The Angels fully deserved to share the points at the Gallagher in the New Year’s Day Derby and on another day might have taken all three.

The game saw a Tonbridge debut for striker Roberto Ratti signed from Dover Athletic and whilst he didn’t get on the scoresheet two other Angels players were to open their account, Jason Williams and Harry Donovan. 

It was Maidstone, however, who were ahead after just three minutes. Far too much room was conceded on the visitors right hand side and when the cross came in there was Gavin Hoyte to poke the ball past Angels keeper Jonny Henly. 

The Angels settled into the game and started to create some moments for themselves. A Sonny Miles header was saved by Chris Lewington but it only went as far as Joe Turner but his shot went into the ground and bounced off a Maidstone defender to relative safety.

The equaliser came on 19 minutes and again Turner was involved. His effort was only partially cleared by the Maidstone defence and there was Jason Williams for his first ever goal for the Angels.  

Unfortunately the game took an unsavoury turn when a smoke bomb was thrown on to the pitch from the Tonbridge area but the stewards were able to quickly identify the culprits.  

A moments hesitation in the Angels defence rather gifted Maidstone the lead once more on 27 minutes through Iffy Allen but in truth it was somewhat against the run of play. 

The visitors finished the half the stronger side. During this period Joe Turner was particularly notable for creating panic in the Maidstone defence with a series of excellent crosses, D’Sean Theobalds grazed the crossbar on 42 minutes and there were a couple of chances for ex Stones Ben Greenhalgh. 

The second half saw Tonbridge continue to take the initiative and constantly take the game to their hosts.  In the heart of midfield Theobalds and Donovan were particularly influential, Jason Williams up front was a real nuisance and Greenhalgh was having one of his best games.

It felt like a goal was coming for the visitors and it eventually arrived in the 77th minute when Maidstone once again were unable to properly clear another Tonbridge attack and Donovan picked up the loose ball to fire a hard low shot past Lewington in the home goal.

Despite some late pressure there were no further goals. Tonbridge continued to push forward and this created the risk that the Stones would break quickly and catch them on the counter. Whilst that did happen on a couple of occasions with Dan Wishart and Ibby Akanbi getting into good positions the finishing left something to be desired.