Tonbridge made it a maximum of six points from their last two outings with a battling performance against fellow strugglers Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow as they helped ease their relegation fears slightly. The victory means that the gap between the Angels and the bottom two has increased to ten points. Goals from Brendan Cass and Anthony Hogg were enough to snatch the visitors all three points. The game also saw a debut for prolific veteran striker Leroy Huggins who recently signed from Beckenham. It is his second stint at the club after failing to secure a regular first team place in the middle of last season.

The Angels started the brighter of the two sides with strikers Cass and Huggins linking up well in the final third. The first real attack of the game was created after just a quarter of an hour when Cass fired a left-foot shot inches over the bar after intricate interplay between loan-signing Lenny Piper and the energetic Huggins. Indeed it was Huggins who was to have the next sight at goal. John Farley crossed into the six-yard box with his weaker foot to find Huggins unmarked. Unfortunately, the marksman could not keep his header down as it ballooned over the bar, much to the disappointment of a strong away following. Tonbridge continued to attack in numbers and their policy finally paid dividends when Huggins timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and square it to Cass who gracefully accepted. It was possibly the easiest goal that he’s ever likely to score. Kingstonian just didn’t seem to get out of the starting blocks at all as they looked like a team that is skirmishing in the lower depths of the league table. Cass perhaps should have doubled Tonbridge’s advantage after 39 minutes when his low header somehow managed to scoop over the bar from all of six yards. It was a beautifully weighted cross by Piper from the left wing to set up the chance. On the stroke of half time, the Angels had yet another chance to put the game beyond doubt when Huggins beat three defenders before curling his right-footed effort inches wide of the upright. The first half was no more than a one-sided affair.

The interval certainly seemed to benefit the home side, as they looked refreshed and eager for an improvement on their first half showing. They showed much more purpose and conviction unlike the earlier display. Striker Dwayne Plummer had a good chance at the beginning of the second period when his free kick went close. The action turned scrappy after this as both sides tried to regain possession. Tonbridge were defending their lead whilst the home side were trying everything possible to salvage an equaliser. On the hour mark, Craig Roser was adjudged to have brought down Giles Coke in the penalty area, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a spot kick. Phil Ruggles stepped up only to see his kick expertly saved by the fingertips of Jamie Turner. The penalty was by no means a poor one but Turner pulled off an exceptional one handed save to keep Tonbridge ahead. Kingstonian’s pressure finally paid off just a minute later when the referee gave a controversial free kick on the edge of the area. Kenny Ojukwa flicked on Martyn Lee’s cross and debutant Rob Paris bundled the ball home. The Angels recaptured the lead with just ten minutes remaining when the home side failed to clear a simple cross. The ball fell nicely for Anthony Hogg to drive in the winner, with the aid of the inside of the post.

Report by: Gary Cornwell