Match 28/25/2371 - Thursday, 2nd October 2025 - FA Youth Cup 2QR
Hollands and Blair U18 (0) 2
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 3
Attendance: 80
Admission: £2
Mileage: 36/1,979
Friday, 10 October 2025
Tonbridge Angels 4 Sittingbourne 1
Match 30/25/2373 - Tuesday, 7th September 2025 - Kent Senior Cup 2R
Tonbridge Angels (2) 4 Simon 22 (pen),25,55 Babajide 78
Sittingbourne (1) 1 Salako 43
Attendance: 239
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/2,055
Tonbridge Angels eased their way into the Kent Senior Cup Third Round with a comfortable win over a spirited Sittingbourne side.
A hat-trick for Eddie Simon paved the way, although a Sittingbourne goal just before the break left the game still in the balance.
Alan Dunne gave several players valuable minutes whilst resting others. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley and Antonio Morgan were given debuts whilst Mackenzie Richardson, Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Jack Matton made first starts under the new gaffer.
The home dominated the proceedings from the outset with the Sittingbourne goalkeeper, Joe Osaghae saving from Taylor-Crossdale, Bradley Williams and Simon.
The breakthrough came on 22 minutes when Simon converted from the penalty spot after Brandon Pierrick had been brought down.
The Angels quickly doubled their lead, three minutes later, when Bobby Unwin cut in from the right before pulling the ball back from the bye-line for Simon to score from close range between Osaghae and his near post.
Sittingbourne produced a spirited conclusion to the first half with Michael Salako lobbing over the bar; Ivan Balliu shooting wide before Salako pulled a goal back, tucking home the rebound after a shot from Balliu came back from the post and when a poor pass was intercepted leaving Emmanuel Robe to shoot wildly over the bar, perhaps a few alarm bells were ringing.
Jordan Higgs and Naz Bakrin were introduced immediately after the break for Richardson and Arthur Penney as the Angels seized back control of the game and restored their two goal advantage on 55 minutes with a well-worked goal that involved Marcus Sablier and Pierrick who crossed to the far post for Simon to poach his hat-trick goal.
On 78 minutes, a through ball from Taylor-Crossdale was helped into the path of Bunmi Babajide by Luke Woodward who scored past the advancing Osaghae.
Larry McAvoy, taking the post-match interview, commented: “It was a great opportunity for five or six of the boys who haven’t been playing regularly, haven’t got as many minutes as they would have wanted for them to show the manager what they can do. We know, if we are going to be successful this season, we are going to need 18 players. The atmosphere in the dressing room is great, winning again, scoring goals, so tonight we need to maximise what we got out of it and we did that.”
Simon, whose hat-trick was the first by a Tonbridge player since Chinedu McKenzie’s against Harlow in April 2019, added: “Bobby and Brandon put them on a plate for me. I just want to do the same things, over and over, getting myself in the box and hope that another chance comes along. A hat-trick is always nice, I’ve had two goals twice this season, so I wanted to get the third, delighted to have got it.”
Tonbridge Angels (2) 4 Simon 22 (pen),25,55 Babajide 78
Sittingbourne (1) 1 Salako 43
Attendance: 239
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 38/2,055
Tonbridge Angels eased their way into the Kent Senior Cup Third Round with a comfortable win over a spirited Sittingbourne side.
A hat-trick for Eddie Simon paved the way, although a Sittingbourne goal just before the break left the game still in the balance.
Alan Dunne gave several players valuable minutes whilst resting others. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley and Antonio Morgan were given debuts whilst Mackenzie Richardson, Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Jack Matton made first starts under the new gaffer.
The home dominated the proceedings from the outset with the Sittingbourne goalkeeper, Joe Osaghae saving from Taylor-Crossdale, Bradley Williams and Simon.
The breakthrough came on 22 minutes when Simon converted from the penalty spot after Brandon Pierrick had been brought down.
The Angels quickly doubled their lead, three minutes later, when Bobby Unwin cut in from the right before pulling the ball back from the bye-line for Simon to score from close range between Osaghae and his near post.
Sittingbourne produced a spirited conclusion to the first half with Michael Salako lobbing over the bar; Ivan Balliu shooting wide before Salako pulled a goal back, tucking home the rebound after a shot from Balliu came back from the post and when a poor pass was intercepted leaving Emmanuel Robe to shoot wildly over the bar, perhaps a few alarm bells were ringing.
Jordan Higgs and Naz Bakrin were introduced immediately after the break for Richardson and Arthur Penney as the Angels seized back control of the game and restored their two goal advantage on 55 minutes with a well-worked goal that involved Marcus Sablier and Pierrick who crossed to the far post for Simon to poach his hat-trick goal.
On 78 minutes, a through ball from Taylor-Crossdale was helped into the path of Bunmi Babajide by Luke Woodward who scored past the advancing Osaghae.
Larry McAvoy, taking the post-match interview, commented: “It was a great opportunity for five or six of the boys who haven’t been playing regularly, haven’t got as many minutes as they would have wanted for them to show the manager what they can do. We know, if we are going to be successful this season, we are going to need 18 players. The atmosphere in the dressing room is great, winning again, scoring goals, so tonight we need to maximise what we got out of it and we did that.”
Simon, whose hat-trick was the first by a Tonbridge player since Chinedu McKenzie’s against Harlow in April 2019, added: “Bobby and Brandon put them on a plate for me. I just want to do the same things, over and over, getting myself in the box and hope that another chance comes along. A hat-trick is always nice, I’ve had two goals twice this season, so I wanted to get the third, delighted to have got it.”
Tonbridge Angels 2 Dover Athletic 1
Match 29/25/2372 - Saturday, 4th September 2025 - National League South
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Wagstaff 49 Peart 57
Dover Athletic (1) 1 Jones 24
Attendance: 1,250
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/2,017
A brave, tactical decision from manager, Alan Dunne, at the half-time break turned this entertaining Kent derby in the Angels favour after going into the break with a single goal deficit.
Dunney explained in his post-match interview: “I had to change it, take a defender off and be a little more attacking, braver and I was really pleased with the reaction in the second half, there was only one team in it and it showed me, that as a group, we can go a goal down, react and change.”
The Angels manager made one change from Tuesday’s cup replay starting XI with Matty Warren unfit, Scott Wagstaff returned.
Dover Athletic went into the break with their lead courtesy of a 24th minute goal from Jalen Jones, who swept home a shot into the top corner from the right hand angle of six yard box after a Fuad Sesay cross.
In a tight first half, the Angels undoing had been either the lack of a final pass or the passing up of shooting opportunities which led to Dover’s goalkeeper, Mitch Walker, being barely tested.
In first half added time, ex-Angel Ruben Soares-Junior weaved his way into the box before delivering his shot that was brilliantly pushed to safety by Jacob Adams.
Dunney made an immediate substitution after the break introducing Brody Peart for defender Sam German and the more attack-minded structure brought an early dividend as Bailey Akehurst fired in a low shot that Walker could only parry into the path of Scott Wagstaff who, reacting quickest to the loose ball, made no mistake from close range.
Eight minutes later, the Angels hit the front with a well-worked team goal that saw Bunmi Babajide and Marcus Sablier combine before Akehurst crossed across the face of goal for Peart to arrive at the far post to bury his shot into the bottom corner.
Tonbridge dominated the second period, seeing good chances for Sablier and Simon sent wide while their visitors were unable to open up any opportunities leaving the Angels seeing out the game in relative comfort.
Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Wagstaff 49 Peart 57
Dover Athletic (1) 1 Jones 24
Attendance: 1,250
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/2,017
A brave, tactical decision from manager, Alan Dunne, at the half-time break turned this entertaining Kent derby in the Angels favour after going into the break with a single goal deficit.
Dunney explained in his post-match interview: “I had to change it, take a defender off and be a little more attacking, braver and I was really pleased with the reaction in the second half, there was only one team in it and it showed me, that as a group, we can go a goal down, react and change.”
The Angels manager made one change from Tuesday’s cup replay starting XI with Matty Warren unfit, Scott Wagstaff returned.
Dover Athletic went into the break with their lead courtesy of a 24th minute goal from Jalen Jones, who swept home a shot into the top corner from the right hand angle of six yard box after a Fuad Sesay cross.
In a tight first half, the Angels undoing had been either the lack of a final pass or the passing up of shooting opportunities which led to Dover’s goalkeeper, Mitch Walker, being barely tested.
In first half added time, ex-Angel Ruben Soares-Junior weaved his way into the box before delivering his shot that was brilliantly pushed to safety by Jacob Adams.
Dunney made an immediate substitution after the break introducing Brody Peart for defender Sam German and the more attack-minded structure brought an early dividend as Bailey Akehurst fired in a low shot that Walker could only parry into the path of Scott Wagstaff who, reacting quickest to the loose ball, made no mistake from close range.
Eight minutes later, the Angels hit the front with a well-worked team goal that saw Bunmi Babajide and Marcus Sablier combine before Akehurst crossed across the face of goal for Peart to arrive at the far post to bury his shot into the bottom corner.
Tonbridge dominated the second period, seeing good chances for Sablier and Simon sent wide while their visitors were unable to open up any opportunities leaving the Angels seeing out the game in relative comfort.
Picture: David Couldridge
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Tonbridge Angels 5 Cray Valley PM 0
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.”
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.”
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