It’s a well used cliche, but as the title race in the Isthmian Youth East Division moves into its final three games, Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s manager, Dom Welsh, said after his side’s 3-1 win over Chatham Town: “We have to take each game as it comes, ultimately it seems likely that we will need to win all three of our remaining games and hope that Welling slip up somewhere.”

On paper, Welling United’s run-in looks a little tougher than the Angels, who also hold a significant advantage in terms of goal difference. On Wednesday evening the match between Sutton Common Rovers (not out of the race) and Welling ended with a 3-1 win for Welling.

On Monday evening, the Angels recovered from going a goal behind on eight minutes to lead 2-1 at the break before adding a third goal with five minutes remaining. Dom Welsh said of the game: “We were not at our best but we had our good moments. It got a bit tense, but we defended really well and, bar the goal, they didn’t really have a shot of note at goal.”

Chatham’s opener came when a through ball to Fallon Chime saw the Angels defence looking for an offside decision that never came and allowing the forward to clinically finish.

Tonbridge’s response was good and they were quickly back on level terms when good work down the right from River Ballach saw his cross deftly turned in at the near post by Robert Penman, whose goal was his 20th of the season.

Tonbridge now had the momentum and with Tolu Fabimafobee coming to the fore, the Chats were under a good deal of pressure with the winger twice testing the goalkeeper.

Chatham were never out of the game though, forcing successive corners and, from one, a header from Clarence Tambe was narrowly wide.

But the Angels took a lead into the break when they scored on 42 minutes after goalkeeper, George Ray, had made successive saves from Noah Millis, the follow-up from Ishe Hunidzarira, before the ball broke for Fabimafobee to bury into the corner.

Whilst the Angels dominated the second half with a shot from Callum Fincham that was deflected wide on 64 minutes and a goal disallowed on 79 minutes, there was a huge sigh of relief when a header from Chatham Colin Igboma cleared the bar.

The game was finally made safe with five minutes remaining when the ever-dangerous Fabimafobee set up Fincham to finish well from the left side of the box.

Dom Welsh added: “We can only do what is in our own hands, but if Welling go on and win every one of their last seven games you have to congratulate them and say they have deserved it.”