Tonbridge Angels continue their Wembley dream by knocking out another National League side in nail biting circumstances in a penalty shootout.

They are now in the last 16 of the FA Trophy which is the furthest they have ever been and now wait to see who they get in Monday’s draw.

The game started with King’s Lynn in the ascendency and in the first ten minutes they had three attempts on goal with one being saved by Jon Henly, Tonbridge withstood this and in the 21^st minute they created their first chance when Henly’s long ball out was flicked on by Joe Turner for Tom Wood and his 20 yard shot was saved by Paul Jones.

King’s Lynn appeared to be the home team as they dominated possession while Tonbridge relied on breakaways. In the 35^th minute a ball forward was flicked on by Gold Omotayo for Joshua Barrett and his shot went just wide from 20 yards.

Tonbridge nearly scored in the 43^rd minute when Luke Jenkins marauding down the right went to the by-line and his low cross saw Jones fumble it and eventually cleared, the half time whistle went and Steve McKimm must have been well pleased as they were still in the game while Tommy Wriddlington must have been frustrated as his team had the lion’s share of possession but did not really create anything.            

The second half was only six minutes old when Tonbridge nearly opened the scoring when Wood on the left beat two defenders and from the by-line his low cross was nearly bundled in and it was a surprise the ball did not end up in the net.

In the 58^th minute a free kick by Barrett curled just past the post and then three minutes later a free kick to the back post found Omotayo but on his own he headed wide. In the 75^th minute King’s Lynn took the lead when Barrett’s free kick from 25 yards beat Henly.

In the 83^rd minute Tonbridge equalised when Aaron Smith-Joseph on the left crossed to the back post where Wood rose and headed in, could history repeat itself after last week? In the 87^th minute a ball into the area was half cleared to Tyler Denton and from 15 yards his cannonball shot went just inches over the bar.

The last chance of the game came in the 90+4^th minute when a cross into the area was headed out by Harry Hudson but straight to Manashe Sundire but his shot went flying over the bar.

The final whistle went and penalties would decide this tie.

   Kings Lynn won the toss & went first:

Michael Clunnam shot was saved,          Ibrahim Olutade scored                1-0

Brett McGavin scored                               Adam Lovatt’s shot was saved     1-1

Ethan Coleman scored                             Joe Turner scored                           2-2

Gold Omotayo’s shot was saved           Craig Barham-Barrett scored        2-3

Tyler Denton scored                                Luke Jenkins scored                        3-4      

Tonbridge in the end deserved this victory for their tenacity and defensive display.

       TONBRIDGE:

1. J.HENLY    2. L.JENKINS    3. C.BARHAM-BARRETT   4. J.TAYLOR (66)  5. S.MILES  6. H.HUDSON 7. J.FIELDING  8. A.LOVATT   9. T.WOOD (86)  10. T.BEERE (81)  11. J.TURNER.

SUBS USED: 12. A.SMITH-JOSEPH (61)  15. I.OLUTADE (81)  16. J.O’SULLIVAN (86)

SUBS NOT USED: 13. T.McKIMM 14. J.EMBERY  17. B.MOORE  

BOOKINGS:  7. J.FIELDING (90+4)

KINGS LYNN TOWN:

1. P.JONES  22. R. BARROWS  5. P.BIRD (75)  17. A. JONES  18. B.McGAVIN  7. M.CLUNNAN 8. E.COLEMAN  24. O.SCOTT  20. J.BARRETT (81)  9. G.OMOTAYO  14. M.LINTON (61).

SUBS USED: 27. C.KURREN-BROWNE (61)  3. T.DENTON (73)  18. M.SUNDIRE (81)

SUBS NOT USED: 4. K.CALLAN-McFADDEN  6. D.BOWRY  12. M.GYASI  35. T.KNOWLES

BOOKINGS:  8. E.COLEMAN (45+1)  22. R.BARROWS (71)

REFEREE: Mr M.RYAN

ASSISTANTS: Mr D.HARRISON & Mr S.PARMENTER

4^th OFFICIAL: Mr J.FAGG

ATTENDANCE: 835

Picture supplied by Tonbridge Angels Football Club.