Hornchurch 3 Tonbridge Angels 2
For the second time in a week, Angels were left empty-handed after conceding a goal in added on time.
On a bright afternoon in Essex, Angels started the stronger of the two teams, forcing some early corners and a couple of long range shots. This pressure paid off when Tom Leahy opened the scoring for the Angels in the sixth minute.
Tonbridge continued to pile on the pressure after the goal was scored and Kyle Smith tested the Hornchurch keeper Arthur Nasta with nine on the clock.
This seemed to wake Hornchurch up who then started to grow in stature with Josh Rees testing Laurie Shala in the 12th minute. Hornchurch then had more attempts on goal producing excellent saves from Shala with shots from Harry Gibbs and Rees. This pressure paid off in the 38th minute when Harry Gibbs equalised with a disputed goal, with many Tonbridge fans feeling the ball did not cross the line.
Hornchurch continued to press and took the lead in first half injury time, when Harry Sandat was fouled in the penalty area. It was Sandat himself who stepped up to convert the penalty.
Tonbridge had a very strong start to the second half, and started to dominate. Alfie Pavey was the first player to test Nasta in the 52nd minute. Alan Dunne made a couple of substitutions bringing on Matt Warren and Frankie Baker, and it was Baker who missed a close range shot. The pressure finally paid off in the 70th minute when captain Jordon Thompson equalised with a fierce shot from the middle of the penalty area.
Tonbridge then went looking for the winning goal, and there were excellent attempts from Leahy, Baker and Bailey Akehurst in the last 10 minutes of the game. Unfortunately Angels got caught out in the 93rd minute of the game with a goal from Angelo Balanta, to deny the Angels a hard fought point they probably deserved.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS
1 Laurie Shala, 2 Bradley Williams, 5 Ethan Sutcliffe, 7 Ricky Korboa, 14 Tom Leahy, 17 Noah McCann, 18 Naz Bakrin, 20 Jordon Thompson, 23 Sean Shields 24 Kyle Smith 29 Alfie Pavey.
Subs: Jack West-Astuti (Unused), 3 Matt Warren (Used), 9 Frankie Baker (Used) 10 Marcus Sablier (Unused) 11 Bunmi Babajide (Used) 16 Tobi Omole (Unused) 27 Bailey Akehurst (Used)
Attendance 717
Report written by Charlie Cole
