The Under-18’s cruised back to winning ways on Monday with a comfortable four goal win at Sheppey United.

Dom Welsh said after the game: “It was a dominant performance and we played some outstanding football in large periods that perhaps deserved more goals but the final pass didn’t always land.”

It was also good to see patience rewarded for a player who shone on the night: “A top performance from Rush Broderick, he has waited for his opportunity and absolutely took it tonight.”

When the wind blows off the estuary at Sheppey, it makes for a cold night and the number of “hoods up” bears testimony to the chill wind.

Tonbridge dominated the game from the first whistle to practically the last, although much credit should be given to a Sheppey side that acquitted themselves well to a difficult task, especially in the second half.

After early chances for Fiachra Pritchard and Robert Penman, the Angels took the lead after 15 minutes when Broderick set up Penman to score from the edge of the six yard box.

One-way traffic was maintained before, after 28 minutes, Adam Larkin’s cross found Tolu Fabimafobee in space on the right side of the box to finish between the goalkeeper and his near post. 

Just past the half-hour, the Angels were awarded a justified, but somewhat fortunate, penalty as a defender stumbled and fell on the ball clearly handling it in the process. Larkin converted from the spot.

Before the break, Noah Millis struck a fierce shot from 20 yards that cannoned down from the underside of the crossbar followed by the goalkeeper saving from River Ballach.

An early second half goal from Pritchard after good approach play from Fabimafobee and Ballach might have opened the door for an avalanche of goals but Sheppey worked hard to avoid such an occurrence.

The home side had their first real opportunity of the night on 55 minutes when their centre forward, who had grafted tirelessly, saw his shot go narrowly wide and the Angels’ goalkeeper, Josh Hanson, needed to be alert to save from the same attacker.

The Angels had several opportunities to add to their total but their touch in front of goal eluded them through the second period.