This tie might have been National South vs Isthmian Premier but it always felt like something of a potential banana skin for the Angels.  That opinion certainly had some basis for fact during the first half when the visitors had two or three chances to have opened the scoring which on another day they might well have put away.  

Not that the Angels were without threat mainly through their wide play which produced plenty of crosses but either lacking accuracy  or central attackers simply not quite arriving in time.  Bognor on the other hand were providing the slightly better movement and with it the more potent goal threat.  Chances came to them in the 5th, 12th and 29th Minutes. 

For the Angels on 8 minutes a clever pass from James Folkes put in Joe Turner but he made a mess of his attempted shot. On 23 minutes a Folkes cross to the near post set up Tom Derry and Turner again but neither could take advantage.

Turner made full amends on the 44th minute running in on a delightful Folkes cross to put the Angels one up just before half time but perhaps slightly against the run of play.

If the game had seen Bognor the slightly more assertive despite being in arrears during the first period, the hosts changed all that with a blistering 25 minutes  after the break during which time they doubled their advantage. 

A fine run by Jack Parter in the 60th minute  forced Amadou Tangara in the away goal into a fine save but just two minutes later Christ Tiehi despite being outnumbered on the right was able to create enough space to send in a brilliant cross that found centre forward Tom Derry who smashed the ball past Tangara.  Further home chances fell to Tiehi, Turner, and Derry bit they weren’t able to quite kill the game off.

Despite that, defensively Tonbridge appeared comfortable in dealing with the increasing number of Bognor attacks as the game went through the three quarter mark.  Suddenly however Angels supporters were anxiously looking at their watches at The Rocks were awarded a penalty kick in the 83rd minute for holding duly converted by James Crane.  The team in blue are learning however how to shut the gate and that late goal for Bognor proved to be only a consolation. 

Afterwards, Angels coach Tom Parkinson said: “It wasn’t always the greatest performance but in cup football it’s all about getting through to the next round and getting that prize money.”

Our picture shows Joe Turner scoring the first goal for the Angels. Picture by David Couldridge