On Saturday, The Angels travelled to Surrey to take on in-form Tooting & Mitcham Utd in a top of the table clash. A goal in each half from midfielders Nick Barnes and Darren Smith was enough to ensure Tonbridge were the first side to beat The Terrors since Burgess Hill conquered them on 22nd October (some ten games ago).

Loui Fazakerley played his last game in an Angel’s shirt before returning to Conference South side Eastbourne Borough. He replaced the suspended Jay May whilst new signing Fraser Logan made his debut, in for Leroy Huggins who dropped to the bench. Luke Piscina returned from holiday on the morning of the game so he was named amongst the substitutes, alongside youngsters Adam O’Neill, Lee Kennett and Ian Parkes.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, with both sides trying to grab a stranglehold on the game. Both midfields were cancelling each other out before the visitors delivered a double blow midway through the first half. Loui Fazakerley nodded an in-swinging corner against the bar and Ryan Gray cleared the follow up header off the line with the assist of his hand. The referee was left with absolutely no choice but to give the midfielder his marching orders and send him for an early bath. Nick Barnes slotted home the resulting penalty. Vernon Francis immediately came on for Jason Pinnock in a three-man midfield. Tooting immediately had a chance to level, Gavin Grant’s pace took him clear of the Tonbridge defence but struck the ball straight at goalkeeper Jerome John. He was called into action yet again several minutes later as he pushed over a John Hastings header. Tonbridge lead by the single goal at the break.

Both sides started the second period rather tentatively in comparison to the first but still managed to create a few half chances. ‘The Terrors’ were unusually shot-shy in front of goal, and at no point did they really trouble the Angels rearguard. The pacey Grant blasted into the side netting when team-mates were available in the area and another Hastings header was easily dealt with by John. Tooting threw everything at Tonbridge in a bid to rescue a point but the Angels made the game safe with an absolute stunner of a strike from Darren Smith. With only ten minutes remaining, a throw -in was half cleared out of the area and fell kindly to Smith, who spectacularly volleyed into the top corner. A special goal which was worthy of sealing any game, as the vocal away contingent went ballistic. The Angels comfortably held on for all three points.

Darren Smith played excellently and capped a decent performance with a superb goal whilst Jerome John was his usual consistent self. Player-boss Tony Dolby will surely be delighted with an excellent debut from Fraser Logan who picked up the Angels Online Man of the Match award.

Report by: Gary Cornwell

Click here to view action photos.