived after only six minutes when Jacob Adams made a superb one-handed save to claw away a close range effort from Matty Taylor.
The Angels settled into the game and after Bobby Unwin had tested the Salisbury goalkeeper, Will Buse, for the first time it was the Tonbridge winger who put his side in front after 16 minutes converting with a far post header following a long cross from the left into the box from Bailey Akehurst.
The two sides largely cancelled each other out in the first half until five minutes before the break when Taylor had a golden chance to bring the hosts level but steered his shot well wide.
Salisbury’s manager Brian Dutton sent his team back out after barely 10 minutes in the dressing room, one would imagine with something more than a flea in the ear and they responded to a degree as the pressure on the Angels goal was intense but the Angels rearguard snuffed out the threat to the point that Adams was not asked to make a single save of note.
Craig rang the changes after the hour mark introducing Allen for Wagstaff, Peart for Unwin and Bunmi Babajide for Pierrick and the added pace up front stretched an already over-committed Salisbury.
On 72 minutes, a short corner was laid back from Marcus Sablier to Akehurst and on to Peart who took a stride before curling a splendid shot into the top corner to allow him to celebrate with his family and the travelling supporters positioned behind the goal.
The game, and the valuable points, were seemingly sealed with 10 minutes remaining when a lightning counter attack scythed apart the Salisbury back line. A surging run out of midfield and pass to the right from Allen sent Taylor-Crossdale clear on the right and his inch-perfect low cross into the box was met by Babajide who swept the ball home from around the penalty spot.
A Salisbury penalty with five minutes remaining, converted by Noah Coppin, appeared nothing more than a consolation but when the fourth official held up the board indicating 12 added minutes there was a flutter of concern among the Angels support. But they had nothing to worry about, in fact, Taylor-Crossdale brought a good, low save from Buse and Jordan Higgs had the final effort of the game, comfortably saved as the time was seen out with ease.
Craig summed up: “We would have liked to have had more possession in the game that’s what we are here to do but that’s not always going to happen, especially away from home. We defended our box exceptionally well and, today, we’ve brought it all together, we’ve proved that we can score goals because we’ve done that. It would have been nice to have had a clean sheet because the boys at the back were exceptional in the way they have defended. Turning it around after Tuesday was a big deal, some people could have folded but they didn’t and I hope that the fans that travelled were proud of the performance.”
Salisbury (0) 1 Coppin 85 (pen)
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Unwin 16 Peart 72 Babajide 80
Attendance: 857
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 260/1,467
New Ground: 393
It’s been a while in coming, but Saturday was the day that the plan came together and, for the first time this season, the Angels faithful were able to enjoy the sweet taste of victory.
Craig Nelson’s team were asked to soak up a lot of pressure from a Salisbury side, also searching for their first win of the season, but with the defence standing firm, swift counter attacks brought three superb goals to bring home the points.
A delighted Craig said in his post-match interview: “The credit is with the boys because they have applied themselves all over the pitch today, so they will definitely be in there enjoying that one. Salisbury are a good side with the way they want to play and get the ball to their wingers quickly but we suffocated them, or when they did get the ball to them we were on them. We knew they would be susceptible to the counter attack and all three of our goals came from that, three really good goals.”
On a pleasantly warm afternoon in Wiltshire, Craig made four changes from the side, disappointingly beaten by Enfield Town on Tuesday. Returning to the starting XI were Scott Wagstaff, Arthur Penney, Brandon Pierrick and Martell Taylor-Crossdale with Eddie Simon, precautionary following the head injury sustained on Tuesday, Alfie Allen, Jack Matton and Brody Peart taking places on the bench.
Pivotal moments can arrive in games at any time and one such moment arrived after only six minutes when Jacob Adams made a superb one-handed save to claw away a close range effort from Matty Taylor.
The Angels settled into the game and after Bobby Unwin had tested the Salisbury goalkeeper, Will Buse, for the first time it was the Tonbridge winger who put his side in front after 16 minutes converting with a far post header following a long cross from the left into the box from Bailey Akehurst.
The two sides largely cancelled each other out in the first half until five minutes before the break when Taylor had a golden chance to bring the hosts level but steered his shot well wide.
Salisbury’s manager Brian Dutton sent his team back out after barely 10 minutes in the dressing room, one would imagine with something more than a flea in the ear and they responded to a degree as the pressure on the Angels goal was intense but the Angels rearguard snuffed out the threat to the point that Adams was not asked to make a single save of note.
Craig rang the changes after the hour mark introducing Allen for Wagstaff, Peart for Unwin and Bunmi Babajide for Pierrick and the added pace up front stretched an already over-committed Salisbury.
On 72 minutes, a short corner was laid back from Marcus Sablier to Akehurst and on to Peart who took a stride before curling a splendid shot into the top corner to allow him to celebrate with his family and the travelling supporters positioned behind the goal.
The game, and the valuable points, were seemingly sealed with 10 minutes remaining when a lightning counter attack scythed apart the Salisbury back line. A surging run out of midfield and pass to the right from Allen sent Taylor-Crossdale clear on the right and his inch-perfect low cross into the box was met by Babajide who swept the ball home from around the penalty spot.
A Salisbury penalty with five minutes remaining, converted by Noah Coppin, appeared nothing more than a consolation but when the fourth official held up the board indicating 12 added minutes there was a flutter of concern among the Angels support. But they had nothing to worry about, in fact, Taylor-Crossdale brought a good, low save from Buse and Jordan Higgs had the final effort of the game, comfortably saved as the time was seen out with ease.
Craig summed up: “We would have liked to have had more possession in the game that’s what we are here to do but that’s not always going to happen, especially away from home. We defended our box exceptionally well and, today, we’ve brought it all together, we’ve proved that we can score goals because we’ve done that. It would have been nice to have had a clean sheet because the boys at the back were exceptional in the way they have defended. Turning it around after Tuesday was a big deal, some people could have folded but they didn’t and I hope that the fans that travelled were proud of the performance.”
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
Tonbridge Angels 1 Enfield Town 2
Match 19/25/2362 - Tuesday, 2nd September 2025 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Simon 25
Enfield Town (2) 2 Brown 12 Youngs 34
Attendance: 801
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,207
Tonbridge Angels fell to a dispiriting defeat at the Yeomans Community Stadium as two teams without a win met in what had become a ridiculously significant fixture for the second day in September.
On a damp, autumnal evening, Craig Nelson made four changes from the side that fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Farnborough on Saturday. Bradley Williams retained his place following his early substitute appearance for Matty Warren; returning to the team were Jordan Higgs, Jack Matton and Brody Peart with Scott Wagstaff, Arthur Penney and Martell Taylor-Crossdale taking places on the bench.
All three goals came in the first 35 minutes, with Eddie Simon equalising for the Angels after Enfield Town had taken a 12th minute lead.
Craig reflected on the performance in his post-match interview: “We are conceding the same type of goal time and time again. We started brightly, keeping the ball well, but we were toothless when we have got the ball forward into the final third. You cannot win games if you are going to roll over and not compete in the first or second phase and teams are scoring too easily against us.”
The home side were given due warning of the left wing threat that would come from Nino Adom-Malaki when he cut in to shoot over after nine minutes. Three minutes later, the winger crossed to the far post where it was met with a Sam Youngs header, directed back across the face of goal, for Bayley Brown to tuck home from close range.
Adom-Malaki was the provider again as Youngs’ effort cleared the bar before the Angels had their opening effort with a Peart shot that was saved comfortably by Rhys Forster.
Tonbridge were on level terms after 25 minutes when Marcus Sablier slotted a pass through to Simon who found the bottom corner under pressure from a defender.
Parity was relatively short-lived as the visitors regained the lead on 34 minutes with Adom-Malaki crossing for Youngs to be allowed the time, six yards out, to collect, turn and finish.
Wagstaff was introduced for the second half and immediately injected a tempo that was missing from the opening 45 minutes.
The half unfolded with the Angels showing a greater intensity but the opportunities mainly came and went without Forster being unduly troubled. Higgs headed wide following a corner; Peart shot over and when Simon needed to be substituted after being clattered by Forster, as the goalkeeper advanced beyond his area, the main threat had been removed.
Seven minutes remained when substitute Bunmi Babajide struck the outside of the right hand post but in the remaining minutes it was more likely that Enfield Town would add to their score with Youngs shooting into the side netting and, as a parting shot, firing over.
Craig Nelson commented on the supporters’ reaction at the final whistle; “I don’t blame the fans for that, we are here for them in terms of trying to win games of football and when we are playing teams in and around us, if we don’t win we have to perform better than that and you can’t not win and not perform and expect to have the fans behind you. They are right and the boys have to wear that because if they don’t do that then that’s how it feels. The fans are right to have their voice.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Simon 25
Enfield Town (2) 2 Brown 12 Youngs 34
Attendance: 801
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,207
Tonbridge Angels fell to a dispiriting defeat at the Yeomans Community Stadium as two teams without a win met in what had become a ridiculously significant fixture for the second day in September.
On a damp, autumnal evening, Craig Nelson made four changes from the side that fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Farnborough on Saturday. Bradley Williams retained his place following his early substitute appearance for Matty Warren; returning to the team were Jordan Higgs, Jack Matton and Brody Peart with Scott Wagstaff, Arthur Penney and Martell Taylor-Crossdale taking places on the bench.
All three goals came in the first 35 minutes, with Eddie Simon equalising for the Angels after Enfield Town had taken a 12th minute lead.
Craig reflected on the performance in his post-match interview: “We are conceding the same type of goal time and time again. We started brightly, keeping the ball well, but we were toothless when we have got the ball forward into the final third. You cannot win games if you are going to roll over and not compete in the first or second phase and teams are scoring too easily against us.”
The home side were given due warning of the left wing threat that would come from Nino Adom-Malaki when he cut in to shoot over after nine minutes. Three minutes later, the winger crossed to the far post where it was met with a Sam Youngs header, directed back across the face of goal, for Bayley Brown to tuck home from close range.
Adom-Malaki was the provider again as Youngs’ effort cleared the bar before the Angels had their opening effort with a Peart shot that was saved comfortably by Rhys Forster.
Tonbridge were on level terms after 25 minutes when Marcus Sablier slotted a pass through to Simon who found the bottom corner under pressure from a defender.
Parity was relatively short-lived as the visitors regained the lead on 34 minutes with Adom-Malaki crossing for Youngs to be allowed the time, six yards out, to collect, turn and finish.
Wagstaff was introduced for the second half and immediately injected a tempo that was missing from the opening 45 minutes.
The half unfolded with the Angels showing a greater intensity but the opportunities mainly came and went without Forster being unduly troubled. Higgs headed wide following a corner; Peart shot over and when Simon needed to be substituted after being clattered by Forster, as the goalkeeper advanced beyond his area, the main threat had been removed.
Seven minutes remained when substitute Bunmi Babajide struck the outside of the right hand post but in the remaining minutes it was more likely that Enfield Town would add to their score with Youngs shooting into the side netting and, as a parting shot, firing over.
Craig Nelson commented on the supporters’ reaction at the final whistle; “I don’t blame the fans for that, we are here for them in terms of trying to win games of football and when we are playing teams in and around us, if we don’t win we have to perform better than that and you can’t not win and not perform and expect to have the fans behind you. They are right and the boys have to wear that because if they don’t do that then that’s how it feels. The fans are right to have their voice.”
Sunday, 31 August 2025
Tonbridge Angels 3 Farnborough 3
Match 18/25/2361 - Saturday, 30th August 2025 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Simon 35,73 Pierrick 80
Farnborough (0) 3 Bingham 50 Poleon 65,80
Attendance: 839
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,169
Disappointment was etched on the faces of Tonbridge Angels players leaving the pitch after a rollercoaster game against Farnborough that ended three apiece but left them still searching their first victory of the season.
Opinion will undoubtedly be divided, as it usually is at the end of such a match, whether it was a point won or two lost, but the character shown indicated a never-say-die spirit.
Craig Nelson said in his post-match interview: “The performance tells me that we have the right characters in the building for sure, but I knew that anyway and it is testament to them that after Monday’s performance and result they could have come in flat but they were bubbly on Thursday and worked really hard to ensure they were well prepared for today’s game and, for large parts, we were really good.”
Craig made four changes from the comprehensive defeat at Dorking Wanderers on Bank Holiday Monday with Matthew Warren, Scott Wagstaff, Marcus Sablier and Bobby Unwin starting for Bradley Williams, Jordan Higgs, Bunmi Babajide and Brody Peart. Williams time on the bench was just seven minutes as Warren rolled an ankle to be substituted.
Farnborough’s much vaunted strike force of Dominic Poleon and Rakish Bingham brought the opening opportunity with the Angels goalkeeper, Jacob Adams thwarting the latter after five minutes.
After 10 minutes, a 25 yard shot from Bailey Akehurst brought a good save from Jack Turner, who pushed the ball to safety.
Unwin pulled a ball back from the byline that was smothered at the near post by Turner before Wagstaff shot narrowly wide as the Angels were taking control of the game.
The visitors had two great chances to open the scoring with Poleon missing a header at the far post and spurning another opportunity having been set up by Renny Smith
The breakthrough came on 35 minutes as a lofted ball forward from Wagstaff released Eddie Simon, who still had plenty to do from the left hand corner of the box, but as Turner advanced, Simon lifted the ball over his head and into the far corner, for not only the first goal at Longmead this season, but also Simon’s first competitive goal for the club.
Simon might have doubled his tally on 42 minutes when he shot narrowly wide, assisted by Wagstaff’s pass.
The visitors showed great intent from the outset of the second half and were level on 51 minutes when the ball was crossed into the box for Bingham to steal in, unchallenged, to sweep home from around six yards.
On 64 minutes Farnborough were in front after a free kick was turned back across the face of goal by Lachlan Byrd for Poleon to pouch a finish at the left hand post.
Nelson rang the changes introducing Higgs, Babajide and Peart on 70 minutes and, three minutes later, a poor back pass from Ali Omar was seized upon by Simon who rounded Turner before slotting the ball into the unguarded net as his angle narrowed.
Ten minutes remained when Farnborough regained the lead as Smith released Poleon to crash a shot past Adams.
But the Angels spirit was alive and kicking and when Peart turned his defender with a clever dummy, drove forward and laid a pass into Pierrick, who from 20 yards, picked out the top corner with a superb strike.
Final opportunity of the game fell to Farnborough’s Teddy Collis, who pulled his shot wide in the last of eight added minutes but a draw was a fair reflection following a frantic second period.
Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Simon 35,73 Pierrick 80
Farnborough (0) 3 Bingham 50 Poleon 65,80
Attendance: 839
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,169
Disappointment was etched on the faces of Tonbridge Angels players leaving the pitch after a rollercoaster game against Farnborough that ended three apiece but left them still searching their first victory of the season.
Opinion will undoubtedly be divided, as it usually is at the end of such a match, whether it was a point won or two lost, but the character shown indicated a never-say-die spirit.
Craig Nelson said in his post-match interview: “The performance tells me that we have the right characters in the building for sure, but I knew that anyway and it is testament to them that after Monday’s performance and result they could have come in flat but they were bubbly on Thursday and worked really hard to ensure they were well prepared for today’s game and, for large parts, we were really good.”
Craig made four changes from the comprehensive defeat at Dorking Wanderers on Bank Holiday Monday with Matthew Warren, Scott Wagstaff, Marcus Sablier and Bobby Unwin starting for Bradley Williams, Jordan Higgs, Bunmi Babajide and Brody Peart. Williams time on the bench was just seven minutes as Warren rolled an ankle to be substituted.
Farnborough’s much vaunted strike force of Dominic Poleon and Rakish Bingham brought the opening opportunity with the Angels goalkeeper, Jacob Adams thwarting the latter after five minutes.
After 10 minutes, a 25 yard shot from Bailey Akehurst brought a good save from Jack Turner, who pushed the ball to safety.
Unwin pulled a ball back from the byline that was smothered at the near post by Turner before Wagstaff shot narrowly wide as the Angels were taking control of the game.
The visitors had two great chances to open the scoring with Poleon missing a header at the far post and spurning another opportunity having been set up by Renny Smith
The breakthrough came on 35 minutes as a lofted ball forward from Wagstaff released Eddie Simon, who still had plenty to do from the left hand corner of the box, but as Turner advanced, Simon lifted the ball over his head and into the far corner, for not only the first goal at Longmead this season, but also Simon’s first competitive goal for the club.
Simon might have doubled his tally on 42 minutes when he shot narrowly wide, assisted by Wagstaff’s pass.
The visitors showed great intent from the outset of the second half and were level on 51 minutes when the ball was crossed into the box for Bingham to steal in, unchallenged, to sweep home from around six yards.
On 64 minutes Farnborough were in front after a free kick was turned back across the face of goal by Lachlan Byrd for Poleon to pouch a finish at the left hand post.
Nelson rang the changes introducing Higgs, Babajide and Peart on 70 minutes and, three minutes later, a poor back pass from Ali Omar was seized upon by Simon who rounded Turner before slotting the ball into the unguarded net as his angle narrowed.
Ten minutes remained when Farnborough regained the lead as Smith released Poleon to crash a shot past Adams.
But the Angels spirit was alive and kicking and when Peart turned his defender with a clever dummy, drove forward and laid a pass into Pierrick, who from 20 yards, picked out the top corner with a superb strike.
Final opportunity of the game fell to Farnborough’s Teddy Collis, who pulled his shot wide in the last of eight added minutes but a draw was a fair reflection following a frantic second period.
Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Dorking Wanderers 4 Tonbridge Angels 1
Match 17/25/2360 - Monday, 25th August 2025 - National League South
Dorking Wanderers (2) 4
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1
Attendance: 860
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 104/1,131
Tonbridge Angels endured a chastening August Bank Holiday with a comprehensive defeat at Dorking Wanderers.
Two goals down in the opening 10 minutes, the home side added two second half goals to render Bobby Unwin’s first competitive goal for the club nothing more than a consolation.
Craig Nelson, who took the post-match interview alongside assistant Bryan Nzinga, reflected: “Giving anyone a two goal lead is going to be difficult to come back from, away from home at Dorking is going to be even tougher. It is a shame that in those two moments of needing to be better in our box, we didn’t make them work hard enough to score against us.”
On a hot afternoon in Surrey, Craig made two changes from the starting XI against Chesham United. Scott Wagstaff and Bunmi Babajide came in for Matty Warren and Eddie Simon, who took places on the bench.
Dorking set the Angels on the back foot from the outset with only a last ditch tackle from Nazir Bakrin denying Alfie Rutherford within the first minute, but the reprieve was short-lived as the ball was given away in a forward area for Dorking to sweep forward for Rutherford to steal in at the near post to convert a cross from James McShane.
In the 10th minute the lead was doubled as a cross from Josh Taylor was lifted over the heads of the Tonbridge defenders to find Charlie Carter, who had time and space for a comfortable finish.
The Angels managed to stem the tide and created a couple of chances of their own with a surging run from Bradley Williams and a shot across the face of goal that narrowly went wide.
Williams was getting some joy down the right and an early second half cross was cut out with a low save from Harrison Foulkes as Martell Taylor-Crossdale closed in.
The game was effectively put beyond the reach of the Angels just past the hour with the ultimate route one goal when a punt forward from Foulkes was headed on by Jason Prior and as the ball was allowed to bounce eight yards out, Rutherford looped a header over Jacob Adams.
The 153 Angels supporters that had made their way to Meadowbank were given something to cheer within a minute when Jordan Higgs fed a pass to the left side of the Dorking area, from where substitute Unwin slotted into the far corner.
But any hope of a Dagenham-type comeback was snuffed out on 73 minutes when Dorking added a fourth with Brennan Camp sweeping home a cross.
Profligate finishing from Josh Hebert allowed Tonbridge to escape from Meadowbank without the scoreline worsening.
Craig looked forward: “We don’t stay down too long, there is nothing they can do about the game today now, so they can sit and wallow in that for a day, but Tuesday evening they need to be bright, bushy tailed and ready to go for Thursday.”
Dorking Wanderers (2) 4
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1
Attendance: 860
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 104/1,131
Tonbridge Angels endured a chastening August Bank Holiday with a comprehensive defeat at Dorking Wanderers.
Two goals down in the opening 10 minutes, the home side added two second half goals to render Bobby Unwin’s first competitive goal for the club nothing more than a consolation.
Craig Nelson, who took the post-match interview alongside assistant Bryan Nzinga, reflected: “Giving anyone a two goal lead is going to be difficult to come back from, away from home at Dorking is going to be even tougher. It is a shame that in those two moments of needing to be better in our box, we didn’t make them work hard enough to score against us.”
On a hot afternoon in Surrey, Craig made two changes from the starting XI against Chesham United. Scott Wagstaff and Bunmi Babajide came in for Matty Warren and Eddie Simon, who took places on the bench.
Dorking set the Angels on the back foot from the outset with only a last ditch tackle from Nazir Bakrin denying Alfie Rutherford within the first minute, but the reprieve was short-lived as the ball was given away in a forward area for Dorking to sweep forward for Rutherford to steal in at the near post to convert a cross from James McShane.
In the 10th minute the lead was doubled as a cross from Josh Taylor was lifted over the heads of the Tonbridge defenders to find Charlie Carter, who had time and space for a comfortable finish.
The Angels managed to stem the tide and created a couple of chances of their own with a surging run from Bradley Williams and a shot across the face of goal that narrowly went wide.
Williams was getting some joy down the right and an early second half cross was cut out with a low save from Harrison Foulkes as Martell Taylor-Crossdale closed in.
The game was effectively put beyond the reach of the Angels just past the hour with the ultimate route one goal when a punt forward from Foulkes was headed on by Jason Prior and as the ball was allowed to bounce eight yards out, Rutherford looped a header over Jacob Adams.
The 153 Angels supporters that had made their way to Meadowbank were given something to cheer within a minute when Jordan Higgs fed a pass to the left side of the Dorking area, from where substitute Unwin slotted into the far corner.
But any hope of a Dagenham-type comeback was snuffed out on 73 minutes when Dorking added a fourth with Brennan Camp sweeping home a cross.
Profligate finishing from Josh Hebert allowed Tonbridge to escape from Meadowbank without the scoreline worsening.
Craig looked forward: “We don’t stay down too long, there is nothing they can do about the game today now, so they can sit and wallow in that for a day, but Tuesday evening they need to be bright, bushy tailed and ready to go for Thursday.”
Tonbridge Angels 0 Chesham United 0
Match 16/25/2359 - Saturday, 23rd August 2025 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Chesham United (0) 0
Attendance: 860
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,027
Defences ruled the day as Tonbridge Angels and Chesham United fought out a goalless draw with chances to break the deadlock very much at a premium.
Both sides were looking to build on good midweek results with the Angels having come from two down to take a point at Dagenham and Redbridge, whilst Chesham had a respectable draw with Horsham.
Craig Nelson selected an unchanged side with new signing Mackenzie Foley taking a place on the bench as back-up goalkeeper replacing Alexander Dubov, who has embarked on his time at Manchester University.
Craig reflected in his post-match interview: “We are in games now, we are competing, people can feel that and see it which is good. It’s just around getting over the line, we did enough to create opportunities in the final third but we’ve just got to do a little bit better when we get there. That’s how you win games of football and that’s what we are here to do. Draws can kill you slowly, it is better the draw than lose but those are the fine margins that we need to replicate, when we get into the final third, our habits that we train on, to get the three points.”
The home side had the early momentum with Eddie Simon and Martell Taylor-Crossdale asking comfortable saves from Ben Goode and a well-timed block to deny Alfie Allen.
The chance of the half came on 19 minutes when Taylor-Crossdale brought a very good save from Goode, who clawed the ball away from seemingly behind him and heading towards the corner of the net.
Chesham’s ambition grew towards the back end of the half with chances for Matt Lench and Nathan Minhas without testing Jacob Adams.
The second half saw both defences take an even firmer grip on the game. Brody Peart brought a 56th minute save from Goode and, on 69 minutes, Taylor-Crossdale had the ball in the net, but his effort was denied by an offside flag.
Multiple substitutions from both sides failed to change the course of the game that ended with the visitors maintaining their unbeaten start to the season whilst the Angels search for their first win and a goal at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Chesham United (0) 0
Attendance: 860
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/1,027
Defences ruled the day as Tonbridge Angels and Chesham United fought out a goalless draw with chances to break the deadlock very much at a premium.
Both sides were looking to build on good midweek results with the Angels having come from two down to take a point at Dagenham and Redbridge, whilst Chesham had a respectable draw with Horsham.
Craig Nelson selected an unchanged side with new signing Mackenzie Foley taking a place on the bench as back-up goalkeeper replacing Alexander Dubov, who has embarked on his time at Manchester University.
Craig reflected in his post-match interview: “We are in games now, we are competing, people can feel that and see it which is good. It’s just around getting over the line, we did enough to create opportunities in the final third but we’ve just got to do a little bit better when we get there. That’s how you win games of football and that’s what we are here to do. Draws can kill you slowly, it is better the draw than lose but those are the fine margins that we need to replicate, when we get into the final third, our habits that we train on, to get the three points.”
The home side had the early momentum with Eddie Simon and Martell Taylor-Crossdale asking comfortable saves from Ben Goode and a well-timed block to deny Alfie Allen.
The chance of the half came on 19 minutes when Taylor-Crossdale brought a very good save from Goode, who clawed the ball away from seemingly behind him and heading towards the corner of the net.
Chesham’s ambition grew towards the back end of the half with chances for Matt Lench and Nathan Minhas without testing Jacob Adams.
The second half saw both defences take an even firmer grip on the game. Brody Peart brought a 56th minute save from Goode and, on 69 minutes, Taylor-Crossdale had the ball in the net, but his effort was denied by an offside flag.
Multiple substitutions from both sides failed to change the course of the game that ended with the visitors maintaining their unbeaten start to the season whilst the Angels search for their first win and a goal at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
Friday, 22 August 2025
Dagenham & Redbridge 2 Tonbridge Angels 2
Match 15/25/2358 - Tuesday, 19th August 2025 - National League South
Dagenham & Redbridge (2) 2 Wilson 10 Hemmings (pen) 16
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Warren 37 Allen 67
Attendance: 1,523
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 110/989
Tonbridge Angels produced a stunning comeback to secure a well-deserved point at Dagenham and Redbridge on a thrilling evening at Victoria Road.
Undeservedly two goals down after 16 minutes after a bright start, Craig Nelson’s team took the game to their illustrious opposition and a screamer from Matthew Warren and second half finish from Alfie Allen brought delight and appreciation to 178 travelling Angels supporters, who had given their team immense support throughout.
Craig Nelson reflected in his post-match interview: “We worked hard, we ran, we made a lot more forward runs to put them under pressure and we got our just rewards for it. We played really well in patches, particularly in the first half, in the latter part of that half we really grew and if we could have nicked another one, it would have made the second half really spicy.”
Craig made four changes to the starting XI well beaten at AFC Totton with Eddie Simon returning to partner Marcell Taylor-Crossdale up top; Allen and Warren were drafted into midfield with Nazir Bakrin added to the back line. Scott Wagstaff, Brandon Pierrick, Marcus Sablier and Jack Matton took places on the bench.
Tonbridge showed their attacking intent from the outset with Eddie Simon curling a low shot from the left side of the box into the welcoming arms of the Dagenham goalkeeper, Sam Howes.
The momentum was still with the Angels when they went a goal down on 10 minutes. A surging run down the right from Reggie Young took him to the bye-line from where he pulled the ball back for Donovan Wilson who had made space in the box to allow him a smart finish into the bottom corner.
The lead was doubled on 16 minutes, when a run into the box from Joe Haigh was stalled and as the ball ran loose, Ashley Hemming went down under a challenge from Bradley Williams leaving referee Morgan Conn to point to the spot. Hemmings despatched his penalty to leave the Angels with an uphill task.
There was an almost immediate response as Brody Peart cut in from the right to curl a shot that struck the far post, but, for a 10 minute period, the visitors were hanging on to the game by a thread, mainly due to fine goalkeeping from Jacob Adams who saved from Haigh and turned over an effort from Paul Kalambiyi with an acrobatic save.
Another Peart cross, who was enjoying himself down the right brought a deflection from a defender under pressure from Taylor-Crossdale on 33 minutes before a magic moment from Warren cut the deficit to a single goal four minutes later. The ball was fed into midfield from Taylor-Crossdale into the path of Warren, who took aim from 25 yards with a shot that found the top corner.
The half-time break didn’t come at a great time for the Angels as they were ending the half with all the momentum forcing Howes into an added time save.
The second half began with Taylor-Crossdale again testing Howes, who made a very decent save.
On the hour, Adams needed to be alert to save from Kalambiyi before, on 67 minutes time almost appeared to stand still for an agonising moment. Jordan Higgs fired a shot towards goal that took a deflection off Simon, who challenged for the ball with the goalkeeper and a defender as as the ball broke loose Allen was on hand to loft his shot over Howes, whose hand slowed the ball but wasn’t enough to stop its path into the unguarded net.
Dagenham needed a response with their own supporters becoming frustrated and Adams saved well after79 minutes, but the home side’s efforts were mainly desperate going either wide or high and the final act saw a chance for substitute Wagstaff that drifted wide.
A memorable evening in the east end of London was brought to an end to rapturous appreciation from the Angels faithful, who had been truly magnificent.
Dagenham & Redbridge (2) 2 Wilson 10 Hemmings (pen) 16
Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Warren 37 Allen 67
Attendance: 1,523
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 110/989
Tonbridge Angels produced a stunning comeback to secure a well-deserved point at Dagenham and Redbridge on a thrilling evening at Victoria Road.
Undeservedly two goals down after 16 minutes after a bright start, Craig Nelson’s team took the game to their illustrious opposition and a screamer from Matthew Warren and second half finish from Alfie Allen brought delight and appreciation to 178 travelling Angels supporters, who had given their team immense support throughout.
Craig Nelson reflected in his post-match interview: “We worked hard, we ran, we made a lot more forward runs to put them under pressure and we got our just rewards for it. We played really well in patches, particularly in the first half, in the latter part of that half we really grew and if we could have nicked another one, it would have made the second half really spicy.”
Craig made four changes to the starting XI well beaten at AFC Totton with Eddie Simon returning to partner Marcell Taylor-Crossdale up top; Allen and Warren were drafted into midfield with Nazir Bakrin added to the back line. Scott Wagstaff, Brandon Pierrick, Marcus Sablier and Jack Matton took places on the bench.
Tonbridge showed their attacking intent from the outset with Eddie Simon curling a low shot from the left side of the box into the welcoming arms of the Dagenham goalkeeper, Sam Howes.
The momentum was still with the Angels when they went a goal down on 10 minutes. A surging run down the right from Reggie Young took him to the bye-line from where he pulled the ball back for Donovan Wilson who had made space in the box to allow him a smart finish into the bottom corner.
The lead was doubled on 16 minutes, when a run into the box from Joe Haigh was stalled and as the ball ran loose, Ashley Hemming went down under a challenge from Bradley Williams leaving referee Morgan Conn to point to the spot. Hemmings despatched his penalty to leave the Angels with an uphill task.
There was an almost immediate response as Brody Peart cut in from the right to curl a shot that struck the far post, but, for a 10 minute period, the visitors were hanging on to the game by a thread, mainly due to fine goalkeeping from Jacob Adams who saved from Haigh and turned over an effort from Paul Kalambiyi with an acrobatic save.
Another Peart cross, who was enjoying himself down the right brought a deflection from a defender under pressure from Taylor-Crossdale on 33 minutes before a magic moment from Warren cut the deficit to a single goal four minutes later. The ball was fed into midfield from Taylor-Crossdale into the path of Warren, who took aim from 25 yards with a shot that found the top corner.
The half-time break didn’t come at a great time for the Angels as they were ending the half with all the momentum forcing Howes into an added time save.
The second half began with Taylor-Crossdale again testing Howes, who made a very decent save.
On the hour, Adams needed to be alert to save from Kalambiyi before, on 67 minutes time almost appeared to stand still for an agonising moment. Jordan Higgs fired a shot towards goal that took a deflection off Simon, who challenged for the ball with the goalkeeper and a defender as as the ball broke loose Allen was on hand to loft his shot over Howes, whose hand slowed the ball but wasn’t enough to stop its path into the unguarded net.
Dagenham needed a response with their own supporters becoming frustrated and Adams saved well after79 minutes, but the home side’s efforts were mainly desperate going either wide or high and the final act saw a chance for substitute Wagstaff that drifted wide.
A memorable evening in the east end of London was brought to an end to rapturous appreciation from the Angels faithful, who had been truly magnificent.
Tonbridge Angels U18 2 Three Bridges U18 2
Match 14/25/2357 - Monday, 18th August 2025 - Isthmian Youth League
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Barton 77 Hunt 90+6
Three Bridges U18 (2) 2 Byrne 19 Hayden-Pickering 39
Attendance: 56
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/879
It was Tonbridge Angels Jimmy Glass moment* (which for an Under-18 side is way beyond the dim and distant past).
The Angels U18’s had fought hard for an equaliser that appeared out of their reach as they earned a 96th minute corner. With nothing to lose, up came goalkeeper Jacob Hunt to add another body into the mix. The ball fell into a melee of bodies but was finally at the feet of Hunt who stabbed it home from six yards to spark joyous celebrations.
Dominic Welsh, who was short of four regular starters from which to choose his first competitive team of the season, commented after the game: “We were poor at times and not on the right side of some questionable decisions, but we regrouped and changed formation to suit the personnel we had. It was a game of two halves but it was just a little chaotic!”
It was a point that seemed highly unlikely as the visitors, Three Bridges, dominated the opening half and went into the break with a deserved two goal advantage.
Three Bridges were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead on 19 minutes. Hunt had made a great save, low to his right, pushing the ball away for a corner. But the reprieve was short lived as from the resultant corner, central defender Zak Byrne rose highest to head home.
The visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after a foul that allowed Connor Hayden-Pickering to strike the ball into the roof of the net, giving Hunt no chance.
The Angels, obviously responding to a flea in the ear during the break, had a more positive mindset in the second period with Kyler Barton seeing a shot deflected over the bar and Ashton Lucas frustrated by the Three Bridges goalkeeper.
Barton finally got just rewards for his endeavour as a fine through ball sent him clear to beat the advancing goalkeeper.
Three Bridges had chances to put the game to bed before Hunt’s heroics brought the game to its dramatic conclusion.
*Jimmy Glass scored an injury time goal for Carlisle United against Plymouth in 1999 that kept his side in the Football League.
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Barton 77 Hunt 90+6
Three Bridges U18 (2) 2 Byrne 19 Hayden-Pickering 39
Attendance: 56
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/879
It was Tonbridge Angels Jimmy Glass moment* (which for an Under-18 side is way beyond the dim and distant past).
The Angels U18’s had fought hard for an equaliser that appeared out of their reach as they earned a 96th minute corner. With nothing to lose, up came goalkeeper Jacob Hunt to add another body into the mix. The ball fell into a melee of bodies but was finally at the feet of Hunt who stabbed it home from six yards to spark joyous celebrations.
Dominic Welsh, who was short of four regular starters from which to choose his first competitive team of the season, commented after the game: “We were poor at times and not on the right side of some questionable decisions, but we regrouped and changed formation to suit the personnel we had. It was a game of two halves but it was just a little chaotic!”
It was a point that seemed highly unlikely as the visitors, Three Bridges, dominated the opening half and went into the break with a deserved two goal advantage.
Three Bridges were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead on 19 minutes. Hunt had made a great save, low to his right, pushing the ball away for a corner. But the reprieve was short lived as from the resultant corner, central defender Zak Byrne rose highest to head home.
The visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 39 minutes after a foul that allowed Connor Hayden-Pickering to strike the ball into the roof of the net, giving Hunt no chance.
The Angels, obviously responding to a flea in the ear during the break, had a more positive mindset in the second period with Kyler Barton seeing a shot deflected over the bar and Ashton Lucas frustrated by the Three Bridges goalkeeper.
Barton finally got just rewards for his endeavour as a fine through ball sent him clear to beat the advancing goalkeeper.
Three Bridges had chances to put the game to bed before Hunt’s heroics brought the game to its dramatic conclusion.
*Jimmy Glass scored an injury time goal for Carlisle United against Plymouth in 1999 that kept his side in the Football League.
AFC Totton 3 Tonbridge Angels 0
Match 13/25/2356 - Saturday, 16th August 2025 - National League South
AFC Totton (1) 3 Lee 41,50 Kasimu
Tonbridgge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,006
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 250/841
New Ground: 392
Tonbridge Angels had a disappointing first day on the road as they were soundly beaten by AFC Totton.
The home side celebrated their first ever home game in National League South and their success took them to pole position in the embryonic league table.
Craig Nelson responding to the question of accepting losing to the better team: “No, not at all. We didn’t make them work hard enough to score against us, but fair play they have taken their opportunities. But we didn’t do enough in front of their goal to warrant any points out of the game.”
It was a warm, sultry afternoon down in the New Forest and Craig Nelson made two changes from his opening day starting XI against Slough Town. Eddie Simon was unavailable so Martell Crossdale-Taylor was brought in to lead the line meanwhile Jack Matton started in the back line with Matthew Warren on the bench.
The first half was one of stalemate with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances, although the home side were dominant in terms of possession, until the 41st minute when a cross from the right from Ash Clarke found the head of Tony Lee who directed back across goal and into the opposite bottom corner.
The second period opened brighter for the Angels with Brody Peart bringing a low save out of Ryan Gosney in the first minute but, immediately after, Jacob Adams was making a similar save at the other end to deny Clarke.
Totton doubled their advantage after 50 minutes when a free kick was hooked backwards by Clarke for Lee to hit a glorious volley while the visitors appealed for offside in vain.
Tonbridge sought a way back into the game with Peart seeing a cross deflected over the bar; a Jack Matton effort that was also deflected over and after good pass from Marcus Sablier that ended with Scott Wagstaff being denied at his feet by Gosney, the ball switched to the other end for substitute Hisham Kasimu to convert an easy chance to make Totton’s historic day complete.
AFC Totton (1) 3 Lee 41,50 Kasimu
Tonbridgge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,006
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 250/841
New Ground: 392
Tonbridge Angels had a disappointing first day on the road as they were soundly beaten by AFC Totton.
The home side celebrated their first ever home game in National League South and their success took them to pole position in the embryonic league table.
Craig Nelson responding to the question of accepting losing to the better team: “No, not at all. We didn’t make them work hard enough to score against us, but fair play they have taken their opportunities. But we didn’t do enough in front of their goal to warrant any points out of the game.”
It was a warm, sultry afternoon down in the New Forest and Craig Nelson made two changes from his opening day starting XI against Slough Town. Eddie Simon was unavailable so Martell Crossdale-Taylor was brought in to lead the line meanwhile Jack Matton started in the back line with Matthew Warren on the bench.
The first half was one of stalemate with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances, although the home side were dominant in terms of possession, until the 41st minute when a cross from the right from Ash Clarke found the head of Tony Lee who directed back across goal and into the opposite bottom corner.
The second period opened brighter for the Angels with Brody Peart bringing a low save out of Ryan Gosney in the first minute but, immediately after, Jacob Adams was making a similar save at the other end to deny Clarke.
Totton doubled their advantage after 50 minutes when a free kick was hooked backwards by Clarke for Lee to hit a glorious volley while the visitors appealed for offside in vain.
Tonbridge sought a way back into the game with Peart seeing a cross deflected over the bar; a Jack Matton effort that was also deflected over and after good pass from Marcus Sablier that ended with Scott Wagstaff being denied at his feet by Gosney, the ball switched to the other end for substitute Hisham Kasimu to convert an easy chance to make Totton’s historic day complete.
Tonbridge Angels U18 6 Staplehurst Monarchs 1
Match 12/25/2355 - Monday, 11th August 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 6 Richardson 42,63 Lucas 70 Trialist 77 Bingham 82,90
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 1 49
Attendance: 36
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/591
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 6 Richardson 42,63 Lucas 70 Trialist 77 Bingham 82,90
Staplehurst Monarchs U23 (0) 1 49
Attendance: 36
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/591
Sunday, 10 August 2025
Tonbridge Angels 0 Slough Town 0
Match 11/25/2354 - Saturday, 9th August 2025 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Slough Town (0) 0
Attendance: 1,061
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/553
A banner unfurled by young supporters in front of the North Stand said it all, A New Era Begins.
Craig Nelson said of the atmosphere: “It was excellent, the young fans told me a couple of weeks ago that they were doing something for me and it was really breathtaking. I didn’t expect it, they wanted to celebrate a new beginning. I was really honoured and proud to step out and manage our first game, it was really humbling.”
It was a hot afternoon that greeted Pitts’ first competitive fixture, hot enough to warrant water breaks in each half, and an attendance in excess of four figures arrived with all the expectation that a new season brings.
Ultimately, the goalless draw against Slough Town might not have been the desired result but a resolute performance at the back brought a point against a side that were dominant in the match for long periods.
“Taking the positives out of the game, we were very good defensively, we didn’t fold under the pressure and we didn’t concede. So, a point and a clean sheet is something to build on, but none of the boys will be happy with the performance,” remarked Craig in his post-match interview.
Tonbridge began the game brightly with a move down the left side between Brandon Pierrick and Scott Wagstaff that opened up a sniff of a chance for Eddie Simon that was smothered.
Following the early raid on their goal, Slough settled into the game and, on six minutes, Jared Myers got free down the right and his shot across the face of goal rebounded off the far post. Three minutes later, the right hand post was also struck as Myers, a handful throughout the first half, pulled a pass back for ex-Angel Jordan Greenidge to find the woodwork from close range.
The visitors were dominating with Reiss Greenidge heading over from a corner before the first half drinks break brought an opportunity for Craig Nelson to get some instruction into his team and this almost brought instant reward as a fine move involving Marcus Sablier and Brody Peart ended with a Simon shot that was repelled by a Slough block with Jordan Higgs firing over the rebound.
Peart was now emerging as the Angels most dangerous outlet and another surge down the right and a laid back pass for Matt Warren whose cross was comfortably collected by Adam Desbois.
The visitors regained the momentum in the closing moment of the half with Jordan Greenidge tamely shooting at Jacob Adams, who calmly held on to the effort.
The half-time break saw the Angels with significantly more forward momentum but it remained Slough that were creating the better chances, no more so than just past the hour, when Jordan Greenidge fed with a pass from his brother Reiss, found himself at the near post, six yards out with only Adams to beat but he didn’t ask a question of the keeper as he shot wide.
Adams was asked a serious question though, on 69 minutes, when Jaiden Drakes-Thomas unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that was pushed to safety with a superb low save.
Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps the desire of both sides to avoid an opening day defeat, but the game rather petered out in the last 20 minutes that also brought the usual cluster of substitutions.
Craig reflected: “The boys did well in the second half, nullified their threats but we just needed to be better on the ball. If we were, we got into some nice spaces but that final bit of detail was just missing today. So if we get that right, there are loads of positives to take out of that because the boys are in the right areas, now it is just about the quality in those moments.”
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Slough Town (0) 0
Attendance: 1,061
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/553
A banner unfurled by young supporters in front of the North Stand said it all, A New Era Begins.
Craig Nelson said of the atmosphere: “It was excellent, the young fans told me a couple of weeks ago that they were doing something for me and it was really breathtaking. I didn’t expect it, they wanted to celebrate a new beginning. I was really honoured and proud to step out and manage our first game, it was really humbling.”
It was a hot afternoon that greeted Pitts’ first competitive fixture, hot enough to warrant water breaks in each half, and an attendance in excess of four figures arrived with all the expectation that a new season brings.
Ultimately, the goalless draw against Slough Town might not have been the desired result but a resolute performance at the back brought a point against a side that were dominant in the match for long periods.
“Taking the positives out of the game, we were very good defensively, we didn’t fold under the pressure and we didn’t concede. So, a point and a clean sheet is something to build on, but none of the boys will be happy with the performance,” remarked Craig in his post-match interview.
Tonbridge began the game brightly with a move down the left side between Brandon Pierrick and Scott Wagstaff that opened up a sniff of a chance for Eddie Simon that was smothered.
Following the early raid on their goal, Slough settled into the game and, on six minutes, Jared Myers got free down the right and his shot across the face of goal rebounded off the far post. Three minutes later, the right hand post was also struck as Myers, a handful throughout the first half, pulled a pass back for ex-Angel Jordan Greenidge to find the woodwork from close range.
The visitors were dominating with Reiss Greenidge heading over from a corner before the first half drinks break brought an opportunity for Craig Nelson to get some instruction into his team and this almost brought instant reward as a fine move involving Marcus Sablier and Brody Peart ended with a Simon shot that was repelled by a Slough block with Jordan Higgs firing over the rebound.
Peart was now emerging as the Angels most dangerous outlet and another surge down the right and a laid back pass for Matt Warren whose cross was comfortably collected by Adam Desbois.
The visitors regained the momentum in the closing moment of the half with Jordan Greenidge tamely shooting at Jacob Adams, who calmly held on to the effort.
The half-time break saw the Angels with significantly more forward momentum but it remained Slough that were creating the better chances, no more so than just past the hour, when Jordan Greenidge fed with a pass from his brother Reiss, found himself at the near post, six yards out with only Adams to beat but he didn’t ask a question of the keeper as he shot wide.
Adams was asked a serious question though, on 69 minutes, when Jaiden Drakes-Thomas unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that was pushed to safety with a superb low save.
Perhaps it was the heat, perhaps the desire of both sides to avoid an opening day defeat, but the game rather petered out in the last 20 minutes that also brought the usual cluster of substitutions.
Craig reflected: “The boys did well in the second half, nullified their threats but we just needed to be better on the ball. If we were, we got into some nice spaces but that final bit of detail was just missing today. So if we get that right, there are loads of positives to take out of that because the boys are in the right areas, now it is just about the quality in those moments.”
Monday, 4 August 2025
Tonbridge Angels 1 Kingstonian 0
Match 10/25/2353 - Saturday, 2nd August 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Higgs 29
Kingstonian (0) 0
Attendance: 311
Admission: £7
Mileage: 38/515
Tonbridge Angels ended their pre-season campaign with a single goal win against Kingstonian at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
A Jordan Higgs goal, on 29 minutes, proved enough but the Angels will reflect on a total of 17 attempts on goal that should have brought a greater margin of victory.
Much speculation among the attendance of 311 would have been around how close to next Saturday’s opening National League South line-up was Craig Nelson’s starting XI, for that we have to wait and see, but the first half brought a fluent performance that only lacked better finishing.
In the sixth minute, Kingstonian’s goalkeeper Liam Allen was pressed into action saving from Brody Peart and within seconds he was denying Brandon Pierrick, who had been set up by a sublime flick from Marcus Sablier.
When twice in the space of three minutes the ball smacked against an upright, it started to become clear how the afternoon would unfold. An 11th minute free kick from Bailey Akehurst hit the right hand post and, after a great interchange between the Wagstaff and Peart, the latter’s effort struck the left hand woodwork.
The chances continued to come and go before the Angels finally opened the scoring when Sablier lofted a ball forward for Higgs to run onto and despatch into the bottom corner.
The home side continued to dominate, creating chances almost at will, whilst in the Angels goal, Jacob Adams was barely troubled. With Peart giving his marker a torrid time down the right further opportunities fell to Higgs, Sablier and a Bradley Williams header from a corner but, at the break, the single goal lead remained.
Mass substitutions, and a marked improvement from Kingstonian, saw some of the momentum of the opening half diminish but Peart continued to create havoc bringing another good save from Allen.
Bumni Babajide was through on goal after 70 minutes but Allen was equal to his effort deflecting the ball to safety and, five minutes later, the Angels suffered a big scare when a free kick lofted into the area brought a scramble and couple of blocked shots.
So, chances aplenty but only one goal that proved enough, Craig Nelson said of the performance in his post-match interview: “I’m really happy with the way the boys applied themselves, particularly in the first half they were excellent. They’ve learnt a lot in pre-season and it is starting to come together. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed that we didn’t score more goals, but it will come. They are in the right areas, doing the right things and replicating what we have asked them. But we could have had a couple more for sure and put the game to bed.”
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Higgs 29
Kingstonian (0) 0
Attendance: 311
Admission: £7
Mileage: 38/515
Tonbridge Angels ended their pre-season campaign with a single goal win against Kingstonian at the Yeomans Community Stadium.
A Jordan Higgs goal, on 29 minutes, proved enough but the Angels will reflect on a total of 17 attempts on goal that should have brought a greater margin of victory.
Much speculation among the attendance of 311 would have been around how close to next Saturday’s opening National League South line-up was Craig Nelson’s starting XI, for that we have to wait and see, but the first half brought a fluent performance that only lacked better finishing.
In the sixth minute, Kingstonian’s goalkeeper Liam Allen was pressed into action saving from Brody Peart and within seconds he was denying Brandon Pierrick, who had been set up by a sublime flick from Marcus Sablier.
When twice in the space of three minutes the ball smacked against an upright, it started to become clear how the afternoon would unfold. An 11th minute free kick from Bailey Akehurst hit the right hand post and, after a great interchange between the Wagstaff and Peart, the latter’s effort struck the left hand woodwork.
The chances continued to come and go before the Angels finally opened the scoring when Sablier lofted a ball forward for Higgs to run onto and despatch into the bottom corner.
The home side continued to dominate, creating chances almost at will, whilst in the Angels goal, Jacob Adams was barely troubled. With Peart giving his marker a torrid time down the right further opportunities fell to Higgs, Sablier and a Bradley Williams header from a corner but, at the break, the single goal lead remained.
Mass substitutions, and a marked improvement from Kingstonian, saw some of the momentum of the opening half diminish but Peart continued to create havoc bringing another good save from Allen.
Bumni Babajide was through on goal after 70 minutes but Allen was equal to his effort deflecting the ball to safety and, five minutes later, the Angels suffered a big scare when a free kick lofted into the area brought a scramble and couple of blocked shots.
So, chances aplenty but only one goal that proved enough, Craig Nelson said of the performance in his post-match interview: “I’m really happy with the way the boys applied themselves, particularly in the first half they were excellent. They’ve learnt a lot in pre-season and it is starting to come together. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed that we didn’t score more goals, but it will come. They are in the right areas, doing the right things and replicating what we have asked them. But we could have had a couple more for sure and put the game to bed.”
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Tonbridge Angels 2 Lewes 1
Match 9/25/2352 - Tuesday, 29th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Babajide 7 Unwin 41
Lewes (1) 1 Asiedu 1
Attendance: 249
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/477
Tonbridge Angels got back to winning ways at the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Craig Nelson’s ex-charges, Lewes.
Looking to end a three game spell without a pre-season win, the Angels got off to an inauspicious start going behind in just 47 seconds to a cross-cum-shot from Clement Asiedu, that somehow nestled into the net to the bemusement of everybody from goalkeeper, Jacob Adams to the gathered attendance. The home side hit back lead at half-time with goals from Bunmi Babajide and Bobby Unwin.
Craig reflected on the performance: “The win was important for the team, they want to win every game but it meant a little bit more because of recent performances. After the start and the goal, they didn’t drop their heads.”
On a coolish evening, the manager shuffled his pack to give some extended minutes to some of his squad including formerly unnamed trialists, Antonio Morgan, Ben Mundele and Jamie Watson.
After the initial first minute shock, lightning very near struck twice as another cross-cum-shot from Ryan Berdal this time nestled on the top of Adams’ goal.
Tonbridge settled into the game and were level on seven minutes when a driving run from Morgan was rewarded when his cross was laid back by Unwin for Babajide to turn home from around eight yards.
Unwin was involved again, two minutes later, when his cushioned header fell at the feet of Academy player, Mackenzie Richardson, but the youngster’s shot cleared the bar.
Lewes were playing some decent football themselves and Mundele had to be at his best with a saving challenge and ex-Angels youth team player, Devonte West saw his shot narrowly go narrowly over the bar.
Tonbridge took a deserved lead into the break with a goal after 41 minutes. A corner led to an initial shot being blocked with the rebound falling to Unwin who finished nicely with a shot in, off the far post.
The home side dominated the second period without adding to the scoreline, but not without trying as an effort from Eddie Simon, from around 25 yards, smacked against the crossbar. A well-worked interchange between Brandon Pierrick and Simon ended with the goalkeeper smothered the former’s shot and a late header from Simon that went over the bar.
Craig reflected in his post-match interview: “We need to be better when we’ve got the ball and that will allow us to get a foothold in the game. We have had a defensive unit week, that’s what we have been working on and we limited them to next to nothing in terms of chances.”
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Babajide 7 Unwin 41
Lewes (1) 1 Asiedu 1
Attendance: 249
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/477
Tonbridge Angels got back to winning ways at the Yeomans Community Stadium on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Craig Nelson’s ex-charges, Lewes.
Looking to end a three game spell without a pre-season win, the Angels got off to an inauspicious start going behind in just 47 seconds to a cross-cum-shot from Clement Asiedu, that somehow nestled into the net to the bemusement of everybody from goalkeeper, Jacob Adams to the gathered attendance. The home side hit back lead at half-time with goals from Bunmi Babajide and Bobby Unwin.
Craig reflected on the performance: “The win was important for the team, they want to win every game but it meant a little bit more because of recent performances. After the start and the goal, they didn’t drop their heads.”
On a coolish evening, the manager shuffled his pack to give some extended minutes to some of his squad including formerly unnamed trialists, Antonio Morgan, Ben Mundele and Jamie Watson.
After the initial first minute shock, lightning very near struck twice as another cross-cum-shot from Ryan Berdal this time nestled on the top of Adams’ goal.
Tonbridge settled into the game and were level on seven minutes when a driving run from Morgan was rewarded when his cross was laid back by Unwin for Babajide to turn home from around eight yards.
Unwin was involved again, two minutes later, when his cushioned header fell at the feet of Academy player, Mackenzie Richardson, but the youngster’s shot cleared the bar.
Lewes were playing some decent football themselves and Mundele had to be at his best with a saving challenge and ex-Angels youth team player, Devonte West saw his shot narrowly go narrowly over the bar.
Tonbridge took a deserved lead into the break with a goal after 41 minutes. A corner led to an initial shot being blocked with the rebound falling to Unwin who finished nicely with a shot in, off the far post.
The home side dominated the second period without adding to the scoreline, but not without trying as an effort from Eddie Simon, from around 25 yards, smacked against the crossbar. A well-worked interchange between Brandon Pierrick and Simon ended with the goalkeeper smothered the former’s shot and a late header from Simon that went over the bar.
Craig reflected in his post-match interview: “We need to be better when we’ve got the ball and that will allow us to get a foothold in the game. We have had a defensive unit week, that’s what we have been working on and we limited them to next to nothing in terms of chances.”
Tonbridge Angels U15 2 Cheshunt U15 4
Match 8/25/2351 - Sunday, 27th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels U15 (0) 2
Cheshunt U15 (2) 4
Headcount: 50
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/439
Tonbridge Angels U15 (0) 2
Cheshunt U15 (2) 4
Headcount: 50
Admission: Free
Mileage: 38/439
Tonbridge Angels 0 Folkestone Invicta 0
Match 7/25/2350 - Saturday, 26th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Folkestone Invicta (0) 0
Attendance: 360
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/401
Tonbridge Angels and Folkestone Invicta drew a blank at the Yeomans Community Stadium this afternoon after an afternoon of profligate finishing from both sides.
Jay Saunders included Mikey Berry, Jake Hutchinson, Liam Smith in his Invicta side, but the afternoon had a sad ending for Jeremy Santos who was stretchered off after just 14 minutes on the pitch as a 56th minute substitute. Both sets of supporters showed their sympathy for a popular player that has had terrible misfortune with injury in recent times.
Craig Nelson continued to build the minutes into his squad with Jacob Adams, Nazir Bakrin and Scott Wagstaff turning in a full 90 minutes.
On a muggy afternoon that presented a couple of first half showers, it was the visitors that had the opening opportunity after three minutes when Hutchinson latched onto a long ball from the goalkeeper to lob it over the head of the advancing Adams but was unable to convert as he attempted to head home as the angle narrowed.
Brody Peart fired over before the Angels lost Marcus Sablier to a back injury on 24 minutes after being clattered from behind earlier.
Tonbridge were thankful to Bakrin for a superb last ditch challenge just before the half-hour and five minutes before the break a strike from 25 yards from Montel Mackenzie smacked against the Angels crossbar.
The home side’s best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when Adams sent Peart away down the right with a well placed kick. Peart’s cross found the trialist forward but his shot was deflected to safety.
At the start of the second half, Marcel McIntosh, Bradley Williams, Alfie Allen and Eddie Simon were introduced for Jordan Higgs, Jack Matton, Peart and Matty Warren.
The Angels improved in the second period, chances fell the way of Bunmi Babajide and the trialist whilst Invicta were being limited to little going forward.
A clever free kick routine between Bailey Akehurst and the trialist saw the latter fire narrowly over and another Akehurst free kick saw a clearance rebound off Bakrin but the ball cleared the bar.
Craig Nelson said in his post-match interview: “I don’t think we were good enough today. Second half was much better than the first, the way we want to play is to draw in pressure and they gave us loads of pressure and I don’t think the quality was good enough and not the standard we expect and what the boys have been showing us over the last couple of weeks, so wholly disappointed in the first half performance, we were better in the second half but we didn’t do enough to deserve anything from it and we need to do better than that.”
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Folkestone Invicta (0) 0
Attendance: 360
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/401
Tonbridge Angels and Folkestone Invicta drew a blank at the Yeomans Community Stadium this afternoon after an afternoon of profligate finishing from both sides.
Jay Saunders included Mikey Berry, Jake Hutchinson, Liam Smith in his Invicta side, but the afternoon had a sad ending for Jeremy Santos who was stretchered off after just 14 minutes on the pitch as a 56th minute substitute. Both sets of supporters showed their sympathy for a popular player that has had terrible misfortune with injury in recent times.
Craig Nelson continued to build the minutes into his squad with Jacob Adams, Nazir Bakrin and Scott Wagstaff turning in a full 90 minutes.
On a muggy afternoon that presented a couple of first half showers, it was the visitors that had the opening opportunity after three minutes when Hutchinson latched onto a long ball from the goalkeeper to lob it over the head of the advancing Adams but was unable to convert as he attempted to head home as the angle narrowed.
Brody Peart fired over before the Angels lost Marcus Sablier to a back injury on 24 minutes after being clattered from behind earlier.
Tonbridge were thankful to Bakrin for a superb last ditch challenge just before the half-hour and five minutes before the break a strike from 25 yards from Montel Mackenzie smacked against the Angels crossbar.
The home side’s best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when Adams sent Peart away down the right with a well placed kick. Peart’s cross found the trialist forward but his shot was deflected to safety.
At the start of the second half, Marcel McIntosh, Bradley Williams, Alfie Allen and Eddie Simon were introduced for Jordan Higgs, Jack Matton, Peart and Matty Warren.
The Angels improved in the second period, chances fell the way of Bunmi Babajide and the trialist whilst Invicta were being limited to little going forward.
A clever free kick routine between Bailey Akehurst and the trialist saw the latter fire narrowly over and another Akehurst free kick saw a clearance rebound off Bakrin but the ball cleared the bar.
Craig Nelson said in his post-match interview: “I don’t think we were good enough today. Second half was much better than the first, the way we want to play is to draw in pressure and they gave us loads of pressure and I don’t think the quality was good enough and not the standard we expect and what the boys have been showing us over the last couple of weeks, so wholly disappointed in the first half performance, we were better in the second half but we didn’t do enough to deserve anything from it and we need to do better than that.”
Friday, 25 July 2025
Aylesford 3 Tonbridge Angels U18 3
Match 6/25/2349 - Wednesday, 23th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Aylesford (1) 3
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Trialist 20 Honivar 50 Barton 70
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Mileage: 25/363
New Ground: 391
Aylesford (1) 3
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Trialist 20 Honivar 50 Barton 70
Headcount: 40
Admission: Free
Mileage: 25/363
New Ground: 391
Sunday, 20 July 2025
Leatherhead 2 Tonbridge Angels 2
Match 5/25/2348 - Saturday, 19th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Leatherhead (1) 2 Akinnibi 11 Hedley 79
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Peart 2 Simon 5
Attendance: 254
Admission: £3
Mileage: 104/328
The Angels surrendered their 100% pre-season record at Leatherhead despite going two goals ahead within the first five minutes.
Brody Peart and Eddie Simon got the visitors off to a flying start before the home side got a 80th minute goal to earn a deserved draw as Tonbridge became disjointed following wholesale second half substitutes.
Craig Nelson on the second half performance: “The boys were not up to speed with the game to execute anything of note, saying that we had one blocked on the line and another from which we should have scored, so we could have been 4-1 up before they scored. But, it is damning from the way we conceded, we don’t get first, second or third contact from the throw. Preventable, but happy with the first half but the boys will tell you they needed to be better in the second.”
It seems crazy that in July, after the intense heat that the south-east has had, that a pitch inspection might be needed but after a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain, one was made before the game was given the go-ahead.
Craig picked a strong first half team with just a couple of trialists and, on what appeared a lush, green grass pitch, they opened up the Leatherhead defence with only two minutes on the clock when a through ball from Marcus Sablier sent Peart clear to slot past the advancing goalkeeper, Sonny Wheeler.
When Peart turned provider, supplying a right wing cross for Simon to turn home, the Angels looked to be already in cruise control, but, following a defensive mistake that allowed Kareem Akinnibi a run on goal and finish into the bottom corner, the game was once more a contest.
Tonbridge continued to play positive, attractive football and chances came for Bradley Williams, who shot narrowly over and, after 18 minutes, Peart brought a very good save out of Wheeler from a 20-yard free kick.
At the end of a half that had been completely dominated by the Angels, having seen further opportunities for Brandon Pierrick, Jordan Higgs, Peart and Williams, they would have been disappointed to go into the break just a goal to the good.
Although the fluidity of the first half performance had been lost due to the multitude of substitutions, it was still the visitors that were dominating the game and, on 70 minutes, it was a case of “how did that not go in” as the Tanners’ defenders threw bodies in front of the ball to eventually clear from the line.
Ten minutes from time, as Leatherhead has seized the momentum, a long throw into the box was poorly dealt with and the ball eventually fell to George Hedley who drove the ball home following a good, parrying save from substitute goalkeeper, Alexander Dubov.
A late, instinctive header following a free kick from Mackenzie Richardson saw the goalkeeper turn the ball over the bar, but the Angels had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Leatherhead (1) 2 Akinnibi 11 Hedley 79
Tonbridge Angels (2) 2 Peart 2 Simon 5
Attendance: 254
Admission: £3
Mileage: 104/328
The Angels surrendered their 100% pre-season record at Leatherhead despite going two goals ahead within the first five minutes.
Brody Peart and Eddie Simon got the visitors off to a flying start before the home side got a 80th minute goal to earn a deserved draw as Tonbridge became disjointed following wholesale second half substitutes.
Craig Nelson on the second half performance: “The boys were not up to speed with the game to execute anything of note, saying that we had one blocked on the line and another from which we should have scored, so we could have been 4-1 up before they scored. But, it is damning from the way we conceded, we don’t get first, second or third contact from the throw. Preventable, but happy with the first half but the boys will tell you they needed to be better in the second.”
It seems crazy that in July, after the intense heat that the south-east has had, that a pitch inspection might be needed but after a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain, one was made before the game was given the go-ahead.
Craig picked a strong first half team with just a couple of trialists and, on what appeared a lush, green grass pitch, they opened up the Leatherhead defence with only two minutes on the clock when a through ball from Marcus Sablier sent Peart clear to slot past the advancing goalkeeper, Sonny Wheeler.
When Peart turned provider, supplying a right wing cross for Simon to turn home, the Angels looked to be already in cruise control, but, following a defensive mistake that allowed Kareem Akinnibi a run on goal and finish into the bottom corner, the game was once more a contest.
Tonbridge continued to play positive, attractive football and chances came for Bradley Williams, who shot narrowly over and, after 18 minutes, Peart brought a very good save out of Wheeler from a 20-yard free kick.
At the end of a half that had been completely dominated by the Angels, having seen further opportunities for Brandon Pierrick, Jordan Higgs, Peart and Williams, they would have been disappointed to go into the break just a goal to the good.
Although the fluidity of the first half performance had been lost due to the multitude of substitutions, it was still the visitors that were dominating the game and, on 70 minutes, it was a case of “how did that not go in” as the Tanners’ defenders threw bodies in front of the ball to eventually clear from the line.
Ten minutes from time, as Leatherhead has seized the momentum, a long throw into the box was poorly dealt with and the ball eventually fell to George Hedley who drove the ball home following a good, parrying save from substitute goalkeeper, Alexander Dubov.
A late, instinctive header following a free kick from Mackenzie Richardson saw the goalkeeper turn the ball over the bar, but the Angels had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Tonbridge Angels 1 Bracknell Town 0
Match 4/25/2347 - Tuesday, 15th July 2025 - Pre-Season Friendly
Tonbridge Angels (1) 0 Babajide 40
Bracknell Town (0) 0
Attendance: 159
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/224
Craig Nelson’s troops emerged from their toughest workout so far this preseason with a single goal win over Bracknell Town, courtesy of a 40th minute goal from Bumni Babajide.
Craig commented in his post-match interview: “I knew from meeting them last season that they would be tough opposition and, credit to them, they were competitive from minute one to the end and it was just what we needed. I would have liked to have played them closer to the season because they were a good side, gave us a good test but we stood the test really well for large parts of the game. They pressed us aggressively in the second half, which was good. When we made the mass changes they game swung in their favour, but all-in-all a good workout for the boys.”
On a cooler evening than of late, Craig maintained his first half side into the second period, giving several players their first full hour of preseason.
The opening opportunity of the match was created by the Angels when Bradley Williams cross from the right was met with a driven shot from the edge of the box from Jordan Higgs that struck the right hand post.
The game was highly competitive with a few robust challenges that brought a wag of the finger from the referee, before Bracknell came into the game with a last ditch challenge from Naz Bakrin denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Tonbridge opened the scoring on 40 minutes when new signing Brandon Pierrick pulled the ball back from the left for Babajide to coolly finish from around 12 yards.
Bracknell pressed hard for an equaliser from the outset of the second half with Jordan Esprit firing a shot that cleared the bar when well placed and, just over the hour mark, a trialist struck the Angels bar.
The visitors continued to make chances, but were wasteful with their finishing whilst an Angels trialist crossed for Mackenzie Richardson to head goal wards only to see the ball cleared from the line.
A long delay in the game whilst a Bracknell player received attention saw the game into seven minutes of time added and, in that time, the visitors had further chances to salvage something from the game but they went begging.
Craig said of his recruitment that they “were almost there” with perhaps only a defender to add to the squad alongside any of the trialists that could be signed in the coming days.
Tonbridge Angels (1) 0 Babajide 40
Bracknell Town (0) 0
Attendance: 159
Admission: £10
Mileage: 38/224
Craig Nelson’s troops emerged from their toughest workout so far this preseason with a single goal win over Bracknell Town, courtesy of a 40th minute goal from Bumni Babajide.
Craig commented in his post-match interview: “I knew from meeting them last season that they would be tough opposition and, credit to them, they were competitive from minute one to the end and it was just what we needed. I would have liked to have played them closer to the season because they were a good side, gave us a good test but we stood the test really well for large parts of the game. They pressed us aggressively in the second half, which was good. When we made the mass changes they game swung in their favour, but all-in-all a good workout for the boys.”
On a cooler evening than of late, Craig maintained his first half side into the second period, giving several players their first full hour of preseason.
The opening opportunity of the match was created by the Angels when Bradley Williams cross from the right was met with a driven shot from the edge of the box from Jordan Higgs that struck the right hand post.
The game was highly competitive with a few robust challenges that brought a wag of the finger from the referee, before Bracknell came into the game with a last ditch challenge from Naz Bakrin denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Tonbridge opened the scoring on 40 minutes when new signing Brandon Pierrick pulled the ball back from the left for Babajide to coolly finish from around 12 yards.
Bracknell pressed hard for an equaliser from the outset of the second half with Jordan Esprit firing a shot that cleared the bar when well placed and, just over the hour mark, a trialist struck the Angels bar.
The visitors continued to make chances, but were wasteful with their finishing whilst an Angels trialist crossed for Mackenzie Richardson to head goal wards only to see the ball cleared from the line.
A long delay in the game whilst a Bracknell player received attention saw the game into seven minutes of time added and, in that time, the visitors had further chances to salvage something from the game but they went begging.
Craig said of his recruitment that they “were almost there” with perhaps only a defender to add to the squad alongside any of the trialists that could be signed in the coming days.
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