Tonbridge Angels 3 Chippenham Town 2

Match 61/19/1783 - Saturday, 4th January 2020 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 Williams 1 Theobalds 45 Turner 60
Chippenham Town (1) 2 Owen-Evans 32 Chambers 54
Attendance: 596

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,671

Muddy Marvellous!

On a pitch that in horse racing terms would have been described as beyond heavy, two teams at the wrong end of the National South table produced an epic encounter with twists and turns from the opening minute.

Tonbridge, continuing the horse racing theme, leapt out of the gates and were in front after just 35 seconds. A free kick punted forward by Rhian Bray initially found the feet of Jason Williams, his touch found Roberto Ratti whose exquisite back heel opened up the path for Williams to stride forward before curling a shot into the far corner with Chippenham goalkeeper Will Puddy grasping at thin air.

A great start but the Wiltshire side quickly recovered their composure and started taking the game to their hosts with a free kick over and a shot from Callum Gunner going wide.

After 12 minutes, Williams pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Jared Small in the first of three substitutions for the Angels in the space of 25 minutes. After 24 minutes Alex Bentley went down after making a challenge and needed to be replaced by Jack Parter with a knee injury.

After 26 minutes Harry Donovan brought a full length, low save from Puddy but Chippenham gained a deserved equaliser after 32 minutes when a cross into the box saw several deflections before the ball fell for Tom Owen-Evans to hook a shot into the net from close range. In the melee of arms and legs, Parter took a knock and he needed to substituted by Liam Smith.

Tonbridge had used all their substitutes by the 34th minute and Chippenham had used one of theirs. A consequence of pitch, a lot of games in a short space of time or just mere coincidence? Little bit all those factors, I guess.

Ben Greenhalgh’s shot took a deflection and from the resultant corner a clearance only found the waiting D’Sean Theobalds and from the edge of the box the midfielder’s drive arrowed into the net in the fifth minute of first half added time.

In the early moments of the second half, a cross to the near post from Small found Ratti who, under pressure and falling, dragged his shot narrowly wide and getting injured in the process.

Chippenham drew level in the 54th minute when Donovan, struggling with a first half injury, lost possession in the middle of the field for Owen-Evans to play in Karnell Chambers who rounded Jonny Henly to score.

Tonbridge quickly responded and were back in front five minutes later. A lofted cross into the box from James Folkes was met with a leaping header from Joe Turner that gave Puddy no chance.

Chippenham were offered a way back into the game after 79 minutes when a reckless challenge from Donovan was met with a straight red card from the referee but the man advantage lasted just four minutes when a petulant kick out from Ryan Case brought a second yellow.

Ratti, who had absolutely run himself into the ground, hooked a shot wide and for Chippenham the impressive Chambers flashed a shot across the face of goal as the Angels breathed a sigh of relief.

As the final whistle blew players from both sides slumped to the ground in sheer exhaustion, bodies strewn here, there, everywhere. But it was the Angels who had taken the spoils and into so doing leapfrogging their opponents in the table and out of the relegation places.

Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough 2

Match 56/19/1778 - Saturday, 14th December 2019 - FA Trophy First Round

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 Theobalds 90 (pen) Brown (o.g.) 90+4
Hampton & Richmond Borough (2) 2 Orsi-Dadomo 5 Ahmidi 36
Attendance: 412

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,294

For the second week in succession Angels managed to recover from a two goal deficit to get something from the game, although this time they left it perilously late.

The two National South sides will have to do it all over again on Tuesday evening following dramatic late goals from the home side after it looked as if they were about to depart the competition

It was Angels with most of the chances in the first period but Hampton who reached the break two goals to the good. The visitors started strongly and with the home defence seemingly bewildered it was no surprise when Danilo Orsi-Dadomo game the Beavers the lead with just five minutes on the clock.

The goal woke up Tonbridge from their apathy and they proceeded to create a number of chances with Khale Da Costa, Joe Turner and Tom Derry all going close. Despite that it was the clinical Beavers who went further ahead in the 36th minute following a mistake on the Tonbridge back line with Wadah Ahmedi the grateful recipient.

With the pitch becoming heavier the quality of football declined and chances were few and far between but that played into Hampton’s hands and they appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win.

As time ran out Sonny Miles went up top and with Jarrod Small on one flank and Da Costa on the other the crosses stared to come in and the HMpton defence was becoming stretched.

With 90 minutes on the clock time was running out for the home side when Rian Bray was fouled in the area and D’Sean Theobalds made no mistake with the spot kick. Two minutes later after huge pressure on the Hampton goal, Alex Bentley got the final touch with the help of a slight deflection for that dramatic last gasp equaliser.

Afterwards Angels Boss Steve McKimm said : “At times it wasn’t the best of performances but I have to give the players great credit for never giving up. We’re in Monday’s draw and we’ve earned another chance.”

Tonbridge Angels 3 Billericay Town 2

Match 54/19/1776 - Saturday, 7th December 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Da Costa 49,67 Derry 51
Billericay Town (2) 2 Akinwande 7 Alfa 17
Attendance: 557

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/4,224

It was in every sense a game of two halves. At the break the Angels looked down and out trailing by two goals but the second period saw the home side score three times to take all the points.

Despite a bright start for the Angels using the width of the pitch well, it was Billericay who were to take the lead in the 7th minute with a fine individual goal Femi Akinwande. He cut in from the right wing made the space and fired past Jonny Henly in the Home goal.

Ten minutes later it was to get even better for the visitors when Odysseus Alfa who was not closed down put in an unstoppable 25 yarder that flew into the top right hand corner of the goal.

By now it was all Billericay forcing Henly into a series of fine saves, the only downside for the visitors, being the sight of Callum Kennedy being stretchered off following a nasty looking injury.

The game was quite literally turned on its head in the second period. On 49 minutes Khale Da Costa’s free kick seemed to deceive the Billericay defence, went straight into the goal and Tonbridge were on the way back. Two minutes later a Ben Greenhalgh Cross was converted by Tom Derry for the equaliser.

On 67 minutes the home side were ahead when Joe Turner’s Cross from the left was fired in by Da Costa for his second. There were no further goals but chances fell for both sides to keep the crowd on their toes.

The Angels will be delighted with this win and why not. To come back from two goals down against a side with experienced players is no mean feat and they did it in some style making their visitors look at times very much the underdogs. There were good performances right across the squad, Jonny with his first half saves without which there wouldn’t have been a contest, the two centre backs Sonny and Rian, the central midfield duo of Christ and Harry and the ever dangerous Da Costaaaa.

Afterwards, Steve McKimm said : “After Tuesday evening’s disappointing 2nd half performance, my players knew what was expected of them and they certainly delivered.”

Tonbridge Angels 2 Bognor Regis Town 1

Match 49/19/1771 - Saturday, 23rd November 2019 - FA Trophy 3QR

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Turner 44 Derry 62
Bognor Regis Town (0) 1 Crane 83 (pen)
Attendance: 456

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/3,755

One round hardly constitutes a Cup run, but given Tonbridge Angels recent history in FA competitions, it’s about as good as it gets!

Bognor Regis Town came to Longmead on a fine run of Isthmian League form leaving one sensing that this was not even the proverbial banana skin, more so an almost predictable upset.

Steve McKimm was forced to make changes from last week’s win against St Albans with Jason Williams cup-tied and Ben Greenhalgh refused permission to play by Dartford.

Bognor started with the confidence of a side borne of their good run with Tommy Leigh shooting wide in the opening minutes and Bradley Letheridge posting a threat. This continued for the first 20 minutes before the Angels had their first chance with Joe Turner firing marginally wide.

But that Turner effort was no deterrent to Bognor’s forward momentum and, after 29 minutes, Jonny Henly saved well from Josh Flint with Mason Walsh firing over the loose ball.

A quickly worked free kick that saw Tonbridge sleeping allowed Harvey Whyte to set up Dan Smith but his shot was wide.

So it was against the run of play when the home side went ahead a minute before the break when a Jared Small cross from the right was met at the far post by Turner who finished well.

Henly was brought into action once more after three minutes of the second period saving a James Crane header before Tonbridge enjoyed their best period in the game. Rhian Bray put a header from a corner wide and Khale Da Costa had an effort deflected over. On the hour, Jack Parter saw his effort brilliantly touched over the bar by the visiting goalkeeper, Amadou Tangara.

Tonbridge doubled their advantage when a superbly worked move ended with highly impressive Christ Tiehi brushing off a challenge to put in a killing cross for Tom Derry to slide in a the far post and convert.

Tonbridge were now dominating, but as is their want, they gave their supporters a nervous last ten minutes when Bray gave away a penalty for holding with Crane converting from the spot.

Thankfully, a perhaps encouragingly, the home side managed the game out despite breath being held as a final minute free kick from Flint was safely directed into the hands of Henly.

All cup runs start somewhere, we can but hope!

Tonbridge Angels 2 St Albans City 1

Match 46/19/1768 - Saturday, 16th November 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Greenhalgh 29 Da Costa 77
St Albans City (0) 1 Banton 90
Attendance: 592

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/3,541

It will be several months, through the bleak, dark days of winter, before we know whether the turning point of this season, as with the Brightlingsea game of almost a year ago, was that last minute equaliser against Oxford City a fortnight ago. The comparisons are very stark, a late equaliser (although not quite as late as Oxford) and a new signing lifting the spirits.

At the start of this month, a make or break in lots of people’s eyes, nine points out of the 12 on offer was the dream scenario. As it stands, because of the postponement at Hungerford, four from six is the total and I think those people might accept that.

Ben Greenhalgh has arrived, on loan from Dartford, and made an instant impression with a superb free kick after 29 minutes against similarly relegation-threatened St Albans City. Also boosting the hopes of supporters was the performance in midfield of another recent signing, Christ Tiehi, who was simply magnificent.

Early nervousness gave way to optimism as Tonbridge started brightly with Greenhalgh shooting wide and St Albans goalkeeper, Dave Snedker saving from D’Sean Theobalds after parrying a Khale Da Costa cross.

The optimism rose further, after 29 minutes, when Greenhalgh curled a free kick from the edge of the box into the right hand corner of the net to give the Angels a deserved lead.

St Albans barely registered a shot on target in the first half whilst further chances fell the way of Theobalds and Jared Small.

After an early effort from Da Costa into the side netting, St Albans had their first, and only period in the game when they looked threatening. Guiseppe Iaciafano shot over and Olayemi Oyinsan headed over.

After 71 minutes, Jason Williams replaced Tom Derry and the move quickly brought a dividend when he linked well with Da Costa, setting up the winger to steer a shot into the far corner from the left side of the box.

But nothing comes easy at Longmead and after substitute Joe Turner had wasted a great chance, firing at Snedker, Zane Banton drove a shot into the roof of the net to set up an unnecessarily nervous finish. When St Albans won a free kick on the edge of the box, three minutes into added time, all sorts of nightmares were rekindled but Scott Shulton’s effort did no more than hit the wall and everyone breathed once more.

Tonbridge Angels 4 Oxford City 4

Match 42/19/1764 - Saturday, 2nd November 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 4 Derry 48 Theobalds 55 (pen) Turner 85,90+2
Oxford City (2) 4 Benyon 31 Fleet 39 Brown 87,90
Attendance: 473

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/2,948

Another Saturday when football has to share centre stage with the Rugby World Cup and even if Liverpool and Manchester City were in opposition, it would have played second fiddle to a World Cup Final involving England.

So the household chores of a Saturday morning were scheduled around a kick-off time in Yokohama of 09:00 as we settled down to watch England crowned Champions of the World, or so we had been led to believe by the media. Turn up and it’s ours.

Of course, nothing is as predictable as that and South Africa were not ready to roll over and have their tummies tickled. Even to my less than knowledgeable eye it was soon apparent that the Springboks were more powerful in the apparently vital area of the scrum and as they wheeled the English around into offside positions, penalties built up an unassailable lead. When the second try went over with five or so minutes over, it was time to upsticks for Morrisons and the start of the footballing day chores.

Just as with the rugby, Tonbridge Angel’s game against similarly relegation threatened Oxford City was far from predictable and had a climax that would have had both sets of management watching from behind the sofa, if there had been a couple.

Torrential downpours during the morning had left the ground staff with an awful lot of mopping up to make sure that referee Daniel Lamport gave it the go-ahead.

Tonbridge started the game well and went on to dominate the first half, but somehow, went into the break 2-0 down.

In the first quarter-hour, with Jared Small’s pace causing the visitors concern, Tom Derry had a header deflected wide for a corner; Rhian Bray headed wide whilst the rejuvenated Joe Turner shot narrowly over and had another shot deflected wide.

It took Oxford City 20-odd minutes to mount a serious attack that came to nothing.

But, almost true to form one would say, it was indeed the visitors that took the lead on 31 minutes when a ball lost on the right of midfield was instantly pumped forward into the path of Elliot Benyon who drove a fierce shot between Jonny Henly and his near post.

Eight minutes later, the early dominance of the home side was well and truly put into the past as an Oxford corner from the left was met at the near post with a header from Reece Fleet to put City two goals to the good.

With Christ Tiehi having made way for Khale Da Costa after 35 minutes, Steve McKimm made a second change during the break with new signing Jason Williams replacing Small.

The changes had the desired effect with Derry converting a Da Costa corner three minutes in the half.

After 55 minutes the Angels were level when Da Costa was tripped in the box for D’Sean Theobalds to make no mistake with the spot kick.

The game had a good ebb and flow from that point with both sides having half-chances unconverted. But with five minutes remaining, Chinedu McKenzie linked with Turner before the winger cut in from the left to fire a pinpoint shot into the far corner. As the Tonbridge support celebrated what appeared to be the winning goal, no one was envisaging quite how the game was about to unfold.

Within two minutes, Oxford were level once more as a cross from the left from Nana Owusu found substitute Stefan Brown on the edge of the box with time and space to pick his spot into the bottom corner past Henly.

Joy of Turner’s goal turned into utter despair on 90 minutes when a three man move opened up the Tonbridge defence for Brown to finish.

But those that had braved the weather were rewarded two minutes into time added when a Da Costa corner from the left was met by the head of Turner at the near post and a point, albeit wholly deserved, had been salvaged.

No more sharing of Saturday’s which is a good thing because the heart and brain cannot continue to take the heady mixture of disappointment and celebration in equal measure.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Chelmsford City 2

Match 38/19/1760 - Saturday, 20th October 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Da Costa 16
Chelmsford City (0) 2 Whelpdale 90+2 Jeffers 90+4
Attendance: 590

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/2,618

Football is such a cruel game. Arguments can be made that Tonbridge were the architects of their own downfall with defensive mistakes that led to two goals being scored in time-added, but the manner in which Tonbridge were left pointless was cruel in the extreme.

At the beginning of this month, a single point from the three games looked unlikely but the confidence building demolition of Braintree, and Chelmsford’s own indifferent form, had left room for a modicum of optimism. Despite this, the visitors still had the look of an expensively assembled squad with Sam Higgins, the spearhead of our play-off defeat at East Thurrock in 2016, ex-Gillingham favourites in Chris Whelpdale and Billy Knott and, in the centre of defence, the formidable Dave Winfield.

After a quiet opening in which a double save from Henly was the only item of note, Tonbridge went ahead after 16 minutes when a crossfield pass from Jack Rudoni was collected by Khale Da Costa who cut in from the right to fire a shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.

Chelmsford responded immediately and Henly was needed to touch over an effort from Jonny Giles.

The visitors enjoyed the best of the possession throughout the rest of the first half, but for that Henly was only tested in the time-added when he saved from a Knott free kick.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Chelmsford enjoying the majority of the possession and Tonbridge relying on the breaks but neither goalkeeper having much too do until the 70th minute when a Da Costa free kick into the area ending with the ball hitting the bar and, three minutes later, the Chelmsford goalkeeper, Carl Pentney turned away an effort from Tommie Hession-Harris for a corner.

As the game entered its final throes of regular time, there was nothing to lose for the visitors and Henly saved as the game entered its added time of six minutes.

A long punt forward from Pentney saw a misplaced header from Sonny Miles find Shaun Jeffers whose cross from the right gave Whelpdale an easy opportunity to convert and retrieve a point, or so it seemed for the Essex side.

But, in a final cruel twist, another long punt into the Tonbridge box this time from the goalkeeper that was initially headed on and another misjudged header from Miles allowed Jeffers to win a challenge from James Folkes and place a shot under the advancing Henly for the winner.

It was a savage blow but of a type that has become a irritating habit this season with Chelmsford’s goals being the eighth and ninth that have been conceded in the last five minutes of either half, in turn costing five points which could have steered them into the relatively calm waters of lower mid-table.

Tonbridge Angels 5 Braintree Town 1

Match 34/19/1757 - Saturday, 12th October 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (3) 5 Derry 21 Theobalds 26 (pen) Hession-Harris 28,62 Bray 80
Braintree Town (0) 1 Mills 74
Attendance: 612

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/2,368

Among those that had been sheltering from the rain in the main stand walking back towards the exit gates, my eyes met with those of Lisa McKimm, the Tonbridge manager’s wife. She said: “Where did that come from?”, it was to be an expression that I wasn’t too hear for the last time in the next hour. Some charitable souls said: “It’s been coming”, a win has been coming, but five goals? No, that scenario might have been on a wish list but not with any expectation.

Why should it? Braintree arrived sitting fifth in the National South table having gone unbeaten in six games, winning five in the process. Notable scalps in that run included Havant & Waterlooville on their own patch and Dulwich Hamlet. The one glimmer of optimism pre-match was their goals against column showed plenty.

A said it was a filthy afternoon, one that had obviously deterred a lot of people from taking advantage of the Non-League Day offer of virtually half-price before 2pm.

Since the defeat at Hampton, Tom Brewer, Rhyle Ovenden and Alex Read have departed which allowed for the return after sickness to the starting 11 for Tommie Hession-Harris.

The opening salvoes were balanced with Jonny Henly saving from Braintree’s leading scorers Tom Richardson and Femi Akinwande whilst Hession-Harris brought Michael Johnson into action. Khale Da Costa saw yellow for a tackle that incensed the visitors and a couple of minutes later Adeyinka Cole also found his way into the book.

Tonbridge went ahead on 21 minutes when a surging run from deep from full back Jack Parter ended with his cross being turned in at the near post by Tom Derry. It was the start of a magical seven minutes that had both sets of supporters looking on almost in disbelief.

After 26 minutes, the excellent Jack Rudoni weaved his way into the box before a mistimed tackle had the referee pointing to the spot, from which D’Sean Theobalds sent Johnson the wrong way. Two minutes later it was three when Hession-Harris fastened on to some dithering defence work to shoot past the bewildered Johnson.

The aim was to get to the break with the lead intact and it took a touch over from Henly and header clear from Rudoni from successive corners to achieve this.

Braintree’s Cole was a relieved man when he received a last warning rather than a second yellow card after 50 minutes and Johnson also breathed heavily after spilling a shot from Rudoni but managing to smother Joe Turner’s attempt.

Just past the hour and Tonbridge went four up when Hession-Harris made the most of some woeful defending to convert substitute Chinedu McKenzie’s cross.

Greed had started to set in and thoughts turned to a clean sheet being the icing on the cake when a Byron Lawrence free kick was headed home by an unmarked Andy Mills.

But there was to be no bigger smile around Longmead when centre half and skipper Sonny Miles recycled a corner to produce a pinpoint cross for his defensive partner, Rhian Bray, to head home for Tonbridge’s fifth, the first time they had gone nap in a National South game since January 2012.

Johnson saved well to deny Rudoni a well deserved mention on the score sheet and Bray might have added to his first goal for the club but Johnson saved again as the home side finished the game with almost a swagger. Who’d have thought it!

Tonbridge Angels 2 Romford 1

Match 32/19/1755 - Saturday, 5th October 2019 - Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (0) 2 McKenzie 78,88
Romford (1) 1 Nash 32
Attendance: Est. 100

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 38/2,292

Match Report

Tonbridge Angels 1 Eastbourne Borough 2

Match 26/19/1749 - Saturday, 21st September 2019 - FA Cup 2QR

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Theobalds 8 (pen)
Eastbourne Borough (0) 2 Wheeler 60 Romain 81
Attendance: 538

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/1,942

This was supposed to have been a weekend of celebration, the visit of Eastbourne Borough in the FA Cup marking my 3,000th game. The fact that Tonbridge Angels made their traditional first hurdle exit from the competition was later in pale into insignificance when, in a matter of hours on Sunday, two Angels supporters lost their battles with cancer.

Rosemary Stubberfield, who had accompanied her husband George and sons Kevin and Glen to matches over the course of 50-plus years, was a cheery lady known to everyone that regularly attended games on Longmead Stadium. At the opening game of the season against Dulwich Hamlet, she was able to enact one of her final wishes to lead the team onto the pitch aided by skipper Jack Parter.

Simon Balsdon is the son of Tim, whom I have had the pleasure of watching the Angels alongside for 20 years. Simon was the Joint Manager of the Reserve Team with Julian Leigh from 2005 and in November 2007 when Tony Dolby left his post as Manager at the club, the duo were put in charge of the First Team while the club sought a permanent replacement. When Tommy Warrilow was given the job after Simon and Julian had been in charge for a couple of games, Simon was returned to the Reserve side but was later made a First Team Coach under Warrilow alongside Alex O’Brien. Simon was also a well-respected coach at the Kent FA and in 2009 took the County to the FA County Youth Cup Final where they were beaten by Birmingham at Gillingham but, a year later, they went one better by winning the trophy beating Sheffield and Hallamshire 1-0, once again at Priestfield Stadium. This remains the only time that Kent have won the national competition. Simon teamed up again with Tony Dolby at Hastings United as Assistant Manager in 2010.

The outpouring of tributes on social media paid testament to the high esteem with which both people were held. Simon’s picture appeared on this blog, striding out alongside Tommy and Alex before a game. He said to me, having been an avid follower, joyfully that he had made it onto the blog. You’ve made it again Simon, I so wish the circumstances could have been different.

On Saturday, the emotions were one of anger as Tonbridge, given the boost of an early lead via a penalty, produced a woeful second half performance to go down 2-1 to Eastbourne Borough, losing the club £10,000 plus in prize money in the process. But that anger subsided into sadness within the next 24 hours.

Tonbridge Angels 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 2

Match 23/19/1747 - Saturday, 14th September 2019 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 2 Nash 48,51
Attendance: 576

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/1,788

The witching hour unfortunately was not removed, just positioned 10 minutes further on.

Tonbridge enjoyed the best of the first half against their high-flying visitors, Hemel Hempstead Town, but came across a goalkeeper in Danny Boness at the top of his game and when they conceded two early second half goals they were left chasing the game.

Hemel Hempstead arrived with no less than four ex-Gillingham players in their side and it was one of these, Liam Nash, that executed the coup-de-grace that delivered the points back to Hertfordshire.

Tonbridge got their first warning that they had picked a bad day to come up against Boness when, after 11 minutes, he made a fine save to deny Joe Turner.

After 16 minutes, Tonbridge survived a scare when ex-Gill Connor Essam planted a header against the crossbar following a corner.

A minute later, Boness turned away an effort from Ade Yusuff as the Angels started to to dominate the game and rack up the chances. Khale Da Costa fired narrowly wide a free kick; Yusuff fired at the keeper and Boness produced a top class save, clawing the ball out of the top corner to foil the unlucky striker, all in the space of little more than five minutes.

But those infuriating lapses of concentration (or whatever it is) struck soon after half-time when a corner was helped on to the far post where Nash was waiting to nod home.

Three minutes later, a free kick conceded 20 yards from goal was beautifully curled beyond Jonny Henly and into the top corner by Nash, a great strike from a player who never got a real chance at Gillingham.

Tonbridge were offered a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after D’Sean Theobalds was brought down. Unfortunately, Turner’s recent record from the spot was not improved as his penalty sailed over the bar.

Tonbridge huffed and puffed their way to the final whistle but despite throwing on substitutes Chinedu McKenzie and Tom Derry to go three-up top, the chances dried up and the visitors comfortably saw out the game.

Tonbridge Angels 3 Dartford 2

Match 20/19/1744 - Tuesday, 3rd September 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (2) 3 Turner 28 (pen),45 Derry 85
Dartford (1) 2 Hill 43 Sherington 76
Attendance: 816

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/1,379

Dartford were truly terrible; worst Dartford team I’ve ever seen; a poor looking Dartford side. Words from social media, but in the words of the legendary Barry Davies “frankly, who cares”.

Dartford were poor and the departure of their joint management team of Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan probably emphasises the fact but, just to say that, diminishes the performance of Tonbridge Angels, who were truly superb.

For 45 minutes, Jared Small ran Alex Flisher absolutely ragged; Ade Yusuff terrorised a central defence with the turning circle of the QE2 whilst Tonbridge’s midfield ruled the roost like no other time this season. But with two minutes of the half remaining, the tale of the opening month of the season came back to haunt the Angels as an individual mistake allowed the visitors back into the game. But this game was different.

Tonbridge started as they were to go on, taking the game to their Kent neighbours. Three corners were forced in the opening eight minutes; after 13, Yusuff brought a save out of Dartford goalkeeper Mark Smith, who proceeded to make a brilliant low to his left save to deny a Yusuff header a minute later.

It took Dartford 20 minutes to mount a serious attack that came to nothing and, in 26 minutes, the Angels finally got the breakthrough they deserved when Yusuff was brought down in the box. Turner stepped up to drive his spot kick down the middle.

This did stir some life out of the visitors and Jonny Henly was pressed into action to turn away a Flisher shot for a corner.

As half-time approached, the witching minutes for this side, Dartford won a corner from which Jack Parter sliced a clearance and Josh Hill stabbed the ball home between Henly and his post.

The disappointment, this time, was not too last as Small was sent on his way leaving Flisher for dead before delivering a cross that only required a touch home from the arriving Turner. As the scorer commented afterwards, the difficult part of the goal was keeping up with the fleet footed winger.

Dartford emerged from the dressing room with virtually half of the break remaining, one would guess with more than a flea in their ear. But Tonbridge maintained their first half momentum with Khale D’Costa putting his shot wide after being set up by D’Sean Theobalds.

Dartford responded in a small measure with efforts from Norman Wabo saved and high before Thebalds forced Smith into another fine save.

But with 15 minutes to play, and completely against the run of play, Dartford equalised. A free kick was lofted to the far post in the direction of Ronnie Vint who failed to make a connection but the ball fell to Charlie Sherington who nodded home from close range.

It appeared that another frustrating game was on the cards for the Angels and for a five minute spell it seemed like it might get even worse as the Darts pressed on for a winner.

But Tonbridge regained their composure and Yusuff produced a tired shot at Smith, his last act of the game being substituted by Tom Derry.

Four minutes from time, inspired substitution springs to mind as a weaving run from Theobalds ended with a pass across the face of goal and there was Derry, sliding in to steer the ball home at the far post.

A final assault might have been expected from Dartford to salvage something but it never came and Turner went the closest bringing a flying save from Smith.

The magnificent support acclaimed the final whistle with a noise reminiscent of the play-off game of last season to celebrate a match that will live long in the memory.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Weymouth 1

Match 19/19/1743 - Saturday, 31st August 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Yusuff 84 (pen)
Weymouth (0) 1 Williams 49
Attendance: 629

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/1,341

The Angels faithful may have had to wait 21 years to see the side from Dorset take on their heroes but a much better performance ensued compared with that game in April 1998 when a 2-4 home defeat was suffered. It may only have been a modest 1-1 draw today but the performance at times gritty, at other times skilful will have given hope for the future in what is turning out to be a highly competitive National South season.

Angels manager Steve McKimm chose to move Joe Turner into a central midfield role starting both his other side players Jared Small and Khale Da Costa. The latter returned the compliment to his manager by having probably his best game so far this season although to be fair he has been carrying a niggling injury. Another player who perhaps has come of age in an Angels shirt was Rian Bray who had a very steady game at the back partnered by his mentor, Sonny Miles.

It was a very even first half and with both sides coming off the back of successive defeats and perhaps a safety first approach was the order of the day for both managers.

There was plenty of decent possession play in midfield areas and some speculative shots but arguably only two moments when either side was opened up. In the 18th minute Yemi Odubade for Weymouth escaped his marker and was able to cut in from the right with a clear sight of goal. Angels stopper Jon Henly however was equal to the task pushing away the effort.

The 44th minute saw Angels playmaker D’Sean Theobalds run from deep in his own half and then slipping the ball wide to Joe Turner whose curler was just clear of the angle of post and bar.

The second period was just three minutes old when Weymouth’s Odubade crossed from the right with a perfect cross for Brett Williams to put the Terras in front.

There followed an immediate response from Tonbridge with efforts from Rian Bray and Joe Turner before Angels were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the 59th minute. The referee had taken a while to deal with the Weymouth complaints and there was a significant delay to the taking of the penalty. There was also a debate around who should take the penalty with both Turner and Ade Yusuff seeking to claim the ball. The bench ruled that Turner as the regular penalty taker should continue as normal. Turner’s kick was brilliantly saved by Callum Ward but the arguments continued in front of the dugouts with order eventually restored following a couple of bookings.

Angels were awarded a second penalty in the 85th minute when D’Sean Theobalds shot was handled but this time it was to be Ade Yusuff to have the chance. His effort hit the back of the net but the referee ruled there had been some encroachment and he had to take the spot kick again. Once again his effort hit the back of the net and Angels were deservedly Level. There were chances for both sides to grab the winner but Tonbridge looked the more dangerous.

Afterwards, McKimm said: “I’m very pleased with the performance, we passed the ball much better today, and cut out the errors. Perhaps I’m a little disappointed we didnt take all the points but all the players did really well and once again have shown we can compete at this level.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Havant & Waterlooville 3

Match 18/19/1742 - Saturday, 24th August 2019 - National South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Hession-Harris 4
Havant & Waterlooville (3) 3 Ayunga 8 Bailey 18 Drury 45
Attendance: 640

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/1,303

This fixture was always going to be a severe test of the Angels credentials with Havant & Waterlooville one of the favourites for promotion. Add in the fact that their newly installed manager, Paul Doswell comes with a fine reputation following what he achieved at his previous club Sutton Utd where he gave Steve McKimm his first coaching position and you have the ingredients for an enticing encounter.

Angels got off to the best possible start with a goal after just four minutes when Tommie Hession-Harris took advantage of a slip in the Havant defence scoring from close range. Ironically perhaps the goal came too early for the home side as it seemed to galvanise the visitors and they started to go through the gears and 14 minutes later they were in front.

On 8 minutes the potent Havant attack cut through the Tonbridge defence with Jonah Aylinga getting the decisive touch and then on 18 minutes a wonderful free kick from Nicky Bailey that no goalkeeper was ever going to save left Tonbridge reeling. To their credit the Angels steadied the ship and created chances for themselves with Tom Derry unlucky a couple of times and Alex Bentley hitting the base of the post with a 30yd drive in the 23rd minute.

Just when it looked as if the home side would get to half time just the one goal in arrears, Havant stepped up and following a passage of play during which the home side couldn’t clear their lines, Andy Drury on 45 minutes applied the finishing touch to a strike which was to give the Angels a mountain to climb.

The home side enjoyed more possession than their opponents in the second half and it seemed that Havant were largely content to sit on their lead and just play on the break. Man of the Match for Tonbridge, D’Sean Theobalds on 71 minutes went on a run through the Havant defence and forced a fine save out of Ville keeper Ross Worner while two minutes later at the other end Havant’s Man of the Match Andy Drury brought Roberts into action diverting an effort round the post.

On 82 minutes a Sonny Miles header drifted just wide of the right hand post and on 87 minutes Joe Turner’s fine shot looked goalbound but somehow clipped the inside of a post and ricocheted along the goal line and to eventual safety. It was that kind of afternoon for Tonbridge.

Afterwards Steve McKimm Angels Boss said: “I’m very proud of the effort my players put in today against a very good Havant side. We’ve created chances and our heads have never gone down. We just need to convert some of those chances.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Concord Rangers 0

Match 13/19/1737 - Tuesday, 13th August 2019 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Parter 89
Concord Rangers (0) 0
Attendance: 476

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/739

An 89th minute header from the unlikeliest of sources secured Tonbridge Angels first points of the season, sending the majority of the 476 attendance home with a smile on their faces.

Sonny Miles, free from suspension, returned to the side with a man of the match performance and it was no coincidence that the first clean sheet of the campaign was attained.

Steve McKimm also restored Tommy Brewer to the side after missing Saturday’s game at Dorking through injury.

Joel Nouble had the first opportunity of the game but fired over before the Angels tested Concord goalkeeper Chris Haigh to the full when Joe Turner’s header from Tommie Hession-Harris was turned past the post diving low to his left.

The game tightened up through the first half but Jared Small’s pace was causing the visitor’s back line concern and a cross across the face of goal after 31 minutes just begged a touch.

A lack of the rub of the green has become a recurring theme of the opening games and it seemed the luck wasn’t with Tonbridge once more as Hession-Harris’ shot crashed against the crossbar after 38 minutes.

A fantastic run by D’Sean Theobalds, reminiscent of his super play-off goal, was only brought to an end with a saving block and the mere reward this time of a corner.

Concord started the second period on the front foot forcing a corner from which David Olufemi shot well wide.

Tonbridge quickly found their first half rhythm with Small continuing to concern the Concord defence flashing another cross that evaded everyone and followed this with a cross to the head of Tom Derry on the back post that drifted wide.

Decarrey Sheriff, who had been fleet of foot all evening, fired in a shot that was comfortably dealt with by Myles Roberts, whose confidence has grown game by game since his arrival.

The Angels hearts went slightly in their mouths just past the hour when Nouble went down in the box but the referee decided it was simulation and duly showed the yellow card.

Successive corners eventually saw Miles steer a header wide followed by McKimm ringing the changes with Small making way for Khale Da Costa and Chinedu McKenzie on for Tom Derry.

The Angels support, magnificent throughout, were once more cursing their luck when, after 79 minutes, Theobalds beat three players but saw his shot hit the bar and bounce away off the line.

Just when minds were edging towards accepting a point and getting something on the board, after concerted pressure, Turner swung a ball into the box and there was Jack Parter, left back and not exactly the tallest, to rise and glance a header past Haigh for an 89th minute winner.

A naturally delighted Steve McKimm was nonetheless pragmatic emphasising how important it was to get something out of this game with three difficult games to follow. “We are delighted that we got all three” he said “they haven’t won their first three games for nothing, we knew how good they are, but we kept going.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Match 9/19/1733 - Saturday, 3rd August 2019 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Turner 67 (pen)
Dulwich Hamlet (1) 2 Ijaha 22 Monakana 61 (pen)
Attendance: 954

Admission: Season Ticket
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/453

There was to be no fairytale return to National South football for Tonbridge Angels but in terms of lessons to be learnt the experience will, hopefully, prove invaluable.

When Dulwich Hamlet’s Quade Taylor saw red after just 13 minutes it seemed that opportunity knocked but, with one season’s experience, Hamlet have mastered the dark arts and their breaking up of the play by falling to the ground after the lightest of touches; the eternity of time that every free kick took to return the ball into play and the constant chatter to the official negated any advantage Tonbridge might have had from the extra man.

This is lesson one on day one, National South points are not necessarily gained by virtue of the beautiful game, in fact I can’t remember an uglier performance last season in the Isthmian.

There were talking points from the outset. Steve McKimm opted to go with a lone striker, did this smack of too much respect, especially on home soil? In central defence, to replace the suspended Sonny Miles, he chose the less than imposing Alex Bentley, and he got this one spot on as the ex-Hornchurch man put in a man-of-the-match display.

After Joe Turner had gone close, a quick free kick saw Tommie Hession-Harris clear before being unceremoniously brought down with what referee Daniel Lamport saw as a goal denying foul by Taylor who saw the red card and with that Dulwich game plan changed to spoiling and, boy did they know how to play it! Chief protagonist was ex-Angel David Ijaha, the Dulwich skipper, a big unit that munched the grass with the merest puff of wind.

After 22 minutes, Ijaha added to his villain status when he outmuscled his markers to easily nod home a corner from the right. Now a goal to the good, the Dulwich tactics were only to worsen, but in fairness, apart from a Jack Parter effort that brought a low save from Ashley Maynard-Brewer, it was the visitors that created the best of the chances in the period up to the break.

But, in the longer term of the game, it was a headed back pass from James Folkes that had Jonny Henly sprawling to save a corner and in so doing needing treatment for a shoulder injury that was to have a significant effect.

An early effort across the face of goal from Hamlet’s Danny Mills was a scare but, on the hour, a floated cross appeared to be an easy catch for Henly, but hampered by the injury, the ball was dropped and in his effort to retrieve it, Mills was a brought down for a penalty with the Angels’ goalkeeper also seeing red.

Folkes volunteered his services between the sticks but had no chance as Jeffrey Monakana blasted the ball down the middle to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Dulwich’s game plan went from dark to plainly mystifying as rather than pepper a stand-in goalkeeper they retreated behind the ball, never once threatening the goal.

This did give Tonbridge the opportunity to press forward with the introduction of Jared Small adding a threat.

After 67 minutes Tonbridge were back in the contest after Turner was brought down in the box for him to drive home the spot kick.

With renewed hope the home support in an impressive attendance marginally short of four figures raised the noise levels to rally their troops.

Ultimately, the width of a post denied the Angels a deserved point when, two minutes into six minutes of added time, Chinedu McKenzie struck the woodwork, a chance he should have taken.

So the new era of National League football got off to a losing start, but signs of progress were in evidence off the field. A new stadium sponsor has seen Longmead rebranded; there is card payment available for admission; a new home shirt sponsor and, as always, the Longmead pitch was resplendent.

No team wins the league, or gets relegated, on day one but lessons to be learnt.

Tonbridge Angels 3 Kingstonian 4

Match 8/19/1732 - Saturday, 27th July 2019 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (1) 3 Turner (pen) 26 Hession-Harris 71 Read 80
Kingstonian (1) 4 Hall 12 Theophanous 60,63,65
Attendance: 243

Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/415

A home defeat and conceding a hat-trick of goals within a five minute second half period were good reasons for concern but football was put into stark perspective as the club paid tribute to one of their former players, Charlie Slocombe, who died in the week after collapsing playing six-a-side football. His family and friends attended in great numbers with his father Keith, a former bucket and sponge man while Charlie was playing at the club, alongside his wife, showing great courage.

Thankfully the 38degC heat of Thursday had passed through and a more manageable 25degC proved less of a problem as both sides served up an entertaining game.

There would be speculation that Steve McKimm’s starting 11 would be close to those that walk out for next Saturday’s National League South opener against Dulwich Hamlet but that second half period might just have thrown a few doubts into that equation.

Kingstonian, managed now by Hayden Bird who has brought a fair few of his Merstham team of last season with him, started brightly and their performance over the whole game suggests that they will do very well in the Isthmian Premier this season. A wonderful cross field pass sent the ball behind the Angels’ back line for Reece Hall to latch onto and produce a fine finish after 12 minutes.

The goal sparked a response with Tom Derry to the fore and eventually, after 26 minutes, Tom Brewer spotted the run of Derry from a free kick which ended with the striker being brought down for a penalty which Joe Turner fired into the bottom left corner.

Derry continued to be the main threat with a shot marginally high and a header going similarly close but the half-time whistle came with the score remaining level.

A good run from stand-in skipper Jack Parter was the highlight of the early stages of the second half but, somewhat against the run of play, Kingstonian regained the lead when, on the hour, a straight through pass dissected the Tonbridge defence and Louie Theophanous fired past the advancing Jonny Henly.

Within three minutes the same act was repeated and the clinical Theophanous scored again. He completed a five minute hat-trick a minute later when a wonderful cross from Dan Bennett found the striker to score at the near post.

It was a wake-up call of the loudest order and manager McKimm responded with five changes from the bench. It brought its dividend when, after 71 minutes, Hession-Harries cracked home a fine shot from a tight angle to reduce the deficit.

A great escape looked on the cards when Hession-Harris’ cross found the excellent Alex Bentley at the far post who stretched to volley a cross into the path of Alex Read to score.

Tonbridge pressed hard for a face-saving draw with Rhyle Ovenden’s shot being comfortably saved and Bentley’s header narrowly over but it was not to be.

No points were lost, but a young man with his life in front of him has been. Rest in Peace, Charlie Slocombe.

Tonbridge Angels 1 Sutton United 2

Match 6/19/1730 - Tuesday, 16th July 2019 - Pre-Season Friendly

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Derry 20
Sutton United (1) 2 Jarvis 22,62
Attendance: 276

Admission: £3 Senior
Programme: £1
Mileage: 38/331