Tonbridge Angels 1 Torquay United 2
First a word about the post-match atmosphere at Tonbridge which gave a glimpse into football supporting at its finest.
Fans of both clubs dancing to live music in the balmy sunshine, mutual well-wishes expressed between supporters and club officials and a positive, cordial atmosphere enjoyed by young and old.
True, there was nothing on this game for Angels – who before kick-off were assured of a 14th place finish regardless of the outcome – but the fans who stayed behind were surely demonstrating satisfaction with a season which has delivered more than it perhaps promised.
Developments hint at an exciting future under a manager who has won over even the biggest sceptic.
Many ‘experts’ had Angels down as National South cannon fodder and favourites for relegation but that particular challenge was seen off weeks ago.
Angels came into the game against Torquay on the back of defeat in the Kent Senior Cup against Maidstone. The unpleasant scenes which soured that particular occasion were in stark contrast to those at the Yeomans Community Stadium, Longmead this afternoon.
Perhaps the 12:30 kick off attributed to a first half which was a curiously flat affair with little for the crowd of 2,026 to get excited about.
On 13, Jordon Thompson produced an excellent challenge to deny Dylan Morgan after Sonny Blu Lo-Everton broke swiftly for The Gulls and, just before the half hour, Dan Hayfield sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal but Angels survived.
Angels best chance came on 44 when Ricky Korboa embarked on a skilful, mazy, diagonal run which took him to the edge of the box and a shooting chance but there was no power behind his eventual effort and Seb Stacey saved with ease.
Early on in the second half, Alan Dunne replaced Frankie Baker with Alfie Pavey and Jordan Higgs with Bradley Williams to freshen things up.
However, the Devonians took the lead on the hour. An untidy goal followed their first corner of the game with Dean Moore finishing at the back post.
Two minutes later it was two – and a goal of richer calibre – as Morgan cut inside from the left and curled a low shot beyond Matt Rowley into the far corner.
Tom Leahy then gave way for Marcus Sablier and shortly after Angels top scorer Bunmi Babajide – showing textbook technique (below) – added to his total with a beauty from 25 yards to halve the deficit.
If Scott Wagstaff could have converted on 74, that goal would have stolen the headlines but it wasn’t to be and two minutes later the popular skipper – whose future remains uncertain – was replaced by Matty Warren.
On 77, Supporters’ Player of the Year Ethan Sutcliffe was replaced by Naz Bakrin as the Angels pressed for an equaliser which their efforts perhaps deserved.
With eight to go, a glorious chance fell for Pavey who connected well with his left foot only to be denied by a fine save from Stacey who made himself big.
With the sun beating down, referee Callum Fisk decreed six additional minutes in which neither side could create another chance and the final whistle sparked celebrations from the good-natured Gulls fans who had descended on Longmead in great numbers.
After the match, Dunne said: “Congratulations to Torquay who are a great club and one of the big guns in this league but we went toe-to-toe with them and I think they were hanging on a bit there in the second half. I thought it was an outstanding day, a special day, at the end of an outstanding season when we finished with a positive goal difference – which I’m really pleased about – 60 points and the highest average attendance ever at Longmead.
“We have a lot to be proud about. I’m so proud of the boys, not just for their efforts today but for everything they’ve given me this season. I’m so proud that I took this job because there are so many good things around the place and we’re only moving forward and we are going to progress even more.”
Angels: 4-4-2 – Rowley; Sutcliffe (Bakrin), Thompson, Omole, Akehurst; Wagstaff (cap) (Warren), Higgs (Williams), Korboa, Babajide; Baker (Pavey), Leahy (Sablier)
Subs not used: Cockwell, Mampolo
Photographs by: Dave Couldridge & Tilly Lawrence
