Report and picture : Wink Tomkinson
Tonbridge Angels eased their way into the First Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-0 win at Ashford United. The Angels scored two first half goals and withstood a spirited second half performance from the home side.
An electrifying run from Harry Day right from the kick off was ended with him being brought down into the box for the award of a penalty after just 17 seconds. Harry London’s penalty was well saved by the goalkeeper, Sonny Dixon to preserve the early parity of score.
Tonbridge’s goalkeeper, Lewis Wilkins, was called into action after five minutes, turning away a shot from Matisse Thompson at his near post. But the visitors were dominating the early stages and took a deserved lead after 12 minutes when a long ball forward from Will Puffette sent London clear to open the scoring with a composed finish.
Buoyed by their lead, the Angels totally dominated the rest of the first half with the goalkeeper saving well from London; Hayden Velvick hitting a post and good strike from Billy Robbins from 20 yards that was narrowly wide before the Angels finally extended their lead on the half-hour. Josh McArthur was brought down in the box for a penalty award that was converted by Johnny Walker, who sent the keeper the wrong way.
Tonbridge might have put the game to bed when a good move ended with Day having his shot blocked before Wilkins was pressed into action twice in the final minutes of the half as Ashford served notice that they were still in the game.
They should have reduced the deficit after two minutes of the second half when they were awarded a penalty but Wilkins read Luke Prior’s intention and saved comfortably to his left.
This did herald a spirited second half from the home side that saw Wilkins save well on a couple of occasions and another effort that only found the side netting.
The visitors were not without their chances to put the game beyond doubt with Day shooting over after some fine work by Leo Vowles and substitute Will Saunders working the goalkeeper.
The Angels saw the game out largely on the front foot to thoroughly deserve their place in the next round.
Tommy Parkinson commented after the game that his team were not at their best, especially in the final third but gave Ashford credit for fighting to the end.