A superb all-round team performance saw Tonbridge Angels Reserves lift the club's first piece of silverware this season at Gravesend.

Gravesend had no answer to the vibrant Angels team whose desire to win could be seen by all. The Angels took the lead as early as the fourth minute, Mike Cramp's free-kick was played into the penalty area, the ball being flicked into the path of Mannie Neville who fired home past the diving Marshall. Tonbridge should have doubled the scoreline a few minutes later when a slide-rule Neville pass found Phil Cramp, but brave goalkeeping from Marshall denied the forward. England Schoolboy international Ian Parkes went close on 20 minutes with a twenty-yard shot that fizzed past the post and Phil Cramp then had another effort ruled out for offside as the Angels side threatened to run riot.

The Angels doubled the scoreline in the 25th minute, the highly impressive Danny Powell's pass finding Phil Cramp who fired low and hard past the despairing dive of Marshall. Gravesend had no answer to the strength of the well organised Tonbridge defence, Ollie Miles, Mike Cramp and Sim Johnson all winning their personal battles, and with the excellent Matt Bromby behind them any aerial threat was comfortably dealt with.

Tonbridge could have doubled their two goal lead within the first few minutes of the re-start, Powell slid the ball past the keeper but also just wide of the post and Phil Cramp brought a fine save out of Marshall. Gravesend's only chance of the game fell to former Folkestone Invicta player Luke Coleman, but the player's lob drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Again Marshall had to make a fine save denying Danny Powell after the Angels player's fine 40-yard run. Angels were denied what looked like a stone-wall penalty claim after Ben Rainbow was scythed down in the area, then in the 66th minute Marshall made his best save of the game tipping over Neville's thunderous drive. With 14 minutes left on the clock the Angels sealed the victory. John Sinclair's corner was cleared out of the box into the midfield area where Parkes, some 25 yards out, drilled home a thunderbolt of a shot into the bottom corner of the net. Phil Cramp sealed a well-deserved victory when he lobbed the keeper from 18 yards.

Report by: Julian Leigh

Manager's Comments: "I am so pleased for the players, Simon, Kevin, Melvyn and Tina who helped Mel prepare the boys, they really deserve what has happened tonight, to be honest we could and perhaps should have scored another couple of goals, our work ethic was excellent and every one did their job well."