Angels end Clarets winning run
Scorelines can be deceptive and 1-0 to Tonbridge Angels might not sound that exciting but this game had everything with fine attacking moves and brave defensive work from both sides that in the end saw the hosts prevail but they had to work very hard for all the points against a very good Chelmsford side who arrived at Longmead having won their last five matches in all competitions.
There were two changes in the Angels starting lineup. Tariq Hinds came in for his first appearance in place of Jaden Crowhurst whose loan spell from Southend United has ended and Dylan Gavin was brought in for the strikers role with Louis Collins dropping to the bench. A new name for the Angels on tonight’s teamsheet as substitute was Nathan Wood ex Faversham, a midfielder.
The crowd of 930 hardly had time to take their seats when a great Angels move involving Turner and Soares set up Gavin well placed in front of the Chelmsford goal but somehow the effort was wide.
Chelmsford then had chances with Simeon Jackson but at the other end a cross from Soares gave Turner the chance with a header. The connection was sound but straight at Ejeheri who made the save but probably didn’t know too much about it.
There was another chance for Jackson but it was to be Tonbridge who opened the scoring. Some fine work by Soares-Junior set up Santos who had timed his run brilliantly and rifled the ball into the Chelmsford net, this on 13 minutes.
Seven minutes later another Tonbridge break saw the goalscorer again involved but it was just wide with Ejeheri scrambling.
Chelmsford were starting to come much more into the game with a succession of corners but Angels were dealing with the bombardment and also had a couple of moments for themselves as the half ran down with a Turner effort deflected for a corner and great work by Soares-Junior who put in a dangerous corner.
If the first half had been very open from both sides the second period was a somewhat more cagey affair with the visitors seeing more of the ball but the Angels putting up a superb defensive showing. That said the break for the Angels was always on.
For all their possession, the Clarets attack had become more predictable and there were few moments of real concern for the Angels defence. In fact the more clear cut chances came from the home side with Soares, Santos, Collins and Turner all threatening at times to increase the Angels lead.
In the end it appeared that Chelmsford had run out of ideas and Angels were able to celebrate a deserved three points.
Picture: Dave Couldridge. Man of the Match Jeremy Santos with skipper Sonny Miles.