The Angels went down 3-0 in Dover this afternoon in front of a gate of 1105.
Tonbridge started the game with two changes from the side that drew with Harrow. Simon Glover coming in at left-back, Fraser Logan returning on the right side of midfield with Cade swapping flanks and John Westcott and Phil Starkey missing out.
The visitor's had the edge in the opening exchanges with Legge heading just over from a Logan corner. Worgan was brought into action on numerous occasions in the first period, most notably when he saved a Collin strike whilst he could only watched as a Fish effort was drilled just wide. The Angels had Simon Glover to thank when he rescued the ball from the goal line as Worgan was beaten by a Browning near-post flick.
Olorunda and Gooding both had close range shots blocked by committed defending as Tonbridge applied pressure during a sequence of corners and Legge long throws. At the other end the home fans were left baying for a penalty when Browning toppled over as Gooding robbed him of the ball 12 yards out but the ref played on.
So despite Dover having the better chances in the first half the Angels defence held firm and the game reached the break goal-less.
It was less that 2 minutes after the restart that the breakthrough came. With the referee mysteriously allowing play to continue as Legge was left grounded in the opposition half following an aerial collision, Dover broke forward and exploited the gap left in the back four. The ball reached Collin on the left and he cut inside Gooding and fired in a low shot across Worgan that bobbled under his left arm and into the corner of the net.
With the score at 1-0 the defining moment of the match occurred when Angels keeper Lee Worgan was injured by a late challenge from Browning (for which he was cautioned). The game was stopped for a full 5 minutes whilst Worgan received several stitches on the pitch to a gashed knee.
With no substitute keeper to turn to, Worgan continued on but his mobility was visibly hampered by the injury.
It was during the first few minutes of his recovery that Dover scored twice with comparative ease and the game was effectively over. Sammy Moore first heading in a superb cross from the right by Welford, then Ball bundling home at the far post after Storey had conceded the free kick on the left.
After this the Whites defence was rarely troubled - the Angels going closest when Tyne fired just wide - and the result sees Dover consolidate their position at the top of the league.
Tonbridge Angels: Worgan, Hamilton, Glover, Tyne, Legge, Gooding, Cade, Storey, Olorunda A, Rook, Logan. Subs: Westcott, Starkey, Phillips, Olorunda T.
Friday 28th November: Dover Preview
Tonbridge face their biggest test of the season tomorrow as they meet runaway leaders Dover at Perrys Crabble in front of a potential crowd of 1000+.
The hosts are likely to be missing 3 key players as Collin, Grazioli and Fish are all doubtful, whilst the Angels look set to start the team unchanged from their last 2 league games.
Tommy Warrilow, speaking to the local press this week, is quietly confident his improved side, who are unbeaten in 6 league outings, can dent Dover’s 100% home record and continue the run until at least the New Year.
Thursday 27th November: Carshalton (Home) date confirmed
The Ryman Premier League home fixture against Carshalton Athletic, that was postponed in November, has been rescheduled for Tuesday 20th January 2009 kick off 19:45.
Tuesday 25th November: Angels pay the penalty
Ade Olorunda attempts an audacious backheel to Carl Rook waiting in the centre
The Angels lost 5-4 on penalties tonight at Whitstable in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup. In a game largely dominated by the visitors Whitstable's Gary Sayer opened the scoring (67 mins) but Jamie Cade equalised with 8 mins left on the clock to take the tie to extra time.
Tommy Warrilow rested a number of players for this tie with Tim Olorunda and Simon Glover both starting in the middle of the back four, Michael Phillips in midfield and Danny Powell partnering Ade Olorunda up front.
In terms of possession Angels completely dominated this game from start to finish playing a patient game trying to find a way through as the Oystermen put men behind the ball. Dylan McVicar in the hosts goal, who had an outstanding night, was not really tested in the first half comfortably saving efforts from Ade, Cade, a long range attempt by Phillips and at the feet of John Westcott after he had breeched the defence.
During the first half Whitstable were limited to a few forrays upfield with Worgan just having to make some routine catches.
Tyne replaced Phillips (who was the victim of several heavy challenges) at half time and the Angels offensive trend continued. McVicar was continually at the centre of things as the Whitstable defence held firm. Dealing well with a number of crosses from the right, he tipped over a Storey shot from 20 yards, then turned a Cade effort around the post and comfortable collected from Storey.
Whitstable, who had only 2 notable shots on goal the whole game took the lead during a breakaway. Gary Sayer collecting a pass from the left back and firing inside Worgan's near post from 12 yards.
The equaliser came when McVicar missed a Westcott cross under challenge from Carl Rook. The ball dropped to Cade on the six-yard line whose chopped effort bounced in past 2 defenders on the line.
In the dying minutes Tonbridge hit the woodwork when a melee in the penalty area resulted in a defender slicing his clearance back onto his own crossbar. Cade then nearly won it in injury time but he blazed over from 8 yards.
Extra time saw the onslaught continue with Worgan a spectator. The Angels went close frequently but McVicar was equal to the challenge making a number of saves and blocks.
He produced one outstanding save as Tyne's low cross was seemingly converted by Rook but McVicar turned the ball over from point blank range.
So despite being camped in the opposition's half during the additional period the Angels could not find a way through and penalties followed. With the score at 4-4 Simon Glover's spot kick was saved and the Oystermen then scored to take them through to the next round.
Tonbridge make the short journey to the North Kent coast tomorrow night as they take on near neighbours Whitstable Town in a competitive game for the first time in over 15 years.
That last visit to The Belmont Ground - in March 1993 - was towards the end of our championship winning season in the Kent League and we suffered a 0-1 defeat.
Both clubs have moved on from the depths of county football since and Angels fans will be expecting a positive result considering the current gap in terms of league status - Tonbridge flying high in the play-off positions in the Ryman Premier whilst the 'Oystermen' currently languish in the bottom three of Ryman 1 South.
Manager Tommy Warrilow will not be taking this game lightly, however, as the hosts have a good record in cup competitions recently taking the Kent Senior Trophy in 06/07.
In the past we have seen these games as opportunities to blood fringe players and it remains to be seen if the key first team players will be used on Tuesday or rested in preparation for what will be a tough visit to league leaders Dover next weekend.
First Round Draw:
Cray Wanderers 1 v 2 Ramsgate (11/11/08)
Welling United 3 v 2 Sittingbourne (11/11/08)
Thamesmead Town 3 v 1 Ashford Town (19/11/08)
Chatham Town v Folkestone Invicta (25/11/08)
Maidstone United v Margate (25/11/08)
Ebbsfleet United v Dover Athletic (25/11/08)
Whitstable Town v Tonbridge Angels (25/11/08)
Bromley v Dartford (09/12/08)
Saturday 22nd November: Lightning strike catches the Angels cold
Scott Gooding's aerial battle
Rook closes in on Baptiste
Tonbridge and Harrow Borough battled out a 1-1 draw at Longmead this afternoon.
With Fraser Logan a victim of the flu, the Angels started this game with John Westcott returning to the right of midfield and Jamie Cade switching to the left.
During the week Tommy Warrilow had made public a desire for 'no complacency' following his team's outstanding display against Dartford.
Alas his words went unheeded as Harrow took the lead straight from the kick off - Dewayne Clarke pouncing to profit on some hesitant defending after just 14 seconds.
From the kick off Harrow pushed the ball back to Ryan Watts who sent the ball long over the Angels back four into no-mans land.
As Worgan rushed out from base it was almost deja vous the opening day sending off for the Angels number 1 but, unlike Wealdstone, Lee hesitated momentarily and Clarke slid the ball past him and into the empty net from 20 yards.
The rest of the first half was fairly even as both teams created a few half chances but nothing of real note. A visibly under-par Angels going closest with a Jamie Cade effort that was comfortable smothered by a competent Baptiste in the Harrow goal.
The game continued in the same vein until just after the hour mark when the game sprang into life albeit too briefly. First Clarke broke free of full back Phil Starkey and powered in a shot from the left that Worgan saved superbly.
Then moments later the Angels equalised. A Leon Legge long throw into the box was half cleared to Carl Rook. He neatly laid the ball back to captain Anthony Storey who fired into the top corner from 18 yards (65 mins).
Just after the restart Harrow Centre-Back Tobi Jinadu broke forward for the first time in the game and unleashed a stunning drive from a full 35 yards that, with Worgan well beaten, hammered against the upright and rebounded away to safety.
In the return attack Starkey and Westcott combined on the right for Westcott to send in a cross that was met by Ade Olorunda whose header skimmed off the crossbar.
After the mad 10 minutes the final period of the game saw several attacks by the home side, who seemed more determined than Harrow to look for a winner, but all were comfortably seen off by the visitors.
Today's starting line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Tyne, Legge, Gooding, Westcott, Storey, Olorunda A, Rook, Cade. Subs: Logan, Phillips, Glover, Olorunda T.
The Angels travel to Whitstable in mid week to start this season's Kent Senior Cup campaign.
Wednesday 19th November: Over half-price entry for Families this Saturday
The club have today announced the 'Family Day' special promotion for this coming Saturday's game against Harrow Borough.
Admission for a group of 2 adults and 2 children (under 16) will cost just £12. This represents a discount on normal prices of over 50%.
This is for ground entry only - the West Stand seating charge applies to all.
The promotion will also be advertised in the local press (Courier & Kent Messenger) this coming Friday.
Longmead Stadium Admission Prices 22th Nov 2008:
Adult Ticket: £10
O.A.P Ticket: £5
Student Ticket: £5
Child Ticket (U16): £3
Family Ticket (2 x Adult and 2 x Child): £12
Tuesday 18th November: Hat-Trick for Rook as Angels win
Rook scoring his second goal
Striker Carl Rook nets a hat-trick as Tonbridge outclassed Dartford 4-1 this evening in front of a bumper midweek crowd of 703.
Angels took to the field with the same line-up that saw off Hendon at the weekend. One noticible absentee from the bench was Luke Piscina who has reportedly been released by the club.
It did not take long for Tonbridge to continue with their recent high goal scoring form. With just 3 minutes on the clock a Lewis Hamilton cross into the box was miscued backwards by McDevitt looping nicely into the path of Rook who steered the ball past Young.
The lead was short-lived as the impressive Cody McDonald equalised following a great run with the ball into the left corner then, outwitting Legge, he cut inside and unleashed a low drive from 18 yards that beat Worgan's right hand albeit courtesy of a slight deflection.
These early exchanges suggested there were more goals to come in this game as both teams forward play seemed to have the upper hand over the opposition defence.
Several chances were produced by both sides during remainder of the first half. Most notably for Tonbridge was Rook failing to make the most of a one-on-one with Young and an Ade Olorunda header being ruled out through an infringement by Jamie Cade on a defender. Also Dartford's Butterworth blazed high and wide when it looked easier to score.
In the dying seconds of the half Rook then scored the goal of the game - and one of the best seen at Longmead for some time - when his superb strike from the left edge of the penalty area dipped over Young and into the top corner of the net.
Tonbridge were fairly dominant in the second half although several were booked which was more down to over-zealous refereeing and level of their commitment than to poor discipline. Tommy Tyne for the third match running as he clattered Osborne into the hoardings early on in the half.
Rook had claims for a possible penalty as Coyle's arm seemed to block his attempt on goal as the right-back threw himself at the ball.
Young then punched the air as Storey swung in a free kick. The loose ball trickling off the post and wide with Rook just failing to touch it in.
Rook headed into Young's arms then Ade headed wide before Tyne claimed his first of the season on 70 mins. Dartford failed to clear a corner and the ball fell nicely to Tyne in the 'D' who, appearing off-balance, flicked it forward first time and inside the post for 3-1.
Logan was replaced by John Westcott who immediately went close screwing his shot across goal and wide.
With 8 mins left Rook laid claim to the match ball has he chipped the loose ball over Young after the 'keeper failed to hold Ade's thumping drive.
Today's starting line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Gooding, Legge, Tyne, Storey, Cade, Olorunda A, Rook, Logan. Subs: Westcott, Phillips, Glover, Olorunda T
Monday 17th November: Dartford Preview
Dartford are the visitors to Longmead tomorrow evening as the Angels prepare for their first home fixture for over 3 weeks.
Following their promotion from Ryman 1N last season the Darts were tipped in some quarters as one of the pre-season favourites. So far they have yet to fulfil these expectations having made what can be best described as a stuttering start to the campaign.
Having failed to score a goal or realise a point from the opening three games there has been some recovery since with excellent wins against the likes of Horsham and current playoff contenders Maidstone Utd and Tooting & M.
They come into this game, however, on the back of two straight defeats and with the Angels in a fine run of form that has see them move up to third spot in the league, and in the process score 13 times in the last three games, the home fans will be hoping for another positive result.
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At the game we will be welcoming the Mayors of both Tonbridge and Dartford who will be attending in their official capacity.
Also just before kick off there will be a cheque for £500 presented by the club to the Kent Air Ambulance. This was the money raised from the Alan Rogers testimonial game back in September.
Saturday 15th November: Cade double lifts the Angels
Tommy Tyne
Jamie Cade celebrates his 2nd goal with the fans
A Jamie Cade double in a four minute spell midway through the second half helps secure a 3-1 victory against Hendon. The win propels the Angels into the Ryman Premier top three.
Tommy Warrilow made one change from the starting line-up at Sutton in midweek - Carl Rook replacing John Westcott with Jamie Cade dropping back to fill the right midfield position.
Tonbridge started brightly and early pressure was rewarded after just 5 minutes when Cade released Rook who superbly chipped the stranded Wilmot, in the Hendon goal, from the right corner of the penalty area.
Despite having the majority of the play in the first half the Angels failed to find another breakthrough although Ade Olorunda went close when he fired in from the left beating the keeper but also the bar.
Also an Anthony Storey shot from outside the box took a wicked deflection but just went wide.
At the other end Worgan was never really tested making some routine catches including comfortably saving one Charlie Mapes strike.
Hendon came out in the second half much more determined and the Angels were constantly on the back foot until about the hour mark, the back line holding firm.
As they pushed forward Tonbridge started to exploit the spaces on breaks and during one of these a Rook shot across goal just missed the upright with Wilmot beaten.
Midway through the half Logan, Rook & Lewis Hamilton all combined down the left for Logan to pick out Cade who surprisingly beat the tall Leach in the air to head home.
In the 71st minute the result was put beyond doubt when, from a Hendon corner, the ball fell to Rook. He sprinted clear down the right channel and released Cade who was alone on the edge of the box with no defence in sight. He made no mistake firing past Wilmot to make it 3-0.
Rook nearly made it four when his angled shot rebounded off the bar.
In the last minute of normal time substitute Glenn Garner fired past Worgan for the Hendon consolation goal.
Today's starting line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Gooding, Legge, Tyne, Storey, Cade, Olorunda A, Rook, Logan. Subs: Westcott, Phillips, Glover, Piscina, Olorunda T
Tuesday 11th November: Honours even at Sutton
Ade Olorunda heads in Leon Legge's long throw
Tonbridge missed out on the chance to go 2nd in the league tonight as the game at Sutton Utd ended in a 3-3 draw.
The Angels went 1-0 down but replied with goals from Gooding, Ade Olorunda and Cade before half-time.The home team scored twice after the break courtesy of a Dundas strike and a penalty conceded by Leon Legge.
Tonbridge started with the unchanged side that put 7 past Ashford ten days ago. Carl Rook, returning from suspension, took his place on the bench.
For the majority of the first half the play was confined to the Sutton half of the pitch as he Angels pressed forward, limiting The U's to the odd slick break. During this period of pressure they went close through Cade - who's effort was blocked by Nicholls in the Sutton goal - and through a Tyne shot from outside the box that, with Nicholls beaten, was clearly handballed by Alan Bray but missed by the all the officials, .
On 26 mins the ball was lost cheaply on the left side of the Tonbridge defence and, with the back four completely taken out by a quick interchange of passes, a square ball was laid off to Eribenne completely unmarked on the penalty spot who blasted the ball into the centre of the goal 1-0.
With minutes of the half remaining Scott Gooding ghosted in around the back of everyone and headed in Logan's free kick from a very tight angle.
Leon Legge's long throws into the box caused Sutton defence problems right through the first 45 and it was from one of these that Ade Olorunda headed the Angels into a 2-1 lead.
Deep into injury time a corner was cleared to Tommy Tyne in the 'D'. His low shot through the crowd of players was saved by Nicholls but Jamie Cade was on hand to tap in the rebound.
The 2nd half was all Sutton. Lee Worgan had to make a number of saves including two acrobatic tip-overs. In a rare attack by Tonbridge early on Cade found himself one-on-one with Nicholls but the keeper blocked easily.
Craig Dundas, who was dominant in midfield, was allowed to drive in from the right past several Angels players before finishing clinically into the bottom left of the goal well out of the reach of Worgan's dive.
The equaliser came when Legge upended Hughes in the box. Eribenne dispatched the ball from the spot sending Worgan the wrong way.
Tonbridge held on for the final 20 minutes and even nearly nicked it at the death - Cade just failed to get a touch on Storey's neat through ball and Nicholls collected.
Today's starting line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Gooding, Legge, Tyne, Storey, Westcott, Cade, Olorunda A, Logan. Subs Rook, Phillips, Glover, Piscina, Olorunda T
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Kirk Watts has left the club by mutual consent after expressing a desire to get more first team football. Kirk had seen out the majority of the season so far from the bench with very few starts.
Saturday 8th November 1500: Today's game postponed
Today's game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch by the match referee just before 1400.
This was despite the efforts of several club staff and volunteers who had been forking the pitch during the preceding hours.
There had been optimism all morning that the game could go ahead but the ref called it off after describing the north end goal mouth as 'dangerous'.
Friday 7th November: Carshalton Preview
The Angels aim to continue their impressive form when they face 3rd place Carshalton Athletic at Longmead as the Ryman Prem 'top six' all play each other in the continued battle for promotion and play-off places.
With an injury-free full squad the vibes suggest Tommy Warrilow is set to name an unchanged starting eleven as Carl Rook, suspended for the 7-1 rout at Ashford last Saturday, may miss out in a situation where it would be difficult to drop anyone.
There is, however, some flu in the camp and this could still be a late deciding factor in who actually plays.
Outside Carshalton it is fair to say that the Robins are surprising contenders at the top end of the League having just survived relegation on the final day of last season courtesy of a 2-0 home win against the Angels.
Even though they are now without the impressive Liam Harwood - who was snapped up by Bristol Rovers close season - and Angels legend Hamid Barr who left in September, they still boast the league's leading goal scorer Richard Jolly.
Also watch out for midfielders Dwain Clarke, who was part of the successful Staines team last season, and the well travelled Junior Kadi.
They enter this encounter with just 1 win in the past 7 games (all comps) but they have always provided tough opposition and tomorrow will be no different.
Saturday's probable Angels line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Gooding, Legge, Tyne, Storey, Westcott, Cade, Olorunda A, Logan. Subs from: Rook, Glover, Phillips, Piscina, Watts, Olorunda T
Wednesday 5th November: Free Entry for U16's this Saturday
The club have today announced that for this coming Saturday's game versus Carshalton each child (under 16) accompanying a full paying adult will gain free admission.
This is for ground entry only - the West Stand seating charge applies to all.
This promotion will also be advertised in the local press (Courier & Kent Messenger) this coming Friday.
Longmead Stadium Admission Prices 8th Nov 2008:
Adult Ticket: £10
O.A.P Ticket: £5
Student Ticket: £5
Child Ticket (U16): £3 or free if accompanying Adult Ticket (ie 1 x child free per 1 x Adult Ticket)
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The dubious goals panel has notified us that Leon Legge has been officially credited with the Angels fifth goal on saturday meaning that Leon has scored his first Hat-Trick for the club.
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The weather claimed both the Angels' Reserve game (Sat) and Youth game (Mon) through the pitch being waterlogged and unplayable. Secretary Charlie Cole reported the north end goal mouth was still dodgy on Tuesday night but felt
it should be fine for Saturday as long as we don't get another deluge in the meantime.
Saturday 1st November: Angels hit Ashford for seven!
Penalty!!
In atrocious conditions the Angels smashed 7 past Ashford this afternoon to record one of the biggest wins in their history.
In the first half the Angels kicked into the relentless, driving, horizontal rain and used the fact the ball was held up by the conditions to their advantage.
Centre-Back Leon Legge opened the scoring when Scott Gooding acrobatically hooked back a Logan free kick from the right for Legge to easily nod home.
Legge made it two when his distant looping header, again from a set piece, was misjudged by the Ashford 'keeper and the ball sailed into the net.
Gooding was then unlucky not to score when hitting the bar with a header.
Just before half-time John Westcott intercepted a square ball during an Ashford attack and put Ade Olorunda through one-on-one with the keeper. Ade slotted home for 3-0.
Potentially the second half, playing with the wind, was going to be much harder as every ball forward seemed to carry right through to the keeper.
However Tonbridge went 4-0 up when Ade was brought down in the box and captain Anthony Storey converted.
Ashford then got a goal back when right-sided Warren Harris's low drive, which seemed to have been comfortably covered by Worgan, was diverted into his own net by Legge.
Any hope of Ashford getting back in the game was snuffed out when, from a corner, Legge beat the keeper at the back post. His goalbound header was nodded over the line by Ade thus robbing Leon of the hat-trick his performance richly deserved.
Storey then converted a second penalty for a foul before Logan hammered a 25 yard free kick straight through the defensive wall for 7-1.
This win elevates the Angels into a play-off spot for the first time this season.
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Today's starting line up: Worgan, Starkey, Hamilton, Gooding, Legge, Tyne, Storey, Westcott, Cade, Olorunda A, Logan. Subs Phillips, Glover, Piscina, Watts, Olorunda T
With 8 games scheduled November is likely to be the Angel's busiest month of the season by far. It starts today at Ashford Town Middlesex against whom Tonbridge have won in 3 of the last 4 encounters.
After an excellent start to the season, where Ashford raced to top spot in the league and maintained it until mid September, they have seen a complete reversal of form having lost 5 of the last 6 league games.
So with a near-full squad Tommy Warrilow's men will be hoping to improve on their own recent indifferent form and secure a victory today.
Ade Olorunda is expected to start up front today in place of the suspended Carl Rook.
Today's probable line up: Worgan, Starkey, Glover, Gooding, Legge, Phillips, Storey, Westcott, Cade, Olorunda A, Logan. Subs Tyne, Hamilton, Piscina, Watts, Olorunda T
Venue: Short Lane Stadium , Short Lane, Stanwell, Middlesex, TW19 7BH. Kick off 3pm.
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