The Angels edged past struggling neighbours Ashford Town by three goals to two at Homelands on Saturday, in what turned out to be a thrilling and keenly contested Kent derby. Goals from Ray Powell and Jon Main (2) were enough to clinch maximum points after Adrian Stone had levelled shortly after the interval.

With Jon Heath in Australia for a couple of months and the untimely recall of Danny Glozier to Gravesend meant that Richard Ponsford was given a rare outing in the left-back position. Danny Lye returned from injury to replace player-boss Tony Dolby in the heart of midfield whilst Darren Smith replaced Jay May, who dropped to the bench.

The Angels were quick out of the blocks and could have been ahead as early as the 11th minute as Nick Barnes blasted a long-range effort narrowly over the crossbar. It was a decisive breakaway from the impressive Darren Smith that gave Barnes the time and space to run at ex-Angel Peter Mortley before getting his shot away. Just ten minutes later, the Angels broke the deadlock as Ray Powell volleyed into the roof of the net. A Fraser Logan corner was not dealt with properly and the ball rebounded around the penalty area to Powell who needed no invitation to clinically smash the Angels into the lead. The visitors were having much more of the possession and were looking likely to increase their lead rather than Ashford grabbing an equaliser. Indeed, the lead was doubled on 38 minutes as Jon Main scored his first for his new club. A brilliantly flighted ball from Richard Ponsford proved to be inch perfect for the ex-Cray striker who neatly chipped keeper Dave Wietecha. The Angels had the ball in the back of net once more before the half-time whistle but Danny Lye was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper when following up a floated Fraser Logan cross. Tonbridge comfortably lead at the interval 2-0.

Whatever Tim Thorogood and John Cumberbatch said to their troops during the break obviously worked miracles as within minutes, Ashford were back level. Adrian Stone, recently recruited from Bromley, capitalised on a rare mistake from Mikele Czanner and then doubled his tally as he placed a curled right-footed effort low into the bottom corner. However, this wasn’t to be the end of the goalmouth action as Jon Main scored what proved to be the winning goal in 53rd minute. Another Logan corner caused havoc amongst the home defence, allowing Main to drill the ball home off the crossbar, and clinch his second of the afternoon. From then on, chances were few and far between but the Angels had a couple of glorious chances to increase their lead. Firstly, Fraser Logan drilled a shot from the edge of the area against the post and then right at the death, Ray Powell miscued when one-on-one; his left-footed strike scraped the upright. Leroy Huggins was introduced for the final couple of minutes and looked back to full fitness but was unable to make an impact on the final scoreline.

The Angels Online Man of the Match Award was given to new forward Jon Main, for the second game in a row, following his exquisite double.

Report by: Gary Cornwell