The Angels concluded their pre-season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Kent League rivals Maidstone United. Three top quality goals from Luke Piscina, Tim Hambley and Brendon Cass secured victory on a sizzling Saturday afternoon at Longmead. The Maidstone team sheet included no less than seven former Tonbridge players.

However, it was the visitors who opened the brighter of the two sides, with former Angels defender, now Maidstone manager, Lloyd Hume going close on two occasions. Firstly with a long drive that was cleared by Turner and then a low free kick that was diverted for a corner by the ex-Gravesend shot stopper. However, It was the home side that took the lead, against the run of play, when an inadvertent back pass from another ex-angel Peter Overton found Luke Piscina who lobbed the keeper, despite coming under pressure from both keeper and defender. A rejuvenated Angels line-up took to the field for the second period, looking much sharper than their opponents, and it wasn’t long before they found themselves with a two-goal advantage. A corner from playmaker Sam Tydeman found the head of Tim Hambley, who directed his header just inside of the right hand upright for his first goal for his new club. Tonbridge then dominated proceedings and should have gone even further ahead through Sam Tydeman. The post denied him after good interplay with Brendon Cass. The home side did eventually extend their lead to three goals through Cass himself who calmly chipped the ball over the onrushing Tony Reynolds.

By Gary Cornwell