Tonbridge Angels 1 Boreham Wood 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maidstone United 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staplehurst Monarchs 2 Meridian VP 0

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

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

Tonbridge Angels 0 Hornchurch 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hollands & Blair Women 2 Tonbridge Angels Women 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weston=super-Mare A-A Tonbridge Angels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday 2 Walnut Wanderers 2

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

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

Staplehurst Monarchs Sunday 1 Sands United 0

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

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

Tonbridge Angels 1 Farnborough 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gillingham 1 Colchester United 1

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

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

Match Report