Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton and Richmond Borough 0
Angels boss Alan Dunne said he was ‘buzzing’ after his side secured back-to-back home wins and a clean sheet to pull further away from the drop zone.
Goals in each half from strikers Tom Leahy and Frankie Baker were enough to defeat The Beavers who were reduced to ten men after referee Tolu Sangowawa dismissed midfielder Kwaku Frimpong for a second bookable offence on 55 minutes.
Dunne made three changes from the side which beat Chippenham Town at The Yeomans Community Stadium, Longmead on Saturday with a start for the returning Matt Rowley between the sticks replacing Laurie Shala.
Rowley’s loan signing from Reading until the end of the season was only announced an hour before kick-off and he went straight into the side.
Dunne also gave starts to Frankie Baker and Bunmi Babajide with Sean Shields and Alfie Pavey dropping to the bench.
The joy and jubilation of Saturday’s Devonte Day seemed to be lingering in the air as Angels started well, playing at pace and as early as the third minute Leahy drew a save from Marcus Dewhurst after being played in by Ricky Korboa.
Hampton’s best effort came on 25 when Harry Gardner got some power behind his shot but dragged it just wide.
With Babajide posing The Beavers defence problems, Angels did most of the pressing and on 30 a lovely deft touch from Baker found Babajide who played in Korboa whose crisp shot was snaffled by Dewhurst.
A minute later, Babajide, Leahy and Kyle Smith combined beautifully but Smith’s by-line pull-back was cleared by The Beavers.
It felt like a goal was coming and it did on 37 after referee Sangowawa booked the veteran Beavers skipper Alan Massey for a cynical foul on Baker.
The free-kick forced a corner from which an almighty scramble ensued. Cue comedy pinball and the ball crossing the line and Leahy emerging from the fracas with arms aloft having apparently had the final touch and claiming the goal as every good striker should, bringing his season’s tally to six.
On 51, Angels doubled their lead following an excellent piece of anticipation by Baker who read Dewhurst’s intention to roll the ball out to a defender, intercepted it and finished from an acute angle to notch his second goal of the season.
With their plight looking bleak, The Beavers were given an even tougher mountain to climb when Frimpong was given his marching orders on 55 after fouling Korboa.
It looked like the floodgates might open at that point particularly when the tricky Babajide danced his way through the static Hampton defence, slotted it to Baker whose lay off fell to Korboa who curled it just wide.
On the hour, Dunne brought off the excellent Leahy and the tireless Matty Warren and brought on Shields and Scott Wagstaff.
Angels went close on several more occasions but credit must go to the visitors who never gave up and came close themselves on 84 but Eduino Vaz’s shot was inches too high.
With a minute to go Dunne replaced Babajide and Bradley Williams – who had an excellent game as a midfield terrier – with Naz Bakrin and Tobi Omole.
Angels saw the game out to secure another priceless three points to give them a 12 point cushion above the drop zone.
Speaking after the match, Dunne said: “I’m really really pleased with back-to-back wins and the performance. We got it right today. I’m proud of the boys because to a man they were excellent.”
Angels: Rowley, Smith, Sutcliffe, Thompson (captain), McCann, Warren (Wagstaff), Williams (Bakrin), Babajide (Omole), Korboa, Leahy (Shields), Baker
Subs not used: West-Astuti, Akehurst, Pavey
