Welling United U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 2

Match 105/23/2228 - Tuesday, 16th April 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Welling United U18 (0) 1 Breece 68
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 2 Fabimafobee 88 Mgbeze 90+4
Headcount: 60
Admission: Free
Mileage: 78/7,539

Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s gatecrashed the party on a wet night at Holmesdale with two late goals to deny Welling United the league title on the night, leaving them sitting helplessly whilst Cray Valley complete their final two games with victory in both enough to snatch the title.

Manager Dom Welsh was justly proud of his team that had shown resilience, spirit and no small amount of skill in terms of the finishes that dampened the celebrations. “What a game to be involved in, 1-0 down with two minutes to play, to earn all three points epitomises the desire and determination this group showed tonight.”

The game was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Angels U18’s. Shorn of their commanding central defensive partnership of skipper Will Puffette and Ben Martin-Coward and the influential Sam Firman on a dreadful pitch that was not going to suit either side.

The storm clouds were gathering but at kick-off time the pitch was dry, the grass was long and the surface bumpy as the Angels fashioned the opening chance after two minutes when the ball fell to Cameron Honarvar in front of goal but there was too many bodies around him and his effort was blocked and eventually cleared to safety.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides having spells in which the chances fell to them. After eight minutes a left-sided corner flashed across the face of the Angels goal with nobody to add the finishing touch and after 15 minutes a shot drifted narrowly wide.

The Angels, playing down the discernible hill, had their period from 20 minutes in when an Adam Larkin shot brought a save from the goalkeeper and successive shots from Felix Waring were not too far wide or high.

On 42 minutes, Welling were awarded a penalty when an attack saw a player brought down on the far right side of the box. But, Toby Edwards was equal to his penalty taker, diving low to his left to save.

The storm clouds had turned to heavy rain as the second half began and the bumpy surface now had an added slippery element. Tonbridge had to repel an almighty scramble in front of their own goal after 10 minutes and whilst Tolu Fabimafobee stretched the Welling goalkeeper, a goal had been coming when Welling took the lead on 68 minutes when Breece found himself as the man over on the left to drive home and spark ridiculously over-the-top celebrations, considering there were 20 minutes (that actually turned in 30 minutes) remaining.

Tonbridge dug deep as emotions ran high and weathered the storm, literally, and with just two minutes remaining Fabimafobee ran from deep through a stretched Welling defence before despatching his shot into the bottom corner.

With the title now out of their hands, Welling threw bodies forward in search of the winner but the Angels stood firm and when Honarvar cleared from defence, Ethan Mgbeze strode clear before striking his shot cleanly into the bottom corner.

The Angels had to survive a final free kick that eventually came back off the bar to preserve a memorable win.

There’s a famous old saying; “It ain’t over 'til the fat lady sings” and with 20 minutes to go she wasn’t even clearing her throat.

With one game remaining, at Glebe next Wednesday, a top three finish is secure for Dom Welsh’s lads and of that they can rightly celebrate.

Chelmsford City 3 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 104/23/2227 - Saturday, 13th April 2024 - National League South

Chelmsford City (0) 3 Francis 52,90+2 Ruff 88
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,163
Admission: £12
Mileage: 134/7,461

Two late goals gave promotion-chasing Chelmsford City a flattering scoreline, although nobody of an Angels persuasion could really argue that the hosts deserved the points.

Until the 88th minute Tonbridge remained in the game at a windy but warm Melbourne Park but a failure to clear their lines following a corner gave Chelmsford breathing space and, in added time, a calamitous mistake from Jonny Henly wrapped up the game at a venue where fortune rarely favours the Angels.

Jay Saunders, banished to the distant viewing point of the main stand due to suspension, alongside his assistant Lloyd Blackman, was once more left with a threadbare squad, which just the one change from the side that performed admirably at Bath City with Josh Popoola coming in for the unavailable Mo Dabre, whilst Scott Wagstaff returned to the bench.

Under-18’s manager, Dom Welsh stepped in to assistant Tommy Parkinson in the dug outs.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening 20 minutes as the wind proved difficult with both sides struggling at times to just keep the ball on the pitch. The home side had an early opportunity as a cross from Jermaine Francis found Samir Carruthers in front of goal but a brilliant block denied the former Dartford man.

Henly had to be at his best to save from Callum Watts on 25 minutes with the follow-up being driven over the bar from Dave Winfield.

As half-time approached Tonbridge had a period when they created a couple of chances of their own after frustrating their hosts. Sean Shields twisted his way into space for a cross that was turned away for a corner and, in the last minute of the half, Shields brought a good save from Chelmsford’s goalkeeper, Jacob Marsden, at his near post and from the resultant corner, Jamie Fielding’s header was cleared away.

An early second half cross from Shields glanced off the head of Popoola before Chelmsford took a 52 minute lead. A cross into the box from Carruthers found Freddie Hockey, whose close range shot was parried by Henly but the rebound fell nicely for Francis to tuck home.

Tonbridge stayed in the game until its closing stages, limiting the home side to a couple of efforts, before a corner was only partially cleared falling at the feet of Charlie Ruff who scored from close range.

Sadly it was a calamitous moment that brought the curtain down on the game for the Angels when Henly was robbed on the edge of the box in the process of clearing allowing Francis to run the ball into an empty net.

Jay Saunders speaking to Matt Davison after the match reflected: "A bad day at the office ... We didn't work them enough in the final third, there is no denying that in the forward areas we are light. The likes of Ryan Hanson and Mo Dabre are big players for us and as a squad we can't afford to lose them. It is disappointing as management and players when we don't play as well as we are capable of knowing that supporters have spent hard-earned cash to come and watch us."

Staplehurst Monarchs 4 K Sports 1

Match 103/23/2226 - Wednesday, 10th April 2024 - SCEFL One

Staplehurst Monarchs (1) 4 Rosetti 33 Beech 48 Latunde 58 Gorse 71
K Sports (1) 1 Ajao 20
Attendance: 78
Admission: £4
Mileage: 1/7,327

Staplehurst Monarchs sealed their place in the playoffs, now the challenge is to retain their second place to ensure home advantage through the postseason stage.

After a one-sided game against K Sports, the Monarchs go into the weekend’s games with a three point lead over Rochester United and six over Larkfield, who have a game in hand, before next Wednesday’s rearranged encounter with Larkfield at the Jubilee.

On a miserable evening, weather-wise that restricted the attendance, the freshly mown pitch looked resplendent, belying the devil that has caused postponements during this exceptionally wet winter.

Staplehurst were dominant from minute one, creating all the chances, the best of which saw a shot from Harry Beech marginally clear the bar. So it was somewhat surprising, certainly against the run of play, when K Sports opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a cross from the right found David Ajao unmarked to score an easy finish.

The goal knocked the momentum out of Staplehurst for 10 minutes and they could have fell further behind barring a wasteful finish from Dylan Akue.

The home side drew level on 33 minutes when a huge crossfield pass from left to right saw Ted Rosetti beat the onrushing goalkeeper, Adam Lovell to touch the ball past him and run the ball into the net.

Staplehurst opened the second half with an early goal from Beech, who found himself with time and space to slip the ball past Lovell and the second half became a procession as the home side took total control.

On 58 minutes, David Latunde finished after good work from Beech and, on 71 minutes, Harley Gorse wrapped up the game meeting a James West free kick with a powerful header.

It will be strange next season, seeing K Sports operating out of Sheppey. For more years than I care to remember they have been synonymous with Cobdown, as Reeds, then APM Contrast before adopting the K Sports name and it is sad to see them leaving to make way for Welling Town who take over as the tenants at Cobdown. Let’s hope that all parties eventually benefit from the changes.

Sheppey United U18 0 Tonbridge Angels U18 3

Match 102/23/2225 - Monday, 8th April 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Sheppey United U18 (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels U18 (0) 3 Pritchard 59 Waring 64 Puffette 70
Headcount: 38
Admission: £3
Mileage: 54/7,326

Tonbridge Angels U18’s recovered from a desperately poor first half performance at Holm Park to score three times in the second period and comfortably take home the points from Sheppey United.

“We were terrible first half and let them know that too during the break. Just so sloppy on the ball,” reflected Dom Welsh.

Whilst the Angels U18’s continue to harbour ambitions of a top three finish, their hosts sit stranded at the bottom with no hope of escaping the wooden spoon. But for 45 minutes they were more than a match for Tonbridge, who struggled, be it on a wet and windy evening, to gain any sort of momentum.

A Will Puffette header from a left-sided corner that was cleared from the line after 21 minutes and a Sheppey effort that was well saved by Toby Edwards, low to his left, were the best moments of an instantly forgettable first half.

The Angels brought on Fiachra Pritchard, fresh from the title-winning Under-16’s, for the second half and the extra width posed problems for the home side that hadn’t existed in the first period.

Welsh explained: “The changes we made to bring Fiachra on and move Noah [Millis] deeper to help with the build up worked with also moving Felix Waring wider. This gave us a wide threat which also created space centrally.”

Sheppey actually had an early chance when an unchallenged header from a corner was steered narrowly wide after just two minutes but from that scare, Tonbridge took control and eventually opened the scoring just shy of the hour when Sam Firman played in Pritchard to drive the ball into the bottom corner for his first U18’s goal.

Five minutes later, a splendid run, cutting in from the right and evading several challenges, from Waring before finishing past the advancing goalkeeper doubled the advantage and the Angels finally looked comfortable.

On 70 minutes, Puffette headed home a Waring free kick and the first half woes were sidelined.

The lead enabled Welsh to introduce Harry Barton, also from the U16’s, and he tested the keeper on a couple of occasions.

All’s well that ends well for the Angels and they move on to a sterner test against potential champions Welling United at Holmesdale next Tuesday.

Bath City 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 101/23/2224 - Saturday, 6th April 2024 - National League South

Bath City (1) 1 Cooke (pen) 10
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Sutcliffe 40
Attendance: 1,358
Admission: £13
Mileage: 256/7,272

A collective cheer, whether that be in relief or joy, came from the gathered Angels faithful as Bath City’s leading goalscorer, Cody Cooke dragged his spot kick wide of the left hand post with five minutes remaining to preserve a point that would have been unjustly stolen from the visitors.

Tonbridge Angels had produced an energetic performance against their play-off contending hosts with a team that saw Mo Dabre playing as the central striker in place of Nathan Odokonyero, whose season has been ended by a hand injury sustained against Hampton and Richmond that, this week, has required surgery. Club captain Scott Wagstaff also remained on the sidelines through illness.

The first half was played in the tail-end of Storm Kathleen that suited the Angels football played on the ground rather than the aerial route taken by the hosts. But it was the Angels that suffered an early set back when a free kick played into the box brought about a scramble that ultimately saw Jordan Dyer go down leading to referee, Tommy Breen, pointing immediately to the spot.

Cooke stroked the ball into the net sending Jonny Henly the wrong way to give the Romans a 10th minute lead.

Rather than being disheartened by the goal, the Angels took the game to their hosts with a cross from Matty Macarthur that narrowly eluded Jernade Meade and a 20th minute effort from Meade that brought a good, low save from Will Buse.

Dabre was running on the highest quality Duracells and running the home defence ragged that brought a succession of corners the seventh of which, on 40 minutes, saw Sean Shields cross met with a powerful header from Ethan Sutciffe.

Tonbridge continued to dominate the possession and might have gone into the break in front when Jamie Fielding’s cross was plucked out of the air by Buse.

The second half saw Bath, having rang the changes (a luxury that the Angels could barely afford with a threadbare bench in terms of senior players), pose more of a threat but efforts from Dan Hayfield and Scott Wilson brought routine saves from Henly.

On 67 minutes a cross from Tariq Hinds narrowly eluded by Dabre and Lewis Gard followed by efforts from Shields and Dabre that cleared the bar.

Five minutes remained when heartbreak stared Tonbridge in the face as Fielding was harshly judged to have handled the ball as a shot was struck goalwards. But justice was served as Cooke struck his penalty well wide.

In a message to the travelling support, Jay Saunders said: “Thank you all for your amazing support this afternoon. The players really appreciated your singing and noise which no doubt motivated them to run that extra yard. The result was the least we felt we deserved and we’ll continue to work hard for these last 2 games.”

Tonbridge Angels 1 Farnborough 2

Match 100/23/2223 - Monday, 1st April 2024 - National League South

Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Odokonyero 18
Farnborough (0) 2 Haigh 51 Pendlebury 68
Attendance: 1,255
Admission: Season Ticket
Mileage: 38/7,016

A game of the proverbial two halves saw Farnborough extend their winning run to seven straight games at the Angels expense.

After a first half in which Jay Saunders’ team dominated and led through a Nathan Odokonyero goal, the visitors emerged from the dressing room a different team to score twice to take maximum points back to Hampshire.

Shorn of an almost entire midfield with Scott Wagstaff, Ryan Hanson and Jordan Higgs all missing out through injury, Jay’s squad looked threadbare with Josh Popoola and Lewis Gard returning to the starting XI with three Academy/Under-18’s on the bench.

After a relatively quiet opening quarter hour the game sprang to life when Odokonyero wriggled his way into the box before seeing his shot deflected for a corner from which Jamie Fielding’s header was cleared from the line for another corner.

This time Sean Shields corner was headed back across the face of goal by Fielding to Odokonyero who deftly turned and fired home past a helpless goalkeeper.

Tails up, Tonbridge were creating good chances with Shields only managing to stab a shot wide and Liam Vincent forcing Jack Turner into a good low save and, after 38 minutes, a Shields cross was headed against his own crossbar by Guy Hollis.

Jonny Henly brought rapturous applause from the home support but not in the normal manner after making a double tackle some 35 yards from his goal out on the right touchline.

In a moment, early in the second half, the game turned in the visitors favour as referee Matthew Norton waved away strong claims for a penalty after Odokonyero was brought down and as the ball was swept to the other end, Joe Haigh cut in from the right to bury a shot into the far bottom corner to equalise for the visitors after 51 minutes.

The momentum had swung in favour of Farnborough and Tonbridge had to withstand heavy pressure conceding several corners before a free kick conceded on the edge of the box was well struck by Olly Pendlebury could only be helped into the roof of the net by Henly.

The Angels mounted a spirited last 20 minutes that saw Fielding stretch Turner and an Odokonyero header that drifted narrowly wide. And then, in the final minute of regular time, a cross from Shields saw Turner save from Gard with the follow-up being cleared from the line by Ricky Holmes.

Five minutes of time added brought shots at goal from Vincent and Tariq Hinds but Farnborough stood firm to take the points.

A frustrating afternoon for Jay Saunders who commented after the game: “We had a lot of players missing today, we put a lot of effort in and they key moments leading up to their first goal the officials have had a big part to play in the way the game altered. For all the long balls they throw in I thought we dealt with it well, but key moments in games change things and we’ve had our chances.”

Picture: Dave Couldridge

Larkfield & New Hythe 3 Staplehurst Monarchs 1

Match 99/23/2222 - Saturday, 30th March 2024 - SCEFL Division One

Larkfield & New Hythe (2) 3 Walker 33 Day 39 Babington 62
Staplehurst Monarchs (0) 1 Watson (pen) 49
Attendance: 201
Admission: £3 Senior
Mileage: 22/6,978

Staplehurst Monarchs suffered a set back in their march to the SCEFL Division One play-offs but whilst it should not prove fatal in that quest, it might prove a pivotal defeat in the all-important battle for a top three place and a home tie in the post-season finale.

Larkfield and New Hythe, with this win, now stand four points adrift of the Monarchs but with two games in hand.

A bumper Easter Saturday crowd were treated to a feisty encounter that saw the home side, with perhaps the most to lose, play with an aggression that sailed pretty close to the wind at times but without doubt brought a deserved three points.

From the first minute when a great block from a Staplehurst defender denied an early goal, it was obvious that the home side were “up for it” with as much noise coming from the pitch as from the assembled crowd.

Staplehurst had decent chances on six minutes when the eccentric Larkfield goalkeeper, Jordan Carey, saved from Omar El Mantaway with the follow-up turned wide and on nine minutes when Harley Gorse headed over but after the visiting goalkeeper, Steve Lawrence, had made a brilliant reaction save to turn over a header from Tyrell Richardson, the resultant corner found its way to the left side of the box from where Fraser Walker drove low and cleanly into the bottom corner.

Larkfield doubled their advantage on 39 minutes when Matt Day beautifully flighted a free kick over the Staplehurst wall leaving Lawrence helpless.

Staplehurst were given a helping hand back into the game early in the second half when the referee awarded them a hotly disputed penalty which was converted by Connor Watson which brought a spell in which they threatened to pull the game level but Larkfield regained their momentum and regained their two goal advantage just past the hour with a close range header from Timmy Babington.

The final half-hour was one of attrition and not very easy on the eye but Larkfield saw the game out with relative ease to gain the vital three points.