Match 32/25/2375 - Wednesday, 29th September 2025 - FA Youth Cup First Round
Merstham U18 (2) 6
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 1 Wallace
Attendance: 250
Admission: £2
Mileage: 38/2,093
Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s run to the FA Youth Cup First Round, for the first time in 21 years, came to a shuddering halt at Merstham with a comprehensive defeat.
Merstham, who last season reached the Fourth Round, earning a trip to Stamford Bridge, had a bit too much for the Angels, who nonetheless contributed to their own downfall, uncharacteristically defending poorly on the night.
At times, the quality that the hosts displayed were testament to their identity as a Volenti Academy team and part of the Crystal Palace development programme, shone through and when the Angels went behind after just three minutes when a cross from the right was stabbed home by Tojayo Dada, the game was to be an uphill battle from that moment.
The Angels lads battled hard to get themselves back into the game, hitting both the post and the crossbar, but their momentum was further set-back on 28 minutes when Marley Sablier scored from close range.
Tonbridge further cursed their luck when they had a goal disallowed for a somewhat dubious offside decision.
Into the second period, the third goal was always going to be the important one, Fiachra Pritchard fired over and a couple of corners were won, but it was the home side that found the goal on 58 minutes when a long ball forward split the defence allowing Kobe Frazer to finish clinically past the advancing Jacob Hunt.
The Angels continued to press hard with Mackenzie Richardson bringing a save from the goalkeeper, but they were caught on the break again, as Sablier latched onto a defensive error to finish into the bottom corner and effectively close out the game on 65 minutes.
Logan Wallace pulled a goal back to offer the briefest of hope of a comeback before a well-worked goal made it 5-1.
Frazer made the scoreline a harsh 6-1 with a smart finish, capitalising on a poor clearance.
Despite its unfortunate ending, the Under-18’s should take great pride in their run that took them past Cray Wanderers, Hollands & Blair and Welling United.
Dom Welsh said afterwards: “A really difficult one to take tonight, I actually feel we didn’t play as badly as the score suggests. We made too many basic errors in key moments. We hit the bar twice, and had a goal disallowed at a crucial moment in the game. One thing’s for sure it’s been a fantastic run to get to the first round, something that’s not been achieved in a very long time and I am very proud of the boys for doing so.”