A late goal from Alex Teniola was enough to give Tonbridge Angels a well-deserved win at home to Weston Super Mare.
The Angels, who were without a win in six games needed a victory over fifth placed Weston Super Mare if they were going to stand any chance of staying in the Skrill South. The hosts starting eleven consisted of just three players after their loss to Super Mare’s promotion rivals Ebbsfleet United in midweek; Lewis Carey, Lee Browning and Tom Collins were the only three players who remained.
Tonbridge showed that they were fighting for their team’s survival in the league, and this could be seen within the opening minutes as they piled early pressure onto their opponents but their efforts came to no avail.
The visitors had their first opportunity within seven minutes, but after Dale Grubb’s cross was cleared the ball fell to Ashley Kington, but his shot from the edge of the area was bravely blocked by Sonny Miles.
After a slow period of play the game kicked back into life after two dangerous tackles by Weston’s Nabie Diallo within three minutes, giving the referee no choice but to send the midfielder off. This sent the game into an entirely different atmosphere as both teams became involved in physical battles all over the pitch.
The one man advantage seemed to pick up the hosts, and after a long pass over the defence towards Nathan Pinney, but after the strikers chipped shot flew over the goalkeeper Dan Gregson got back in time to claw the ball off the line, meaning that the game remained goalless going into the second half.
Tonbridge started the second half the way they ended the first- on top. After some good, quick passing between Nathan Pinney and Lee Browning, the striker placed a shot towards the top corner, only for the ball to be expertly tipped away by Lloyd Irish.
The hosts continued their pressure and they should have had a penalty minutes later, but after Tom Collins was tripped in the area by Jamie Laird the referee gave nothing, leaving the game scoreless.
Pinney had another chance to score soon after, but after keeping the ball from two defenders his shot was blocked by Laird as it rolled away, but the resulting corner was cleared.
With just ten minutes remaining Weston Super Mare had their best chance of the game, but Kane Ingram sacrificed finesse for power as his shot flew past the near post.
The visitor’s pressure continued, but after Dale Grubb was allowed to cut inside, his left footed shot curled just wide.
It took 88 minutes, but eventually Tonbridge were able to score the opening goal, after the initial cross from the left was too high Nathan Pinney was able to keep the ball on at the right wing, his cross fell perfectly for Alex Teniola at the far post and the substitute was able to jump higher than his two markers to steer the ball into the top corner, sending Longmead Stadium into disarray.
That goal was enough to give the Angels their first win since February 15th and puts them into the best position to stay in the Skrill South. Their next match is at Basingstoke in Tuesday before they face Hayes and Yeading at Longmead two days later.
Tonbridge Angels: Carey, Muggeridge, Appiah (Watts), Miles, Heath, Lovell, Browning, Pinney, Collins (Teniola), Bakare (Cumbers)
Subs not used: C. Slocombe, Chalmers- Stevens
Booked: Appiah, Collins
Weston Super Mare: Irish, C. Laird, M. Slocombe, Kirk (Trowbridge), J. Laird, Gregson, Grubb, Diallo, Hemmings, Kington, Ingram (Fiddes)
Subs not used: Knowles, Ash, Purnell
Booked: Ingram, C. Laird
Sent off: Diallo
Officials: Adrian Sannerude, Rick Bloy, Aji Ajibola
Attendance: 360