Thursday, 27 February 2025

Tonbridge Angels 2 Welling United 0

Match 77/24/2316 - Tuesday, 25th February 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Vincent 38 (pen) Botti 59
Welling United (0) 0
Attendance: 727
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,422

A goal in each half was enough to comfortably ease the Angels past relegation-threatened Welling United and record back-to-back victories following Saturday’s win at Enfield Town.

On a cold evening at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium, Jay Saunders effectively started with the side that finished the game at Enfield with Mikey Berry and Christie Ward starting ahead of Taylor Maloney and Crossley Lema, who both dropped to the bench.

Welling, who moved out of the bottom four with a draw at Chippenham Town on Saturday, were fast out of the traps and went close twice in the opening 10 minutes through Scott Kashket, the second of which saw his effort brilliantly turned onto the crossbar and over by Matt Rowley.

Tonbridge, relieved not to have fallen behind, settled into the game and Gianluca Botti rippled the side netting with a shot after 18 minutes after being found in a good position by Ethan Sutcliffe.

Now firmly in control of the game, Botti had a couple of half chances before in the 38th minute a great forward pass into the right channel from Jamie Fielding allowed Sutcliffe to take an excellent touch which took him into the box and commit the Welling defender, Riccardo Di Trolio, into a challenge that brought him down with referee Ben Robinson immediately pointing to spot from where, on his 50th appearance, Liam Vincent converted.

Successive corners prior to the break found the head of Fielding, but these went wide as the Angels entered the break well deserving of their single goal advantage.

The second half was largely one-way traffic as Tonbridge, with the energetic Berry finding pockets of space anywhere him roamed in the midfield with Ward tidying up any loose ends.

Sean Shields had a couple of efforts early in the half, the second of which brought a fine save from the Welling goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett and with the momentum firmly with the home side it seemed only a matter of time before the lead was increased.

This came, just shy of the hour, when Shields’ pinpoint cross found Botti to bury a header into the corner giving Lovett no chance.

Pantomime villain of the evening, Garrett Kelly, returning to Longmead, received an inevitable yellow card and when he was robbed late in the game it offered the chance for Maloney to shoot narrowly wide.

Lloyd Blackman, taking the post-match interview, said: “It was a thoroughly professional performance.”

Of the shape taken following Saturday’s win: “We felt we could hurt them in the wide areas with ‘Woody’ and ‘Shieldsy’ and, generally, that was our main route to goal. It was a slight change, but the boys adapted very well considering it was a quick turnover from Saturday to Tuesday. We gave them the game plan and they executed it really well.”

Picture: David Couldridge

Sunday, 23 February 2025

Enfield Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 3

Match 76/24/2315 - Saturday, 22nd February 2025 - National League South

Enfield Town (1) 1 Kasimu 27
Tonbridge Angels (0) 3 Nelson 77 Shields 78 Botti 90+6
Attendance: 733
Admission: Pass
Mileage: 146/5,384

Tonbridge Angels supporters who had endured a difficult journey to Enfield, whether by a road with an M25 road closure or by train, were eventually rewarded with three goals in the final quarter-hour to record their first win on the road since late November and, in so doing, also put a six game winless run behind them.

For 75 minutes, all that seemed unlikely as the visitors struggled to come to terms with a difficult pitch in which any quality from either side was at a premium.

Jay Saunders speaking with Matt Davison after the game: “Up until we got our first goal, it was not the most enjoyable afternoon I’ve had, but it shows you how quickly a game of football can change. It was a tough game, obviously with the pitch, you know what you are in for. I was disappointed with the first half, and the goal we conceded, but I think we showed a good reaction with the substitutes coming on and making an impact.”

On a mild afternoon with glimpses of the sun, Jay Saunders was able to welcome back Sean Shields, Liam Vincent and Crossley Lema, but lost Harry Ottaway to injury. Mikey Berry, Christie Ward and Bailey Akehurst took places on the bench.

The opening 20 minutes was not for the football purist with misplaced passes, hefty clearances and very little in the way of goalmouth action. To be fair to Enfield Town, much of the early momentum was with them but without troubling Matt Rowley to any great degree.

On 27 minutes, as Tonbridge were starting to wrest a bit of control from their hosts and with Gianluca Botti having broken clear to be denied by a good challenge, Enfield Town took the lead when a cross-cum-shot from the right by Anointed Chukwu was bundled home at the far post by Hisham Kasimu.

The Angels could easily have gone into the break further adrift as, on 41 minutes, John Oyenuga put a good chance wide and on the stroke of half-time, Rowley saved well to turn away a shot from Sam Youngs and, from the resultant corner, was needed to claw away an inswinger from under his crossbar.

Jay made a change during the break, reverting to a back four with the substitution of Ethan Sutcliffe with Ward.

But as the second half progressed and the pitch got worse, so did the game. On 64 minutes, Berry was introduced for Taylor Maloney and after Jack Wood had taken a whack, Akehurst was his replacement.

In the space of a minute the game was suddenly turned on its head when the latest of what had been numerous Vincent long throws that had continuously looked the Angels most potent weapon, found its way towards the far post from where a deft header from Ronny Nelson squeezed its way past the Enfield Town goalkeeper, Joe Wright and his post.

If the Angels support felt relief at the equaliser, they were in raptures a moment later when a superbly weighted through ball from Botti sent Shields clear to finish into the bottom corner.

Enfield Town, desperate to get something from the game to aid their relegation fight, threw bodies forward but Rowley was only needed to catch or punch a couple of corners before six minutes of added time were entered.

The Angels were managing the period comfortably but added some gloss to the scoreline when in the final minute, a cross from the right saw a Shields effort brilliantly saved by Wright but as the energetic Berry fought for the rebound the ball fell at the feet of Botti to drive home from inside the six yard box.

Jay added: “I’m pleased because we needed that. We’ve probably played better recently and not got the results, but today, at half-time, I’ve questioned them when I felt they felt sorry for themselves. When you’ve been on the run we’ve been on with injuries and results, you feel that everything has been against you.”

Staplehurst Monarchs 3 Rochester United 1

Match 75/24/2314 - Wednesday, 16th February 2025 - SCEFL Division One

Staplehurst Monarchs (1) 3 Luke Adams 21 Headley 69 Sean Adams 80
Rochester United (0) 1 Wilkins 59
Attendance: 67
Admission: £5
Mileage: 1/5,238

Staplehurst Monarchs and Rochester United slogged their way through 90 minutes on a pitch where the going would have been described as heavy had it been a racecourse.

That they produced an entertaining game is a credit to both sides. On a first viewing, the pitch that has been the subject of several postponements this season, didn’t look too bad but 20 minutes after kick off it was cutting up badly making anything played along the ground a serious risk.

In Jack Bray, Staplehurst had a defender for the occasion, he headed everything, heaved his clearances long with a thou shalt not pass attitude.

The pitch has been a major concern for Staplehurst since their promotion into Step 6 football but, hopefully, a resolution is just around the corner.

Funding is in place for the laying of a 3G pitch and approval sits with Maidstone Borough Council and it is reported that a decision is fairly imminent. It is seen by the local residents to be a community asset, so MBC, let’s get on with it.

Staplehurst took the lead on 21 minutes after an opening period when the visitors just about held the balance of play. Luke Adams buried a shot into the bottom corner to give the Monarchs a lead that they took into the break.

Rochester equalised, deservedly, on the hour when a long throw was only partially cleared to Liam Wilkins who scored from the edge of the box.

At this point, and with the pitch churning up, the game could have gone either way but it was the home side that restored their lead on 69 minutes when a long throw was scrambled home at the near post by Phil Headley.

With 10 minutes remaining Sean Adams made the game safe with the best goal of the game, an angled shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Both sides continue to harbour outside ambition of a play-off spot with Rochester in the better of the position with games in hand.

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Tonbridge Angels 0 Truro City 1

Match 74/24/2313 - Tuesday, 15th February 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Truro City (1) 1 Dean 15
Attendance: 1,085
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,237

On an emotional day, Tonbridge Angels fell to a single goal defeat to visitors Truro City, who maintained their position in the play-off places, moving up a place to sixth.

The pre-match tribute to Devonte Aransibia began with the laying of a wreath on the centre circle, performed by Devonte’s parents, who were accompanied by his partner along with Tonbridge Angels’ chair, Sophie Purves and club chaplain, Neil Durling, who led the prayers. This was followed by a perfectly observed minute’s silence.

A cold, grey afternoon that matched the solemnity of the moment, Jay Saunders had a further depleted squad from which to make his selection. Jack Wood (ankle), Liam Vincent (achilles), Brody Peart (back) added to those of longer term absence with Sean Shields and Harry Ottaway returning, who, along with a couple of others, were “probably not 100% and maybe you could see that at times.”

After a good opening period in which Ottaway’s effort cleared the bar after two minutes and Trevan Robinson’s cross flashed across the face of goal after nine, it was the well-travelled Cornish side that opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a clearance from a long throw into the box, fell to Will Dean on the edge of the penalty area from where a well struck shot into the bottom corner found its way through a crowded area.

A Shields cross that saw Robinson struggling to get the ball out from under his feet on the edge of the six yard box was the best chance in the remainder of the half whilst Truro, who had the better of the half, had opportunities through Tom Harrison, who shot wide and a cross from Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain that landed on the top of the bar.

The Angels in the second half, encouraged by their supporters in the North Stand, who had raised a banner for Devonte and had a new song in his honour, had the vast majority of the possession, and forward momentum, but stumbled on a stubborn visiting defence that didn’t allow the goalkeeper, Dan Lavercombe, to be tested on too many occasions.

A corner, after 51 minutes, saw a header from Jamie Fielding go over and when, on the hour, Shields cut in from the left and set for his shot, hopes rose of the net rippling, but it was straight at Lavercombe, who comfortably collected.

Truro went straight to the other end and when Jaze Kabia was sent clear it took the legs of the advancing Matt Rowley to save.

Following substitutions of Ottaway and Taylor Maloney by Nazir Bakrin and Crossley Lema, Fielding was pushed forward as the central forward. Lema had a header that drifted wide; Shields a shot that was over and Robinson a header that went wide after a corner head been headed on as the Angels desperately searched for a goal that would give them at least a point that could, arguably, have been deserved.

But Truro managed the game to its conclusion and took the three points back to Cornwall.

Jay said after the game: “The game wasn’t, I would imagine, great to watch. Truro are very good at what they do, they man mark all over the pitch. Long throws and set pieces and, unfortunately, we’ve lost it on a long throw which is the biggest disappointment. It was a patched-up side but we’re just disappointed with the goal conceded.”

Dorking Wanderers 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 73/24/2312 - Tuesday, 11th February 2025 - National League South

Dorking Wanderers (0) 1 Murphy 90+3
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance:
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 111/5,199

On 26 minutes, applause rang out from the Tonbridge Angels supporters in recognition of Devonte Aransibia, a young man who said he was never happier than when playing for Tonbridge Angels. As the referee, Adam Marchant, leant over an injured Taylor Maloney, the Dorking Wanderers captain, Charlie Carter, drew his attention to the applause. The game stopped, players joined with both sets of supporters in a show of respect for a young family man we have lost. In that minute, the ultimate result was immaterial, football had shown its soul.

On another evening, a 93rd minute defeat would have been devastating but tonight was about that 26th minute and we, as in the football family, had won.

Tonbridge Angels would like to thank Marc White, his players and their supporters for their part in this emotional moment. Rest in Peace with the Angels, Devonte.

On a cold Surrey evening, a sizeable contingent from Tonbridge had made their way to Meadowbank and occupied their corner in fine voice. Jay Saunders’ injury woes continued with Gianluca Botti pulling out through a knock sustained on Saturday alongside Scott Wagstaff. Crossley Lema, also substituted on Saturday, took a place on the bench.

As might be expected from a side at the top of the league, the Angels were forced to defend for long periods but the back three of Ethan Sutcliffe, Jamie Fielding and Ronny Nelson were truly heroic and, when they were breached, Matt Rowley was a safe pair of hands.

Dorking had a very early chance as Jordan Norville-Williams dragged a shot wide and, on 11 minutes, Carter was denied by the legs of Rowley.

But, the first half ended goalless and, in truth, Rowley had not been overworked.

Wycombe Wanderers loanee, Brody Peart, making his first start, needed to be substituted during the break for Trevan Robinson, whose pace started to give the home defence a problem and, on 55 minutes, the Angels were only denied the opening goal by a superb save from the Dorking goalkeeper, Harrison Foulkes. Liam Vincent crossed from the left to the head of Harry Ottaway who saw his effort turned onto the crossbar with the rebound just evading Robinson.

Dorking regained the initiative and, on the hour, Rowley made a good save from Rhys Murphy but, in the main, the Angels rearguard stood firm.

Bailey Akehurst had a half-chance on 75 minutes but his effort was wide and as five minutes of added time were entered, and Jason Prior shot high into the Dorking night sky, the Angels support hoped.

But, in the third minute, a free kick was lofted into the box, the ball fell to Prior, whose shot was parried by Rowley but the rebound fell into the path of Murphy and Angels’ hearts were broken.

Of the game, Jay said: “I’m gutted, genuinely gutted for the boys, the supporters, because I thought we deserved something out of it. To get done by a set piece right at the end is disappointing because the effort the boys put in was outstanding, our shape was very good and we limited them to half-chances. To concede the way we did was a kick in the teeth and hard to take.”

And, reflecting on Devonte: “Dev was a quiet lad, a good lad that always had a smile on his face and that first year he was with us he was unbelievable as a player and as a lad. It’s horrendous what has happened, as bad as it is for everyone involved in football that knew him, for his family, for his Dad, he has a young child. It shows you, that you get to know these lads really well but you don’t know what is going on away from football and you hope that people talk and reach out. I am devastated for him, for his family because he was a good lad that loved his football.”

Tonbridge Angels U18 3 Sheppey United U18 5

Match 72/24/2311 - Monday, 10th February 2025 - Isthmian Youth League

Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3
Sheppey United U18 (4) 5 Fabimafobee 17, Fincham 74 Larkin 88
Attendance: 35
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,088

In the last week Sheppey United have turned the table on its head and blown open the entire title race with last week’s stunning win against Sutton Common Rovers backed-up with another eye-catching win at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium against our own Under-18’s.

When asked about Sheppey’s week, Dom Welsh commented: “They have massively blown the title race apart. Fair play to them, they came with a plan and executed well, but having said that, we had enough chances to win two or three games. There are five big games ahead of us now.”

Anybody that was disregarding the visitors last week was given an early wake-up call as Sheppey swept into the lead with just 35 seconds on the clock when a strapping Sheppey forward collected a pass, cut in from the right to powerfully strike at the near post.

A positive response to the setback was needed and got as Ashton Lucas saw his effort well saved and from a short corner routine the goalkeeper was once again equal to an effort from Callum Fincham but the Angels found an equaliser, after 17 minutes, when Tolu Fabimafobee capitalised on the poor clearance to race clear, fire in a shot that was helped into the net by a Sheppey defender.

The next 20 minutes saw the Angels with all the momentum but finding a goalkeeper enjoying his evening with good saves from Harry Barton, Rush Broderick and Lucas before two goals in three minutes from the visitors stunned the home side. Both came from wickedly in-swinging corners from the left by J. Lacko, the first met with a header at the near post after 35 minutes and, three minutes later, the more of the same, with this time the ball appearing to go straight in.

Three minutes before the break, Sheppey added a fourth when Lacko found a team mate with time and space to score from around 10 yards.

Despite a positive response in the second half, the Angels fell further behind on 73 minutes when a free kick was headed on for an easy finish at the far post.

A spirited finish to the game saw the Angels pull two goals back, goals that who knows might prove vital at the end of the season. On 74 minutes a shot from Ashvir Banwait was deflected into the path of Fincham and after the goalkeeper thwarted efforts from Adam Larkin, Fabimafobee and Fincham, Larkin added a third from close range with a couple of minutes to go.

Sunday, 9 February 2025

Tonbridge Angels 1 Worthing 2

Match 71/24/2310 - Saturday, 8th February 2025 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Wood 72
Worthing (0) 2 Willard 69 Nash 83
Attendance: 1,109
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/5,050

Any neutrals walking away from the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium would surely have considered their afternoon well spent having been given a highly entertaining game for their admission fee.

Tonbridge Angels supporters might have returned home with the very slightest sense of injustice as their team ran Worthing, a team in the thick of title contention, very close.

Jay Saunders said of the visitors: “Worthing are a very good side, you can see why they are going for the title when you look at their squad, the quality they have going forward, they cause you a lot of problems. I thought we showed them a bit too much respect in the first half, which wasn’t the instruction, but towards the end of the half we were a bit more aggressive and in the second half better, without being at our best. But, you can see why Worthing are up there.”

On a damp, grey afternoon, Jay was able to call on the returning services of Ronny Nelson and Harry Ottaway while adding new recruit Christie Ward to the starting XI. Missing out from the side that took a point from Tuesday’s visit to Hornchurch were Ryan Hanson (concussion), Nazir Bakrin (suspension) and Gianluca Botti, who dropped to the bench alongside Brody Peart, the second of the Wycombe Wanderers loanees.

The opening half-hour saw the visitors look every inch the title contenders they undoubtedly are and only fine saves from the Angels goalkeeper, Matt Rowley, denied Danny Cashman, Jack Spong and Mo Faal from giving Worthing the lead.

Tonbridge were forced into two early substitutions with captain Scott Wagstaff being replaced by Trevan Robinson following a calf injury after 25 minutes and, nine minutes later, Crossley Lema limped out of the game to be replaced by Bailey Akehurst.

The introduction of Robinson added a different dynamic to the game with his pace troubling the Worthing defence and, as the first half progressed, the Angels grew into the game and ended the first half with half chances for Robinson and a strong penalty appeal that was turned away.

The second period was hugely competitive with neither side laying claim to being on top. Rowley was needed again to make a great save, after five minutes, turning a shot from Liam Nash over the bar.

Worthing took a 69th minute lead when the introduction of Tommy Willard brought an instant dividend cutting in from the left to curl a shot into the top corner.

Parity was restored for the home side within three minutes when Jack Wood produced an effort of equal quality to the opening goal to find the far corner from around 18 yards.

With both sides sensing that a draw was of little benefit to their league position, each sought a winner in a tense finale, but it was Worthing that found the net when, on 83 minutes, a blocked shot fell kindly to Nash, whose snap shot from 12 yards produced the ultimate winner.

Tonbridge had one final chance to rescue what might have been considered a deserved point but Botti steered his shot wide.

Jay added after the game: “The disappointing thing for me was the second goal, the referee has pulled Taylor Maloney up for clipping a boy’s ankle 15 minutes earlier, and then when exactly the same thing has happened, the fourth official has agreed, but at the moment, we seem to have every official without comms that works, so they can’t tell them what they’ve seen, so it doesn’t help. But our quality on the ball wasn’t good enough, we can normally handle the ball well, whether that was the changes, but we were not good enough in possession to have sustained spells where we could cause them problems.”