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.”