Tonbridge made hard work of this victory against relegation threatened Eastbourne who played for nearly an hour with ten men after Freddie Carter was sent off for two bookable offences.
The game started slowly, but in the eighth minute Eastbourne had the first half chance of the game when Decarry Sherriff in the area turned and shot but Jon Henly was alert to the danger and made the save.
Ten minutes later and Tonbridge had their first chance when a corner into the area saw Kodi Lyons-Foster rise and his header from six yards was cleared off the line. Then a minute later Sean Shields on the left wing cut in and his curling shot from the edge of the area went just past the post.
In the 23rd minute Sheriff in on goal but his shot was pushed around the post by Henly for a corner. After this Tonbridge took control of the game and in the 27th minute Mo Dabre in the area saw his shot headed off the line. Seven minutes later Shields free kick on the edge of the area was deflected enabling Ben Dudzinski to save it.
The game changed in the 30th minute when Freddie Carter was sent off for his second booking so for Eastbourne needing to win it became that much harder. In the 37th minute Tonbridge eventually took the lead when a short corner back to Shields who then chipped into the area for Ethan Sutcliffe who from eight yards shot in for his first ever senior goal.
Tonbridge had two more chances up to half time to increase their lead when in the 41st minute Shields on the left cut in and his shot from 15 yards was punched clear by Dudzinski then in the second minute of added on time Shields cross into the area found Jordan Higgs eight yards out on his own but his header went straight at Dudzinski.
The second half took a while to get going but it was still Tonbridge in total control as they made Eastbourne chase after every ball which in the long run would make them tired. In the 68th minute Dabre in the area went round Dudzinski from the by-line crossed into the area for Tariq Hinds and from eight yards his goal bound shot was deflected away for a corner.
Three minutes later Nathan Odokonyero was put through on goal but his shot from twelve yards was saved. In the 74th minute in a rare attack Imran Uche saw his 18-yard effort saved by Henly, a minute later Leona Gravata from a short corner saw his shot come back off the post it was not going to be there day.
Tonbridge sealed the win in the 77th minute when Jamie Field on the overlap saw his low cross pushed away by Dudzinski but it came out to Dabre who from eight yards shot home. The game petered out until the final whistle with Tonbridge back to winning ways.
Tonbridge Angels:
- J.Henly 2. J.Fielding( 90+5) 3. K.Lyons-Foster 8. J.Higgs 9. N.Odokonyero( 90+2) 12. T.Hinds
14.M.Dabre(85) 17. E.Sutclife 23. S.Shields 27. L.Vincent 30. R.Hanson
Subs Used: 7. F.Mampolo (85) 20. H.Velvick(90+2) 15. L.Vowles (90+5)
Subs Not Used: 4. T.Parkinson
Bookings: 3. K.Lyons-Foster (23)
Eastbourne Borough:
- B.Dudzinski 4. B.Berry 8. J.Clarke 10. J.Hutchinson 11. D.Sheriff 16. F.Carter 22. B.Vigar(45)
23. S.Beard 24. M.Diarra (29) 26. D.Sesay(58) 33. P.Bird
Subs Used: 15. I.Uche (29) 5. D.Quick (45) 20. L.Gravata(58)
Subs Not Used: 7. S.Ligendza 21. F.Ballard-Mcbride
Bookings: 15. I.Uche (62) 10. J.Hutchinson(84)
Sent Off: 16. F.Carter (Booked 24 & 30)
Referee: Mr T.Breen
Assistants: Mr S.Everitt & Mr J.Evans
Att: 1185
Image courtesy of Tonbrige Angels FC