Tonbridge Angels 1 Torquay United 2
A last-gasp, logic-defying save by Torquay ‘keeper Toby Savin denied Angels a point they probably deserved at The Yeomans Community Stadium, Longmead.
Deep into additional time, substitute Alfie Pavey produced a looping header which was goalbound until Savin somehow twisted his body like the proverbial salmon and clawed the ball out from virtually under the crossbar.
It was at least on a par with a superb save by Angels Nathan Harness just after the break.
An equaliser was no more than Alan Dunne’s men would have deserved as they went toe-to-toe with the big-hitters from Devon.
Dunne was forced into one change from the side which beat Braintree Town last week, with Frankie Baker assuming the centre-forward berth in place of Lamar Reynolds who picked up a knock during the week.
Though The Gulls had the better of the early exchanges, Angels threatened when the lively Jephte Tanga combined excellently with Harvey Lintott on just six minutes but his low cross was dealt with by Savin.
On 11, Bailey Akehurst went into referee Daniel Baines’ book for a robust challenge. Said book was going to have a whole lot more names by the end of the game.
Angels fell behind on 16 when a Kian Jenkins corner evaded everyone and sailed into the net untouched. This was swiftly followed by Mr Baines adding Harry Gardner and Gulls Munashe Sundire to his book.
With the goal advantage Torquay were content to let Angels come at them and attack on the break with Deon Moore and Isaac Westerndorf both looking threatening.
At the other end, a succession of high balls were gobbled up by Torquay’s centre back Sam Dreyer, despite the incessant hard work of Baker.
After the break, Harness, at full-stretch, produced his superb fingertip save to deflect a goalbound effort from Callum Morton on to the post
A few minutes later, Akehurst rattled the crossbar with a typically sweet left-footed effort.
Just before the hour, Dunne replaced Gardner and Brown with Osew and Martin, which was swiftly followed by Pavey replacing Ricky Korboa.
And immediately Angels drew level. Akehurst played a short corner to Kai Martin whose cross found Ethan Sutcliffe who headed home
On 73, Angels had a huge penalty shout when referee Baines let play on after an almighty scramble when Dreyer appeared to handle in the box.
After Beeden headed just wide following a corner, it seemed like Dunne’s men had found the belief needed to win the game.
Yet a sucker punch lay in store. With Angels pressing for a winner, The Gulls broke at pace. Moore played in substitute Robertson who got to the byline and pulled the ball back for another replacement Matt Jay who could not miss from eight yards, even though Harness did get a touch.
Angels roared back and a shot from Tanga was blocked for a corner. Somewhere along the way, Tanga was one of eight players who’d been booked and the referee had little option but to send him off when he went in late and high.
With Angels down to ten men, Harness raced upfield for a corner but found himself sprinting back to his goal after Torquay broke again. The ball fell to Robertson who tried to finish from distance but Harness – a full 40 yards out of his goal – spread his body brilliantly to deny The Devonians a third.
It was then that Savin produced his save – and you won’t see many better this season – to keep out Pavey’s header and ensure the three points left Kent and headed south west.
After the game, Alan Dunne told Angels Media: “I’m really proud. I thought it was an excellent game. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with a heavyweight and played really well. Some of their players came off and said to me they doubt they will have many harder games all season. But we lost the game because I think at times we were naive and showed a lack of experience and against teams like Torquay you will get punished but my overall feeling today is one of pride.”
Photographs: Dave Couldridge
