The Ryman League Cup 3rd Round match, where the Angels visit the winners of Tooting & Mitcham or Carshalton, has been rescheduled for 13th January 2009. This is due to last night's postponement of the 2nd Round tie which has now been moved to the 6th January.
Saturday 27th December: Angels win again
Hastings keeper Nessling misses the in-swinging cross by Hamilton (far right, near touchline)
On a bitterly cold day at the south coast Tonbridge beat Hastings by a solitary Lewis Hamilton goal 3 minutes before the break.
The Angels starting lineup featured two key changes from the win against Canvey - both Glover and captain Storey were out under suspension so in came Tommy Tyne and Carl Rook with Jamie Cade pushed out to the left of midfield. Fraser Logan was fit again after his recent knee injury and took his place on the bench.
Tonbridge had the better of the first half in a low quality game where there were few clear-cut chances. Leon Legge's long throws caused some unrest in the Hastings penalty area on occasion but these were all eventually dealt with.
The Angels went close when John Westcott's free kick from the left was misjudged by Hastings keeper Greg Nessling and the ball passed over everyone to rebound off the woodwork and away to safety.
Westcott saw a lot of the ball on the right and put in a number of crosses but these only resulted in tame headers wide from Gooding (twice) then Rook.
Hastings had a glorious chance to take the lead when Frankie Sawyer got clean through on Lee Worgan but failed to capitalise as Phil Starkey's timely challenge enabled Worgan to clear the danger.
The winning goal came on 42 minutes. Following a Hastings corner the ball was cleared and Michael Phillips released Hamilton down the left. Under pressure from Jirbandey he turned back onto his right foot and whipped an in-swinging cross into the area. Nessling made advances to claim the ball but it caught on the wind and he could only watch as it sailed over his outstretched arms and in off the back post.
Scott Ramsey's volley, which was expertly turned round the post by Worgan, was the highlight of a forgettable second half that contained very little action of note.
Both sides did earn free kicks in a dangerous area on the edge of the box but these were blazed over harmlessly by Sam Adams and Phillips.
Legge nearly converted a Westcott free kick that was hit with pace across the area but he could not react quickly enough and could only turn the ball wide.
The Angels saw out the win as Hastings rarely threatened in the last half hour of the game.
So the Blues see out 2008 with three straight wins - all with clean sheets - and consolidate their position in third place. Ramsgate are the next opponents at Longmead on 3rd January 2009 where the Angels will be seeking revenge for the FA Trophy reverse earlier in the season.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Tyne, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Phillips, Olorunda A, Rook, Cade. Subs: Logan, Olorunda, T, Dixey, Butler,
Wednesday 24th December: Season's Greetings to All
The Hastings Utd cheerleaders provided the festive half-time entertainment at last year's fixture
The Angels travel to Hastings United on Saturday to continue the quest for more league points and strengthen their position in the Ryman Premier play-off places.
Tommy Warrilow will be hoping his side can take advantage of the poor recent form for the hosts who have only picked up 4 points in the league from a possible 18 during a recent stretch that also includes 2 cup defeats to Ryman 1 South opposition.
Anthony Storey & Simon Glover are both suspended for this game. Glover starts a 3-match ban due to the red card received at Harlow.
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Squad News: It has been confirmed that James Donovan's loan move to East Thurrock, has been made permanent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ryman Premier leading goalscorers(Saturday 20th Dec 2008. League goals only):
Richard Jolly, Carshalton Athletic 18
Billy Bricknell, Billericay Town 15
Carl Rook, Tonbridge Angels 14
Frannie Collin, Dover Athletic 12
Sean Sonner, Boreham Wood (includes 9 for Northwood) 11
Elliot Onochie, Staines Town 10
Byron Harrison, Ashford Town (Middx) 10
Frankie Sawyer, Hastings United 10
Mo Takalobighashi, Margate (includes 7 for Ramsgate) 10
Paul Vines, Tooting & Mitcham Utd 9
Rob Howarth, Dartford 9
Robin Shroot, Harrow Borough 9
... then four players on 8 goals including Jamie Cade
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May we take this opportunity on behalf of the Club to wish you all a great Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Saturday 20th December: Angels shoot down Gulls
Angels skipper Anthony Storey scores from the spot
Tonbridge comfortably saw off the challenge of fellow play-off hopefuls Canvey Island by 3-0 this afternoon.
There was just one change to the line-up that won at Harlow 7 days ago - Ade Olorunda partnering Jamie Cade up front with Carl Rook dropping to the bench.
The crowd of 446 watched a level start to the game where both teams had promising chances to take the lead. For the home side Ade Olorunda fired just over
from a tight angle whilst Michael Phillips' clever chip and John Westcott's half volley from 20 yards were both thwarted by Canvey 'keeper Ricky Wiseman.
Pacy Leon Antoine had been troubling the Angels back four from the kick off and, after firing one effort wide, he nearly capitalised on an error by Worgan. The home keeper made a real mess of an
attempt to clear a back-pass but just managed to recover the situation via a slide tackle on Antoine before the striker was able pull the trigger. Shortly afterwards Antoine was forced out of the
game as he suffered a serious-looking shoulder injury when he fell awkwardly during a challenge on Legge.
The opening goal of the game came on the half-hour mark. Simon Glover marauded in from the left flank but was upended in the box by a combination of Wiseman
and defender Halle. Anthony Storey converted the spot kick high to Wiseman's left.
Jamie Cade doubled the lead 4 mins before the break finishing off the best move of the game. Cade released Westcott down to the goal-line and he swung a ball to the
back of the area. Glover headed the cross powerfully goalwards and Wiseman was equal to it with a full-stretch save but could only parry it into the path of Cade who volleyed home from 2 yards with ease.
The second period got underway with Canvey the more determined of the teams but, despite forcing a number of corners early on, failed to really test Worgan.
Tonbridge seemed content with the lead and the game fell a bit flat. Westcott did have one great chance from close range but it was well blocked.
With 20 mins to go the visitors were reduced to 10 men when striker Ainsley received a second yellow for a blatant trip on Starkey.
With the man advantage the Blues took a firm hold on the game and it was no surprise when they scored a third - substitute Carl Rook completing the victory in the dying minutes with a well taken volley after a great run and cross from the right by Storey.
The win moves The Angels up one place to third in the table. They now look ahead to meeting Hastings in a week's time as they aim to continue the festive mood with another 3 points.
Saturday 13th December: Angels beat Hawks with 10 men
Tonbridge players congratulate Simon Glover
Carl Rook celebrates his goal
The Angels kept a clean sheet for the first time in 13 attempts as they beat Harlow Town 2-0 this afternoon.
Tommy Warrilow made a few, mainly positional, changes from the team that lost last weekend - Tommy Tyne's suspension handing Michael Phillips a start alongside Storey in the centre and Simon Glover positioned on the left of midfield due to Fraser Logan twisting a knee in training (that could put him out of action for a month). Ade started on the bench alongside four reserve players - all those who saw action against Merstham in the RL Cup.
With a very slippery Barrow Farm surface and intense driving rain the first half saw many stoppages, bookings and lengthy lecturing by the referee. These did not allow either side to get any sort of momentum going but, nevertheless, all the incidents still made it a very entertaining encounter.
After an even start the game exploded after just seven minutes with a fracas in the Harlow penalty area that saw the referee put 4 names in his book. Keeper Hassell, whose retaliation on Carl Rook had started the episode, was lucky to escape a sending off appearing to push Rook over by thrusting the ball in his face.
Harlow went close when a Gliddon free kick passed everyone and Lee Worgan, seeing it late, expertly turned it round the post.
Worgan was brought to action again when he pushed a great strike by Lalite, that was heading just inside the post, away for a corner at full stretch.
At the other end a Michael Phillips shot was deflected just over the bar, Legge headed tamely over from a corner and Rook looked to have a good case for a penalty after being brought down off the ball. The Angels best chance of the half occurred when a Glover corner to the back post saw the ball bobble towards goal off a defender before it was cleared off the line with Gooding just failing to make contact. In injury time Cade drilled a shot just wide with Hassell beaten.
In the second half the card count continued to rise despite it not being a particularly bad-tempered game. Harlow, who seemed more content with winning the physical battle rather than the footballing one, rarely troubled Worgan in the second period.
The Angels opened the scoring on 56 mins when Cade's attempted pass to Rook was deflected into the path of Glover who ran through the back four unchallenged to fire under the advancing Hassell and into to net.
A Storey speculative effort from 25 yds went just over before goalscorer Glover received his marching orders having been adjudged to use his elbow in an aerial challenge.
Even with just 10 men the Blues continued to have the better of the possession and chances. Rook extended the lead with 11 minutes of the game remaining when he gladly accepted a poor back pass and fired into the top corner from 12 yards.
Phillips had his close range effort well blocked by Hassell after Rook had done all the hard work and created the chance. In injury time Storey was thwarted again by Hassell after a clever back heel by Rook had put him clean through.
This result lifts Tonbridge one place into 4th on equal points with Canvey Island who are the Angels next opponents at Longmead in 7 days time.
Saturday 13th December 1030am: Harlow game ON (at the moment)
The club contacted Harlow Town FC at around 10 AM this morning and the game is definately on with no problems expected and little rain about.
Go to the Forum to get any updates on the situation.
Thursday 11th December: Cramp out on loan
Ahead of Saturday's Ryman Prem clash at Harlow there are currently no injuries to report prior to tonights training session. Tommy Tyne would have been a doubt, due to the heavy knock received against Wealdstone, but he is completing a one match suspension anyway.
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Other squad news: Reserve captain Mike Cramp has joined Martin Grant on a month's loan at Chatham Town. Also we have been informed that here is to be a feature on Anthony Storey in this Sunday's Non League Paper.
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Half-Yearly Season Tickets are currently available at a cost of £85 (Adult). With 11 home league games remaining this represents excellent value at over 20% discount on individual match admissions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ryman Premier leading goalscorers(Saturday 6th Dec 2008. League goals only):
Richard Jolly, Carshalton Athletic 18
Billy Bricknell, Billericay Town 13
Carl Rook, Tonbridge Angels 12
Frannie Collin, Dover Athletic 11
Elliot Onochie, Staines Town 10
Byron Harrison, Ashford Town (Middx) 10
Sean Sonner, Boreham Wood (includes 9 for Northwood) 10
Mo Takalobighashi, Margate (includes 7 for Ramsgate) 9
Paul Vines, Tooting & Mitcham Utd 9
Frankie Sawyer, Hastings United 9
... then nine players on 7 goals including Jamie Cade
Sunday 7th December: Angels lose to Stones
Leon Legge's scoring header
The Angels suffered a narrow 2-1 home defeat yesterday at the hands of Wealdstone.
Just one change was made from the starting line-up at Dover - John Westcott replaced Fraser Logan. With several flu victims in the camp striker Ade Olorunda was pushed out of position to play on the left wing.
The first half hour was a fairly even affair with both sides having dominant periods and creating a number of half chances without either keeper making a save of note.
The visitors forced several corners one of which resulted in a Forbes shot being deflected dangerously just wide. Sean Thomas, in the Stones goal, comfortably dealt with all the high balls in the box which seemed to be the main tactic from the home side.
Rook did once find space to turn in the box but could only poke the ball wide. Also a Storey free kick, after Tyne was fouled on the edge of the area, was easily collected by the Stones stopper.
Wealdstone took the lead on 32 mins when the impressive Spendlove released Hicks down the left channel and he fired across Worgan and into the far corner for 1-0.
Before half time Tonbridge had two great chances to get back on terms but Ade's curled effort was well read by Thomas and Rook miscued tamely wide after getting clear of the back line.
Hamilton failed to come out for the second period and was replaced by Starkey at right back.
During the second half the Angels spent long spells in Wealdstone territory but failed to make the possession count.
On 54 mins a deep cross into the Tonbridge box resulted in the Stones going two up. Lee Worgan's shout for the ball as the cross came in was heard all round the ground but he failed to get there and Centre-Back Allan Massey rose unchallenged to nod into an empty net.
Tonbridge pressed forward again and pulled a goal back. Logan, who had just replaced Ade, was fouled down near the left corner flag and Westcott swung it in to be met by a thumping header by Leon Legge at the back post that gave Thomas no chance. In an similar situation Legge then headed just wide.
Thomas suffered a minor scare when he fumbled a corner onto Massey's back but it failed to cross the line and was cleared.
The Angels continued to look for the equaliser but it never came. After several breaks in play, due to numerous substitutions and injuries to Tyne and Davis Haule (for which Glover was lucky to stay on the pitch), the momentum was lost and the Stones saw out the victory.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Hamilton, Glover, Tyne, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Cade, Rook, Olorunda A. Subs: Logan, Starkey, Phillips, Olorunda T.
Friday 5th December: Wealdstone Preview
Wealdstone are the visitors at the Betterview Longmead Stadium tomorrow KO 15:00.
The Stones will be, potentially, much tougher opponents than the team that faced the Angels on the opening day of this season. Only recently they went on a five match winning streak which was halted by a narrow defeat to runaway leaders Dover. They
have made some shrewd signings of late namely Danny Spendlove (Cambridge City) and Davis Haule who was part of last season's Staines outfit who so nearly clinched promotion. Angels fans will recall Spendlove scoring the opener for Ware in the painful FA Cup defeat last season.
Tonbridge keeper Lee Worgan has declared himself fit following the injured knee he suffered last Saturday that kept him out of midweek action. Leon Legge and Ade Olorunda have both served their 1 match bans (for 5 cautions) and are available for selection.
There is no news on Tommy Tyne, who strained a calf at Merstham, but both Jamie Cade and Lewis Hamilton hope to have recovered sufficiently from the flu to be available.
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Other squad news: reserve keeper Martin Grant is due to join Chatham Town on loan.
Tommy Tyne collected his 5th booking against Dover and misses the Ryman Premier game at Harlow (13th December) due to suspension.
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The 3rd round of the Ryman League Cup was drawn today.
The Angels will visit the winners of the 2nd round tie Tooting & Mitcham v Carshalton Athletic (30th December).
Subject to confirmation our game is due to take place on Tuesday 6th January 2009.
Tuesday 2nd December: Cup glory at last!
Fraser Logan steers in the Angels 3rd goal
A strong second half performance saw The Angels overcome Merstham 5-2 and go through to the 3rd round of the league cup.
For this tie TW fielded a squad consisting of 4 reserves plus new face Kevin George. Martin Grant made his 2nd first team appearance of the season as Lee Worgan was allowed to rest the injured knee he acquired on Saturday. Paul Butler partnered Gooding at the back whilst Phillips made a rare start. This tie was also useful in accommodating the one match bans due for Legge and Ade Olorunda.
The Angels started at pedestrian pace and Merstham's Mark Simmons took full advantage taking the ball to the edge of the box and knocking it past a wrong-footed Grant for a soft opener (4 mins).
Tyne limped off with a calf problem with barely 20 mins on the clock giving George his debut. Up to this point Tonbridge had rarely troubled the Merstham goal whilst the hosts were winning the midfield battle and creating the better chances with Grant the busier of the keepers. The forced change seemed to have a positive effect and the Angels pressed forward forcing a number of corners. From a half-cleared corner Gooding whipped in a quality ball from the right wing and Westcott headed home the equaliser.
The more the sticky Moatside pitch began to cut up the more Tonbridge improved and slowly they began to dominate the game with most of the attacks coming down the right flank. A diagonal cross into the box by Starkey was helped in by Rook for the first of his brace.
Shortly after Logan added a third side-footing a loose ball into the corner of the net beyond the reach of the diving keeper.
Rook then scored the best goal of the game. Storey intercepted a midfield pass and released a neat through ball between the back line for Rook who slid the ball, first time, under the onrushing keeper for 4-1.
Merstham pulled a goal back when a firm shot from 20 yds cannoned off the outside of the post and ran down towards the corner flag. The ball was quickly lofted back into the area over Grant and bundled in at the back post, Starkey just failing to keep it out.
Sonny Miles then had a great chance to add to the scoreline but his effort was well blocked at close range by the keeper.
Storey wrapped up the game in added time converting a penalty given for handball as Westcott fired in a cross.
This positive result, especially the second half where there were some solid individual performances, will please the management team and, apart from the Tyne injury, will be seen as ideal preparation for Saturday's game against Wealdstone.
Tonbridge have their first ever meeting with Merstham FC tomorrow night in the Ryman League Cup 2nd Round.
Merstham are enjoying their inaugural season in the Isthmian League having resided for years in various Surrey and Combined Counties leagues before gaining promotion last season. They currently lie just behind the play-off positions in Ryman League 1 South but with games in hand over the teams above them.
Tommy Warrilow will be hoping to break this season's trend (so far!) of exiting all the cup competitions at the first hurdle.
Even with this in mind there is the real prospect,as was the case at Whitstable last week, of the Angels fielding a number of reserves and fringe players. For this game, as he stated on Radio Kent just after the Dover match, he is likely to be without 4 first team regulars.
Merstham FC v Tonbridge Angels. Kick off 19:45 Moatside, Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3QB.[ Merstham FC website ]
Merstham have reduced their entry priced for tomorrow night's game to Adults £6, Concessions/U16 £3.
