Angels just about deserved this win against a Wingate & Finchley side who despite missing some regulars, refused to lie down and in fairness could have snatched a point.

Whether the football on show from the home side will appease some of their more discerning supporters who have branded the football ‘boring’ remains to be seen but the debate on manager McKimm’s diamond and its effectiveness will probably continue.

It was a strong 20 minute spell at the start of the second half that swung the match in Tonbridge’s favour during which they scored the only goal of the game but they had to see out a rather nervous last 15 minutes during which time Wingate made a clever substitution and went two up front.

While Tonbridge had more possession during the first half it was Wingate who had the clearer chances to take the lead. Visitors Skipper Ahmet Rifat at the far post had a glorious chance as early as the 2nd minute while there were further opportunities for Rob Lainey and Nathan Mavila with the best moment for Wingate coming in the 33rd minute when Sean Cronin hit the base of the post with a firm header.

The Angels for their part saw Joe Turner fluff a decent chance when through preferring to square rather than taking the shot on that might have been the better option, and in the 23rd minute Luke Blewden‘s stinging volley forced a good save from Wingate’s ‘keeper Luke Sheldrake.

The hosts came out for the second half in more assertive fashion and in the 52nd minute Blewden’s cross should have been converted by Nathan Elder. In the 60th minute Blewden’s run into the penalty area appeared to have been stopped illegally and while players waited for the referee to blow for a spot kick, the ball ran through to Alex Akrofi who played to the whistle and scored for the home side.

The game should have been made safe for Tonbridge with chances falling to Dan Thompson and Akrofi and they nearly paid the price with Lainey for the visitors forcing a terrific save from Angels keeper Jonny Henly in the 80th minute and the same player just going wide with another header deep in stoppage time.

“I thought we edged it”, said Angels Assistant Manager, Barry Moore in the post match interview. “We were’nt great first half but we’ve come out for the second half got ourselves deservedly in front and then treated the ball like a hot potato in defending that slender lead. Fairness to the lads they have seen it out and its another clean sheet – the third in four.”

Images courtesy of Wesley Filtness