Tonbridge got back to winning ways following their midweek defeat to Kent rivals Folkestone. John Farley’s first goal for the club and strikes from player/manager Tony Dolby and Patch Blackman were enough to ensure that the Angels grabbed all three points and moved into the top half of the table again. It was also a debut for new signing Danny Lye from Welling United.

The visitors made the ideal start when they took the lead after only 70 seconds. A Sam Tydeman corner from the left was headed down by debutant Lye that the keeper could only parry onto centre back John Farley’s knee. Staines were playing some quite attractive football but without any real conviction in front of goal. Ex-Southampton and Swindon striker Craig Maskell had a shot straight at the ever-reliable Jamie Turner, as did Richard Gell and Jermaine Hunter who all failed to hit the target.

On the half an hour mark, the speedy Andre de Lisser had two golden opportunities to equalise for the Berkshire outfit. A marvellous run through the Angels defence was followed by a low drive which Turner scrambled across only to parry to the left winger again who saw his second effort fly wide of the upright. This served as a wake up call to the Angels who immediately doubled their advantage through Patch Blackman. A ball over the top of the defence from Sam Tydeman caught the Swans keeper in no mans land and the young striker calmly chipped the ball over the on-rushing keeper.

Staines did try to pull a goal back before half time only to be thwarted by the excellent Turner again. This time it was Craig Maskell who came and failed. Captain Matt Flitter had an opportunity to pull a crucial goal back for the home side but his shot was always going over the crossbar. One minute before half time, Tonbridge scored their third and final goal of the afternoon. A break from midfielder Anthony Hogg tricked the defender into making a rash challenge on the edge of the penalty area. Player manager Tony Dolby stepped up and crashed his effort into the wall. However, the ball rebounded back to him and catapulted a thunderbolt into the top left hand corner with weaker right foot.

The second period was much quieter in comparison. Staines were still enjoying a lot of possession as well as making a few half chances. On 54 minutes, Craig Maskell curled a stunning left footed goal into the roof of the net. De Lisser was still looking threatening as was Flitter and Gell. The only real effort for the visitors was when Patch Blackman was put through on goal but his clever little chip over the keeper from a tight angle went sailing over the bar.

Report by: Gary Cornwell