The Reserves went out of the League Cup at the first attempt on aggregate despite a superb win and performance at Horley Town on Saturday. From the kick-off the Angels took the game to the home team and were probably unlucky with what looked a good penalty shout on 20 minutes after a mix up between goalkeeper and defender looked to have sent Phil Cramp through on goal but a combination of the two home players blocked Cramp's run helped in no mean fashion by the large chunk of shirt the keeper held of the pacey forward, unfortunately none of the three officials saw the incident.

The Angels continued to put the the home team under pressure helped by an inspired performance from a rejuvenated John Sinclair in midfield and the inspirational Dan Stringer. Both Sinclair and Stringer went close with efforts from outside the box and a desperate tackle saw a Terry Brock shot blocked, in fairness to Horley late in the half Shayne Goldsmith had to be at his best to keep a couple of efforts out.

Adam O'Neill joined the action at half-time replacing the disappointing Mike McKeown and made an immediate impact as Massin in the Horley goal turned away an effort then could only parry a close-range shot from the same player, before a visiting player could react the ball was scrambled clear. Tonbridge finally opened their account after 65 minutes, Cramp splitting the defence and lifting the ball over the advancing keeper. This goal shook the home team who lost their central defender for second yellow card after a series of niggly offences. Unfortunately for the visitors they suffered a major setback ten minutes after opening the scoring, Toby Gilbert looking a yard offside broke clear and lobbed the ball over Goldsmith, almost a carbon copy of the goal he scored at Tonbridge two weeks earlier in the first leg, giving the home team a priceless goal.

The Angels reacted with a good positive attitude and regained the lead shortly afterwards, O'Neill smashing the ball home from close range, Cramp should have taken the tie to extra time heading against the crossbar from two yards, Sinclair firing the rebound wide. Tonbridge managed to hit both posts and Stringer fired over from close range as the visitors threw everything at the home goal, but it was not to be and Horley went through to play Sutton United in Round Two.

Report by: Julian Leigh