Tonbridge ended a run of three successive defeats by dispatching of Surrey side Kingstonian thanks to two awful defensive blunders by goalkeeper Chuck Martini. New signing Loui Fazakerley opened the scoring inside the first minute and then capped off a fine debut by intercepting a short back-pass to grab his second of the evening. The impressive Martyn Lee grabbed a consolation three minutes from time with a sublime 30-yard free kick.

Ray Powell returned from suspension to replace youngster Adam O’Neill up front whilst new loan signing Loui Fazakerley partnered him. Leroy Huggins surprisingly dropped to the bench alongside reserve player Lee Kennett, Mike Cramp and Richard Ponsford.

The Angels made the perfect start to the game, scoring after just 52 seconds. The visitors won an early corner that was whipped into a dangerous area by player boss Tony Dolby. As the ball swung in, Chuck Martini failed to gather the ball cleanly and fortunately dropped straight to Fazakerley who blasted into the roof of the net from six yards. This set the tone for the remainder of the game as Kingstonian, who also got relegated from Ryman Premier Division last season, chased the game. The K’s pushed forward in the hope of an immediate leveller and had numerous chances to do so. The lively Kenny Ojukwa chested neatly before volleying at Jerome John, who palmed wide for a corner. The resulting set piece was taken by Martyn Lee and headed over. Ojukwa again and Tony Reid both had half chances but neither were able to really test the former K’s shotstopper. Recent recruit Paul Wetherall drilled a low left-footed effort, which John scrambled clear with his legs as the hosts began to pile on the pressure before the interval.

Midway through the first half, K’s were dealt a cruel blow, as Stuart Reeks had to be stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage. The speedy Mazin Ahmed replaced the unfortunate defender and instantly made an impact by dribbling past two defenders before seemingly diving in the penalty area. The Kingstonian faithful behind the goal screamed for a penalty to be awarded but the referee got the decision spot on and told Ahmed to get back up onto his feet. A couple of minutes before the half-time whistle, the Angels could well have increased their advantage as Dolby swung in a free kick but Aris and Powell couldn’t get onto the end of it. The home side probably had the better of the possession in the opening period but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net and Tonbridge went in with a slender lead.

The second half began with both sides obviously looking for an early goal. The game became stretched, resulting in more flowing football from both sides. Kingstonian were the first to have an effort on goal as Martyn Lee blasted a low effort inches wide of the upright. This served as somewhat of a wake up call for the Angels who responded by pressing for a second. Leroy Huggins blasted wide when it seemed easier to score whilst Adam O‘Neill floated a dangerous delivery across the goalmouth, but nobody was on the receiving end. Indeed, Tonbridge did make it two nil with just a quarter of an hour remaining on the clock. Julian Sills misjudged his back pass and Fazakerley ran through to place the ball past the unsure Martini. O’Neill put through Ray Powell but he was unable to hit the target. With just three minutes left, Martyn Lee grabbed a deserved consolation for the K’s via a sublime free kick from all of 30-yards. Jerome John just stood and admired the effort that was near impossible to save. Mazin Ahmed could have snatched a point for the hosts but he fired his effort over the bar, in what turned out to be the last kick of this entertaining contest.

The Angels will be pleased to get back to winning ways, especially with The F.A Trophy match against Newport IOW coming up on Saturday.

Report by: Gary Cornwell