Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 1 Fincham 41
Cray Wanderers (0) 0
Headcount: 70
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/3,434
Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s have reached the final of the Kent Intermediate Cup, a competition that is principally contested by U23 sides.
The Angels route to the final has seen them eliminate Lordswood, Margate, Deal Town and, in last night’s semi-final, Cray Wanderers, all of which from the older age group.
The final will be held on Wednesday, 6th May at Chatham Town against the winners of Wednesday’s other semi-final between Hollands and Blair and Faversham Town.
For a little bit of historical context, the Kent Intermediate Cup was entered into in the early 2000’s by Tonbridge’s reserve sides and was won in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012 and, for the last time in 2013.
Cray Wanderers were considered to be the favourites for the competition and proved stern opposition for Dom Welsh’s side, who fielded a couple of the Academy U19’s in Ollie Thomson and Noah Millis.
As expected the game was competitive from the outset with neither side gaining any sense of dominance. The Angels opening opportunity came on the quarter hour when Thomson narrowly headed wide following a corner with chances coming at the other end that never really tested Jacob Hunt.
On 30 minutes a last gasp block denied Richardson’s shot but, four minutes before the break, it was Richardson’s cross that saw Callum Fincham steal in unchallenged to head home and give the Angels a half-time lead that might have been doubled as Fiachra Pritchard’s effort drifted agonisingly wide.
The second half was never going to be anything other than a backs-to-the-wall commitment from the Angels with the missiles that were being thrown into the area from Cray’s Archie Morley, without doubt the longest throw-in’s seen at this level.
But, superbly marshalled by captain Ed Dyer, the Tonbridge youngsters stayed strong and, barring a couple of scares, they restricted the visitors to absolutely nothing that troubled Hunt.
The vocal band of brothers behind the goal greeted the Under-18’s with well-deserved appreciation that they accord a senior team success.
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