Tonbridge Angels will come away from today’s game with pride as they pushed League Leaders Yeovil Town all the way but in the end came up short in a 4-2 defeat.
However, if they can play like that week in week out they will win more matches than they lose so the future looks good for the Angels.
The game started well for Tonbridge as in the 4th minute Paris Lock running from halfway saw his 20 yard shot deflected for a corner but after the great start Yeovil took control.
In the 11th minute they opened the scoring when on a counter attack Sam Pearson beat Ethan Sutcliffe, ran forward before laying the ball into Jordan Young’s feet and from 15 yards he slotted the ball past Jon Henly.
Seven minutes later it was two when a corner into the area was headed forward hitting Jake Wannell in the chest and hitting the back of the net.
Tonbridge did not have to wait long to get back into the game as a bad back pass was latched onto by Nathan Odokonyero and from 10 yards he smashed it past Joe Day game on.
The Angels were now on top and in the 29th minute Lock dispossessed Frank Nouble on the edge of the area, his snap shot went just past the post.
Four minutes later Sean Shields saw his 25 yard effort half saved by Day and just about cleared.
Half time arrived and Yeovil were worried while Tonbridge felt they could get back into this game.
The second half took a while to get going then in the 57th minute Young saw his 25 yard free kick go over the bar.
Nine minutes later Yeovil increased their lead when a corner to the back post found Wannell who headed home unopposed from eight yards out.
Tonbridge were devastated by this but carried on having a go and in the 89th minute they got their reward when a free kick into the area was half cleared to Jordan Higgs who on the edge of the area saw his shot go to Kodi Lyons-Foster who stabbed it home.
With at least five more minutes to go they had a chance when a minute later the equaliser nearly came when a Shields cross found Jordan Greenidge his flicked header was saved.
In the 4th minute of added on time Henly nearly became the hero when he came up for a corner and his flicked header went just past the post.
With Tonbridge pressing for an equaliser, Yeovil on a breakaway scored their fourth when Matthew Worthington running from his own half went into the Tonbridge half and with Henly way out of his area Worthington shot past him into the net.
This score line flattered Yeovil a bit but they did deserve to win to keep up their promotion bid as they stayed top by ten points with a game in hand.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS:
1. J.HENLY 2. J.FIELDING 3. K.LYONS-FOSTER 8. J.HIGGS 9. N.ODOKONYERO 11. P.LACK (61) 14. M.DABRE (72)
19. J.MEADE 22. S.WAGSTAFF (84) 23. S.SHIELDS 27. E.SUTCLIFFE
SUBS USED: 5. L.GARD (61) 18. J.GREENIDGE (72) 7. F.MAMPOLO (84)
SUBS NOT USED: 17. L.VINCENT 20. H.VELVICK
BOOKINGS: NONE
YEOVIL TOWN:
1. J.DAY 2. M.WILLIAMS 3. A.WHITTLE (45) 6. J.WANNELL 8. M.WORTHINGTON 11. J.YOUNG
12. D.MORGAN (67) 16. S.BLU LO-EVERTON 23. M.SMITH 27. S.PEARSON (81) 30. F.NOUBLE
SUBS USED: 33. J.FOULSTON (45) 7. J.STEVENS (67) 18. A.FISHER (81)
SUBS NOT USED: 15. J.OWERS 17. W.DAWES
BOOKINGS: 7. J.STEVENS ( 82) 23. M.SMITH (89)
REFEREE: Mr S.HUGHES
ASSISTANTS: Mr J.WILKS & Mr S.CUTLER
Att: 1356