Tonbridge Angels emerged 1-0 victors versus Burgess Hill, but the hosts were unlucky to not have scored more.

Report from Max Meads

The Angels started impressively, with a bright cross from Jack Parter saved, and Alex Read’s header rattling the woodwork in the 5th minute.

Wingers Joe Turner and Adem Ramadan were causing problems for the Burgess Hill defence. A Burgess Hill corner was well struck by Connor Tighe, but it was quickly dealt with by the Angels, with the returning attack offside.

Tom Beere found plenty of space for a quick attack, with the shot just wide of the mark. The only goal of the game came in the 26th minute, with right-back James Folkes dispossessing the Burgess Hill defence and playing a neat through ball with the outside of his right foot to Joe Turner, who slotted it past Joshua James.

Play was stopped for 9 minutes shortly after, with Angels captain Tom Parkinson being treated for a head injury, but he played on. A flurry of chances followed, but none beat the Burgess Hill keeper.

Burgess Hill started the second half brighter, answering a shot by Read with an effort from Ben Pope coming agonisingly close. The Angels looked rattled, but sorted their shortcomings out quickly, and responded with a good corner that challenged James.

Gary Charman took a booking for the team, fouling Tom Beere one-on-one as he was running on goal. The resulting free kick was cleared for a corner, with Sonny Miles hitting the crossbar as a result.

Tonbridge’s blushes were saved in the 83rd after a Tighe corner challenged Angels centre-back Arthur Lee, with the returning effort parried out of the box by Henly. A stylish run by Adem Ramadan and a shot by Parkinson was all the game had left, with the 1-0 win putting the Angels in 4th, without a single goal conceded in three games.

Burgess Hill manager Ian Chapman said after the game, “Tonbridge were definitely the better side in the first half and we lacked cohesion, however in the second half I thought we were the better side. We need to have more of an edge to our play going forward.”

Angels gaffer Steve McKimm, clearly the happier of the two managers, said “I was delighted with this afternoon’s performance. After three games no goals conceded and being unbeaten in the league is testament of the progress we are making.”