Tonbridge Angels 4 Eastbourne Borough 2
It was ‘deja vu all over again’ at the Yeomans Community Stadium last night as rampant Angels scored four second half goals to secure victory against the visitors from Sussex.
In what has become a feature of the pre-season friendlies, a distinctly average first half performance from Angels was followed by a far superior second forty-five.
Angels boss Alan Dunne now has plenty to think about with several triallists again impressing.
Yet it was Jephte Tanga, a summer signing from Maidstone United, who impressed on the night, scoring a fine opener.
At that point, Angels were two-nil down after Steve King’s men – who were relegated from the National South last season – led at the break through a Josh Rees goal on 27 and added a second early in the second half through Giles Phillips.
Stung into action, Dunne’s men finally found their mojo and produced a fine last half hour to overcome Borough.
On 62, Tanga received the ball on the right flank, danced past a static defence before drilling an angled shot into the far corner.
Ten minutes later it was that man Ethan Sutcliffe – though a defender, rapidly becoming something of a ‘fox in the box’ – who poked home from close range.
On 78, great work from half time substitute Frankie Baker set up a third for a triallist to finish.
When Eastbourne ‘keeper and former Angels glovesman Lewis Carey took too long to take a goal-kick, a corner was awarded to Angels. Bailey Akehurst whipped it in and former Borough defender Harvey Lintott finished at the near post.
In his post-match interview with Angels Media, Dunne said: “I thought in parts we were excellent tonight. Some of our patterns, our pressure and our intensity and endeavour was really good. We conceded two soft goals which is a negative and we can’t give teams a goal start but in the second half we showed how good we are.
“The attacking threat was there, the movement too and I thought we were excellent. There are areas we need to improve in – we know that – but overall I’m really pleased and thought it was a really positive night.”
Photographs: Dave Couldridge
