Boreham Wood 'keeper Anstead tips over Scott Gooding's backheader.
The Angels maintained their excellent away form with a 2-0 win at Boreham Wood this afternoon. Both goals came in the second half courtesy of an Anthony Storey free kick and a Scott Gooding header late on.
Tommy Warrilow made just one change from the win in mid-week bringing in Simon Glover to left back and switching Lewis Hamilton to the opposite flank to cover for an unfit Phil Starkey.
Leon Legge was once again playing the target man role as Carl Rook started a 2-match suspension.
The first half was poor by any standard as both teams failed to construct anything significant until the 26th minute when 'Wood keeper Anstead had to stretch to tip over a Scott Gooding backheader following a Legge long throw,
As half-time approached the home side went close when Lee Worgan had to first save and then paw the ball away from under the bar after his defence failed to deal properly with a corner. In the final action of the half Jamie Cade attempted a bicycle kick but it went safely over.
The game seemed to open up a little more after the break when chances became more frequent. Shortly after the start John Wescott crossed in for Phillips but his close range header was saved by Anstead.
As they began to dominate the Angels started looking for the goal in earnest as Phillips, Storey (twice) and Tim O all had shots from outside the box.
At the other end Mario Noto tried his luck from about 25 yrds out with a belting drive and, although Worgan made no attempt and looked to have it well covered, in truth it only missed the post by a whisker bending wide at the last second.
The opening goal came in the 72nd minute. Fraser Logan had collected the ball and was running left to right across the front of the penalty area when he was felled by Wordsworth on the edge of the 'D'. Storey, having gifted Anstead with a flighted ball from a similar free kick in the first half, this time hit it straight between the defenders
and into the net.
Boreham Wood's big # 5 Curtis Ujah, who was their best player on the day by a mile having kept Legge in check for most of the 90 mins, was then expelled from the game after earning a second yellow card for stopping a certain attempt on goal by handling the ball after Cade had appeared to beat the offside trap.
The game was wrapped up three minutes from time when Logan, who had switched flanks, delivered in a right wing cross that was missed by all the defenders and Gooding nipped in blind side to steer the ball past Anstead from a yard out.
Next up for the Blues is AFC Hornchurch who visit Longmead next Saturday. The game will use a special red ball as the Ryman League are, this year, fully supporting the Comic Relief appeal.
Angels: Worgan, Hamilton, Glover, Olorunda T, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Cade, Phillips, Logan. Subs: Starkey, Tyne, Butler, Miles.
Friday 27th February: Borehamwood Preview
Jon Main scoring the first of his brace in last season's 4-0 win at Meadow Park.
Tomorrow the Angels travel to Hertfordshire to face Borehamwood FC.
Last season saw the Blues win 4-0 with two goals apiece from Fraser Logan and Jon Main. With the Angels riding high at the top of the away form table they go into the game high in confidence following the win at home on Tuesday.
The list of absentees though suspension or injury seems no shorter tonight although there is an outside chance that Tommy Tyne and Ade Olorunda may make the bench. It is no secret that Tommy Warrilow has been trying to make one or two rapid signings before the game to bolster the squad but, if these do not come off, he knows that the game can definately be won with the 11 who played so well in midweek.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The club have announced a fixture date change. The away game at Tooting and Mitcham, previously scheduled for Saturday 11th April 2009 has been brought forward a day to Good Friday 10th April 2009 kick off 15:00.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Following the bucket collections that took place last Saturday during the Sutton home game, Roger Maddams has announced that £703 was raised for Cardiac Risk In The Young: "As ever, Shan and the backroom staff at the Angels were magnificent in making us feel so at home there, and Sutton's chairman Bruce Elliott has invited us to Sutton's ground later in the season at Easter for the local derby with Carshalton to perform a similar collection."
Tuesday 24th February: Legge seals Angels win
Leon Legge scored the only goal of an entertaining game to get the Angels back to winning ways.
The goal came in the 31st minute as Legge, who was the target man for the night, slid home a Jamie Cade centre. Leon was a constant threat and could have had another three in the second half but for poor finishing and good goalkeeping by Richard Stroud.
With a number of injuries carried over from the weekend, plus Lee Minshull's suspension, Tommy Warrilow chose to push Leon Legge into a make-shift striker role - an option to Leon's game that was used successfully at his former club Lewes.
The Robins, who were looking to continue the run of 15 games unbeaten, kept faith with rookie 'keeper Richard Stroud after his debut at Dover 10 days ago.
The league's top scorer Richard Jolly started whilst Junior Kadi, who caused so many problems for the Angels defence in the Cup meeting, was dropped to the bench.
The Angels started brightly enjoying space and possession in the opening minutes. A through ball was cleverly flicked on by Legge to Phillips running in on goal but Toppin just beat him to the ball to concede a corner.
Carshalton's first worthwhile attack came soon after - Jolly receiving the ball from Clarke, turned Gooding with ease, and then curled a shot just wide of the right-hand upright.
The home team added to their injury woes as Phil Starkey was replaced after only 24 mins with an ankle problem.
Ex-Angel Mike Power then went close firing in from a tight angle before immediately lobbing the rebound just wide after Worgan's save went straight back to him.
The only goal of the game was well crafted. Fraser Logan went on a mazy run for ages down the left wing turning Graves a number of times before creating the space to cut infield. He slipped a neat ball forward between defenders to Cade who crossed first time along the 6 yard line. Legge, tracked closely by Carpenter, raced in at the back post to thump the ball home.
Before half-time, Westcott went very close when putting a left-footed shot just past the upright.
Within seconds of the kick off in the second half Legge had a great chance to extend the lead. Westcott dispossessed Gonsalves and put Leon clean through with only Stroud to beat. He chose to shoot early but fired harmlessly wide.
Two mins later Legge is through again. This time he took it further before striking for goal but Stroud, advancing from his line, got lucky as the close range shot deflected off his trailing leg and went just wide.
Carshalton now have their best period of the game that include a couple of penalty shouts. Stevens spurned their best opportunity to equalise. He recieved the ball 25 yards out and advanced on goal. After sidestepping Gooding he fired powerfully and low from about 12 yards but it was too close to Worgan who saved with his legs. Dwaine Clarke then tried his luck from a 25 yrd free kick but it went well over.
After Glover was felled out on the left touchline, Westcott launched an inswinging free kick into the danger zone. Legge sneaked around the back of everyone to produce a powerful downward header but Stroud saved well.
Another good move carved a chance for Scott Gooding. A Logan back heel freed Cade down to the goal line. His cross found the unmarked defender but his header goes over.
The last 15 minutes saw the game open up with potential breakaways from both sides but the Angels see out the win. Over the 90 mins they were good value for the 1-0 and it could easily have been more against a Robins side that didnt quite live up to expectations on the night.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, T Olorunda, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Cade, Phillips, Logan. Subs: Glover, Miles, Butler, Collins, Grant
Saturday 21st February: Unbeaten run ends
Sutton 'keeper Nicholls keeps out Westcott's close range effort
Legge scores the Angels' consolation goal
Sutton came out on top in a tense, scrappy contest that will be talked about for a long time for, unfortunately, one unsavoury incident rather than football that had been witnessed.
With midfielder Tyne still out with a thigh injury, new signing Minshull suspended and Leon Legge back Tim Olorunda was pushed forward to gain a rare start in centre midfield. Phillips was demoted to the bench as Tommy Warrilow reverted back to 4-4-2 with Jamie Cade partnering Carl Rook.
Ade O didn't feature today but was seen hobbling around the ground so presumably had picked up an injury in training.
With so much at stake in the race for the play-offs the first half, understandably, started very cagily.
The first real chance fell to the home side. A long ball downfield by Storey gave Rook a clear run on goal courtesy of a Tim Bond slip but, with just Nicholls to beat, the Angels top scorer fired well over.
On 24 minutes there was pandemonium in the Angels penalty area as several Sutton shots on goal in quick succession were spurned by the Blues defence. A Matt Hann strike from the right was saved by Lee Worgan. The ball bounced straight back to Hann who struck a volley this time against Worgan's legs.
Chukki Eribenne followed up but a combination of Worgan and a prostrate Gooding kept the ball out of the net to appeals of handball. With Worgan stranded the wrong side of his area the ball ran loose across goal to McCullum who looked a certainty to score but was thwarted by Hamilton.
Then came the astonishing incident that must surely have repercussions for the visitors. After a late tackle on Legge by Eribenne earned the U's their 3rd caution of the half, the game of football was forgotten as the tension turned into aggression when both benches emptied onto the pitch exchanging angry words.
Several players from both sides joined in the fracas when suddenly a non-playing Sutton official appeared to kick Storey to the ground. What had started as 'handbags' had suddenly dimished to thuggery and particular individuals had to be restrained. Once order had been restored the referee rightly sent the offender
publically across the pitch to the dressing rooms amidst some colourful chanting from the home supporters.
The Angels then let slip a great chance to take the lead. Rook's first time attempt from Glover's cross was mishit across goal. Westcott raced in to connect to the unintentional pass but Nicholls, diving at full length, pushed the point-blank effort onto the post. Agonisingly for the home team, the ball ran behind him and along the goal line before being cleared by Collins.
The opening goal was a comical gift for Sutton in first half injury time. A routine cross from the left was cushioned back to his keeper by Legge. Unfortunately Worgan was behind Legge waiting to collect and the header trickled into the open goal to give the visitors the lead.
The second half saw less meaningful action although the Blue's had slightly more of the play territorially. Nicholls saved a Rook shot diving to to his left and then McCullum put one wide before Rook was found in space by Starkey. A bad first touch allowed Nicholls and sub Lubwana to pounce on Rook to snuff out the chance and Logan followed up firing tamely wide.
On 80 minutes the U's doubled their lead when Dundas fired into the roof of the net from the left side of the penalty box after clever interplay with McCullum.
Four minutes from time it was 0-3 as McCullum, after receiving the ball down near the corner flag outwitting two defenders and getting a lucky break off the third, cut in from the left and fired low across Worgan into the far corner.
There was still time for Legge to claim a consolation goal as he sidefooted home a Phillips lay-off.
Certainly not the performance nor the result that the club and fans were looking for as we begin run of tough matches against the sides in contention at the top of the table.
Attention now turns to Carshalton who visit Longmead on Tuesday, kick-off 19:45.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, T Olorunda, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Cade, Rook, Glover. Subs: Logan, Phillips, Butler, Dixey
Thursday 19th February: Sutton Preview
There is no doubting the importance of the next few league games as the Angels move into a crucial stage of the season. The forthcoming clashes with their immediate play-off rivals - Sutton, Carshalton (twice), Hornchurch and
Staines - will further shape the look of the top places as we approach the final 10 games in the run-in for promotion.
First up are Sutton United who are this weekend's visitors to Longmead.
Back in November the two teams shared the points with the U's coming back to strongly to equalise 3-3 after the Angels had taken a two goal lead into the break.
Whilst the Angels look to extend their current unbeaten run of eight games, Sutton have failed to win in four since a streak of six wins saw them rise rapidly into the play-off positions around the turn of the year.
Tommy Tyne (thigh) is a definate casualty. Leon Legge and Jamie Cade are both expected to return, following the completion of one match suspensions, whilst new signing Lee Minshull starts a three match ban from the red card received in his final game for Ramsgate.
Sutton currently have a couple of first choice defenders out injured but top scorer McCallum and impressive midfielder Dundas are set to start.
The game is being sponsored by the family of Jack Maddams - the promising U18 player who passed away suddenly
a year ago this month. Check out this important message from Roger Maddams on the forum [ here ].
Ryman Prem, Saturday 21st Feb: Tonbridge Angels v Sutton Utd, kick-off 15:00. Venue: Longmead Stadium.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several of the first team squad turned out for the reserves on Wednesday at Crowborough Athletic. The game was
won by a single Fraser Logan goal in a game largely dominated by the Angels. A report on the game can be found here [ Report ].
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow night (Friday) the Supporters Association will be hosting their regular general knowledge quiz in the Longmead Lounge.
Teams of 4-6 are welcome. There is a small entry fee of £2.50 (£2 for members) and it all starts at 8 pm sharp.
Tuesday 17th February: Rook seals new deal
Prolific striker Carl Rook has signed a new contract that seals his future with the Angels until May 2011.
Carl's goal-scoring record for the Angels since his debut in Dec 2007:
Appearances 47 + 5 as sub, Goals 40.
Saturday 14th February: Stalemate at Horsham
Scott Gooding pressurises Tolfrey, Minshull looks on
Carl Rook gets clear of Acheampong
Horsham and Tonbridge battled out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Woodside Road stadium earlier today.
The Angels made several changes from their last league game two weeks ago to facilitate suspensions, injuries and also give Lee Minshull his debut before
he starts a 3-match ban. Out went Legge, Cade, Tyne and Logan replaced by Tim Olorunda, Minshull, Michael Phillips and Simon Glover. Carl Rook played the lone striker role with a packed 5-man midfield behind him.
This match was a far cry from a bore draw the final score suggests although he first period was a frantic paced, niggly affair with few clear cut chances. The nearest anyone came to a goal was when Phillips headed John Westcott's free kick over
Hornet's keeper Tolfrey and into the net but it was ruled out for offside.
The referee had to wave his yellow card six times before the break as the play, at times, degenerated to poor discipline and the odd agricultural challenge. The defences remained on top
until the break as neither keeper was really tested.
The second half started in the same vein but after a hour the game came alive and, before the end, both teams were guilty of spurning several glorious chances to take all of the points.
On 50 mins Minshull's shot was deflected into the ground and it bounced up with pace towards goal but Tolfrey managed to turn it over.
Substitute Ade O got to the by-line and found Rook on the edge of the goal area. The Angels top scorer quickly steered the ball towards goal but full-back Page threw himself in the way to block with Tolfrey beaten.
Horsham then had two great chances to score. Firstly Budd found Savage in space with Starkey caught downfield out of position. Lee Worgan raced out from base and narrowed the angle. Savage still managed to get a shot away but it misses the near post by a good couple of yards.
Then probably the best chance of the game sees Claude Seanla meet a Savage cross on the full but he blazed it high over the bar from just six yards out.
Ade and Fraser Logan both fired just wide before a poor goal kick by Tolfrey went straight to the feet of Rook to give him the perfect opportunity just into added time. Tolfrey made amends as he forced the Angels' target man wider than he would have liked and turned the shot out for a corner.
The final action of the game saw Storey put a free kick tamely wide from the edge of the penalty area after Ade was felled.
Overall a fair result that extends the Angels unbeaten run to eight games. They now face Sutton and Carshalton in two extremely tough games at Longmead that will surely further shape the play off picture.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Minshull, T Olorunda, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Phillips, Rook, Glover. Subs: Logan, A Olorunda, Butler, Dixey
Friday 13th February: Angels sign Lee Minshull
The club today announced the signing of Lee Minshull from Ramsgate. The 23 year old midfielder will be available for selection at Horsham tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The away fixture at Staines has now been rearrange to Tuesday 17th March 2009 @ 19:45.
Thursday 12th February: Horsham Preview
Tommy Tyne rounds Paul Seuke to score the Angels third goal in last season's visit
The Angels go on the road to face Horsham this coming weekend in a game that once again pitches manager Tommy Warrilow and assistant Cliff Cant against their former club.
Barely a month into the start of their reign here at Longmead the duo saw their team hit with a footballing lesson as old boss John Maggs' eleven dished out 1-5 home drubbing. But since then the tables have been turned and the Angels have enjoyed 3-0 and 4-0 victories.
Saturday's encounter will have a different edge now that the Hornets play a full 19 miles down the A24 in Worthing, their Queen Street ground being sold off for redevelopment.
With two key suspensions ,(Legge & Cade) plus a thigh injury making Tommy Tyne a doubt, TW is forced to rejig the starting line-up that has done so well in recent games. This may open the door to a midfield debut for the potential
new signing that has been reported in the press - although up to late yesterday, we understand, the signing had still not quite been finalised.
Ryman Prem, Saturday 14th Feb: Horsham v Tonbridge Angels, kick-off 15:00. Venue: Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The very late postponement of the Billericay game last weekend caused some consternation amongst both sets of fans and club officials. For the second time in a month up to 100 Angels fans made an unnecessary round trip of 80+ miles due to the indecisiveness of match officials. It did, however, give the Club Secretary the
opportunity to quickly rearrange the game with Billericay to Tuesday 7th April 2009 @ 19:45.
The away game at Staines, postponed on the 10th Jan, is still to be arranged. It is unlikely this will be played until well into March at the earliest.
Tuesday 10th February: Grand Easter Raffle
Yes its back for the 6th year!
Regular visitors to Longmead will be familiar with the Supporters Association raffle held each Easter. Thanks to the generosity of the fans through this raffle we have raised nearly £3000 for the club over the past five years.
Once again we have some very good prizes: 1st prize - £200; 2nd prize - an adult season ticket for 2009/10; 3rd prize - £50; plus a special prize donated by the club Chairman of a full complimentary sponsorship/hospitality day for 4 people for the home league game against Dover.
Tickets are £1 and they go on sale at the next home game with the draw taking place at half time on Easter Monday 13th April (home to Hastings).
Saturday 7th February 15:00: Match OFF
The match referee called off today's game at 13:45 due to a waterlogged pitch.
Saturday 7th February 11:30: Match ON (at the moment)
A local referee has deemed the pitch playable apparently after some debate. The match referee is due at the ground around 13:00 to give the final verdict but BTFC are confident the game will go ahead.
Use the forum to keep up to date with the situation.
Friday 6th February: Pitch inspection required
Billericay Town FC have called on supporters to assist, both this evening and tomorrow morning, in helping get the New Lodge playing surface ready for tomorrow's fixture against the Angels.
There will be a pitch inspection at 11:00. Keep updated on the outcome through the [ Forum ]
If the game does go ahead, and you are unable to get into deepest Essex, the Courier are again providing a live update service [ Angels Live Updates ]
or follow the permanent link that has been added to the menu bar.
