The Angels and the Darts drew 2-2 this afternoon in an entertaining game in front of a bumper Princes Park crowd of 1380.
Scott Gooding opened the scoring on just two minutes with a deft header from a Steve Ferguson free kick. Dartford replied a few minutes later with a Wood-Garness 20 yard shot that beat Lee Worgan easily.
Worgan then saved a penalty before Paul Booth scored his first for the Blues on 18 minutes to put the visitors back in front.
Dartford were back on terms soon after half time when Flanagan met a corner with a header.
Both teams had chances to get the win although Dartford pressed the Angels defence for long periods but Worgan was equal to it all and made several key saves to keep the score level.
Full report to follow........
The Dartford match photos can be found via the Fixtures & Results page.
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Michael Phillips has left the club by mutual consent to try and secure first team football elsewhere.
Tim Olorunda's first-half header crashes against the bar.
This afternoon the Longmead crowd witnessed an astonishing win for the 10-man Angels. With just three minutes left, and the score at 0-2, goals from Carl Rook (87), Steve Ferguson (90+3) and Fraser Logan (90+5) sealed a memorable victory.
Following the makeshift team that was seen on Tuesday this one had a more familiar look. Phil Starkey returned his regular right-back position having recovered from the ankle injury that has kept him out for the past couple of weeks. Simon Glover returned, Tim Olorunda moved to the middle of defence and Lee Minshull back into midfield.
There were home debuts for new signings Paul Booth and Ferguson.
The Tonbridge midfield and front line look a potent force as they dominated for the first half hour with Booth, Ferguson, Storey and Olorunda all going close as chance after chance was created with Ashford enjoying little forward play of note.
The visitors came more into the game as half time approached without really threatening but it was the home fans who were wondering how they were not in front come the break.
Ashford started the second half where they had left off and took advantage of some sloppy defensive play to take the lead. Starkey was caught out as he pulled up under pressure down by the corner flag looking for a free kick (which never came) allowing substitute Harris to moved infield and fire low across Worgan for 1-0.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Blues as, on 58 mins, Harrison was fouled by last-man Olorunda whilst running through on goal. The referee pointed to the spot and showed Olorunda the red card. Harrison picks himself up and dispatched the perfect penalty rifling the ball into the top corner giving Worgan no chance.
Booth then missed a absolute sitter of a header glancing wide from Ferguson's sublime cross to the back post with the keeper Ross nowhere.
It was now that the 10-men started to get on top and pressurise the Ashford defence. With just three minutes left of normal time Rook loops a header over Ross to give the Angels a lifeline.
Hope quickly turned to joy as a Storey free kick into the area is nodded down by Minshull and Ferguson, sliding in at the back post, fires the ball into the roof of the net.
Unbelievably, deep into added time with only seconds remaining, Fraser Logan hooks a powerful volley into the top corner to send the home crowd into delerium.
Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Glover, Minshull, Olorunda T, Gooding, Ferguson, Storey, Booth, Rook, Tyne. Subs: Westcott, Phillips, Logan, Olorunda A, Butler.
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The Ashford match photos can be found via the Fixtures & Results page.
Thursday 19th March: Angels sign striker Paul Booth
Tommy Warrilow further signalled the clubs serious intention to gain promotion through this seasons play-offs by today signing prolific striker Paul Booth. This high profile addition to the squad is the third in as many weeks following the aquisition of Dwain Clarke and Steve Ferguson.
Paul, who lives locally, has a strong goalscoring pedigree at all of his former clubs that include Havant & Waterlooville, Welling, Cambridge City and Lewes. Last season he topped the Conference South goalscorers table with 27 but has been dogged with injuries this year managing just 4 in all competitions. He goes straight into the squad for Saturday's encounter with Ashford Town.
Another skeleton squad is expected for the game as Jamie Cade and Leon Legge start suspensions. Phil Starkey and Dwain Clarke are both possibles for return after just failing fitness tests before the Staines match on Tuesday whilst Michael Phillips (shin) and Steve Ferguson (dead leg) both took heavy knocks during that game and may add to the injury woes.
Ryman Prem, Saturday 21th March: Tonbridge Angels v Ashford Town (Mx), kick-off 15:00. Venue: Longmead Stadium.
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The Staines match photos can be found via the Fixtures & Results page.
Tuesday 17th March: Patched-up Angels hold Staines
Leon Legge scores from a close range header.
The Angels battled back from 0-2 down to claim a well deserved point against Staines Town tonight to dent their hosts faint hopes of beating Dover to the league title.
Tommy Warrilow fielded a weakened side with several players playing out of position due to the increasing injury list. Only 3 subs were named and there was even a space on the bench for 41 year-old Reserves' Coach Micky Collins who did see action in the final minutes.
Staines took an early lead when a hopeful strike from miles out by Risbridger seemed to be well covered by Worgan until it skimmed off stand-in centreback Lee Minshull's left knee and flew in the bottom corner.
Against the run of play Risbridger doubled the lead on 77 mins when he connected perfectly with a square ball to send a rasping drive past Worgan.
The pressure exerted by Angels in the last 20 mins paid off after a number of close chances had been wasted. Following a long throw from Ferguson, Minshull looped a header back a cross goal and Leon Legge nodded home for his 9th goal of the season.
The equaliser came just into added time. After sub John Westcott had put a low ball into the box Jamie Cade stretched to toepoke the ball through 'keeper Wells' legs and it rolled towards goal. Risbridger managed to get back and clear the ball off the line but it hit Scott Gooding and flew into the top of the net.
Full report to follow....
Angels: Worgan, Olorunda T, Tyne, Minshull, Legge, Gooding, Ferguson, Storey, Cade, Rook, Phillips. Subs: Westcott, Collins, Miles.
Saturday 14th March: Angels march on towards play-offs
Tommy Tyne is felled by Robins 'keeper Phil Wilson.
The Angels made it six wins in the last seven on the road as they bounced back from last week's tame home defeat to produce a quality 3-0 win at Carshalton Athletic. Dwain Clarke scored his first for the club with an early strike and Jamie Cade added two more in the second half.
Winger Steve Ferguson, having been signed yesterday on contract to the end of next season, made an impressive debut.
Full report to follow....
Angels: Worgan, Olorunda T, Glover, Minshull, Legge, Gooding, Ferguson, Storey, Cade, Rook, Clarke. Subs: Tyne, Phillips, Westcott, Grant.
Saturday 7th March: Angels snookered as Green pots the 3 points
Debutant Dwain Clarke in action
McFarlane beats Gooding, Minshull and ex-Angel Mark Goodfellow to the ball
The Angels slumped to another home defeat against their play-off rivals as they went down to lone Dean Green strike midway through the 2nd half.
On a day when the public were asked to give generously to support the Ryman League red nose campaign the over-zealous referee (who was surely trying to impress his assessors) did his bit by brandishing out the red and yellow cards liberally to half the players on the pitch.
Full report to follow........
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Hamilton, Glover, Tyne, Legge, Gooding, Phillips, Storey, Cade, Minshull, Clarke. Subs: Westcott, Logan, Olorunda T, Starkey
Friday 6th March: Angels sign Dwain Clarke
This morning the Angels released news that they have signed Dwain Clarke from Carshalton Athletic on a free transfer.
29 year-old Dwain is an attacking player who can play on either flank or as an out-and-out striker and he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's Ryman Prem clash against AFC Hornchurch.
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The Club's main sponsor Betterview have announced they will not be renewing their sponsorship at the end of the season. The club is therefore looking for a new main sponsor for 09/10 and any interested party should contact Tonbridge Angels Club Secretary Charlie Cole (mobile 07825 702412).
Thursday 5th March: New Players to be announced
While the Angels have consolidated third place in the league over the past few weeks the chasing pack are gathering momentum as we move to the business end of the season.
Last weeks results went mostly in the Blues favour as the gap over Carshalton stretched to 7 points.
Dartford have had a great second half of the season - after not living up to expectations in the early stages - and last weekend moved into the playoff positions for the very first time.
Saturday's opponents AFC Hornchurch have failed to make the most of their games in hand recently and now look a little off the pace. They will, however, still represent a formidable challenge as was demonstrated back in October at the Bridge Avenue Stadium when
they beat Tommy Warrilow's team 3-0 in, arguably, the most comprehensive defeat of the Angels' campaign.
Although top scorer Carl Rook is unavailable (knee & suspension), the selection problems for TW have eased somewhat with Lee Minshull set to make his home debut and Tommy Tyne back in contention having scored twice for the reserves yesterday.
There are a number of options as Minshull can play in either midfield or up front plus Michael Phillips staked his claim for one of the midfield slots with one of his best games in a Blues shirt in the win at Boreham Wood.
Add to this the fact that Angels Online have learnt that the additions to the squad, that have been discussed for a couple of weeks, are now very close to being completed. The club is likely to announce these before the Ryman League fixture at Longmead this Saturday.
Ryman Prem, Saturday 7th March: Tonbridge Angels v AFC Hornchurch, kick-off 15:00. Venue: Longmead Stadium.
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The Ryman League are supporting their stationery sponsor's £500,000 fund raising drive for Red Nose Day (March 13).
All home matches played by the 66 clubs on Saturday March 7 and Saturday March 14 will feature bright red footballs. At all of these matches, collections will be made and cash collected given to Comic Relief.
