Tonbridge Angels started their sixth season in the National League South with a hard-earned win against Weymouth to get their campaign underway. Weymouth can feel a little hard done by as they did little wrong but in football you don’t always get what you deserve.
In hot conditions both sides took time to acclimatise with the conditions but in a three minute period goals came. Firstly, in the 17th minute Sean Shields on the right wing saw his low cross avoid everyone except Liam Vincent who from an acute angle from five yards fired home, keeper Billy Terrell will be disappointed that he did make the save.
A minute later Weymouth were level when a long ball forward was not cleared by the Tonbridge defence letting Malihi Linton in on goal and as Toby Steward came rushing out, he toe poked past him and into an empty net.
In the 20th minute Scott Wagstaff threaded the ball through to Shields on the right, another low cross to the back post saw Trevan Robinson slot home from five yards to score his first goal for the club.
Tonbridge were now on top and in the 24th minute it nearly became three when Mo Dabre in the area saw his shot deflected away for a corner.
In the 35th minute Ryan Hansen tried his luck from 25 yards only for his shot to fly past the post. The last chance of the half came in the 41st minute when Shields on the left beat two defenders got to the by-line, his shot was pushed around the post by Terrell.
The second half took a bit of time to get going but it was Weymouth in the ascendancy as they looked for an equaliser and in the 53rd minute from a corner Jordan Thompson rose, his header came back of the post.
In the 69th minute they came close again when Brooklyn Genesini on the edge of the area saw his curling effort fly just past the post. Two minutes later and against the run of play Tonbridge got their third goal when Wagstaff won a tackle on halfway and passed into the path of Shields on the left, he cut inside and from 25 yards his curling effort hit the back of the net leaving Terrell with no chance.
The game suddenly changed and now Tonbridge were in charge, in the 84th minute Vincent on the left put Shields through and his shot from six yards was saved by Terrell.
Then in the 87th minute Weymouth got a goal back when Ezio Touray was put through, he raced clear of two defenders before sliding the ball past Steward.
This was typical Tonbridge and for the last eight minutes including injury time they survived, picked up the three points to the delight of the fans and Jay Saunders and his management team.
Tonbridge Angels:
- T.Steward (Debut) 2. C.Lama ( Debut 90+2) 4. R.Hanson 5. J.Tyrie 6. R.Nelson (Debut)
7. M.Dabre (62) 9. T.Robinson 14. J.Fielding 17. L.Vincent 22. S.Wagstaff (86) 23. S.Shields (90+2)
Subs Used: 20. J.Santos (62) 16. R.Clarke (86) 11. F.Shomotun (90+2) 18. N.Bakrin (90+2)
Sub Not Used: 15. H.Velvick
Bookings: 7. M.Dabre (12) 6. R.Nelson (60)
Weymouth:
- B.Terell 2. B.Genesini 5. J.Thompson 18. C.Jordan 15. B.Greenwood 7. K.O’connell (73)
4. C.Rowan (88) 8. T.Bearwish (81) 11. F.Amartey (81) 16. E.Pollock 9. M.Linton
Subs Used: 6. J.Mcquoid (73) 14. E.Touray (81) 12. A.Robinson (81) 3. L.Hamblin (99)
Sub Not Used: 17. C.Brooks
Bookings: 4. C.Rowan (21)
Referee: Mr N.Oaks
Assistants: Mr C.Roberts & Mr A.Mathieson
Fourth Official: Mr R.Myers
Att: 945