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.”
Monday, 29 September 2025
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.”
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