


Resilient Angels return home with a point
Many Tonbridge Angels supporters were left frustrated last night, not by their favourites admirable point at the Melbourne Stadium, a ground that rarely does Lady Luck do them any favours, but with a lorry fire at the Dartford Crossing that caused huge traffic congestion that left many, realising they were going to miss a huge chunk of the game, turning around at the first available slip road to return home.
Following a difficult, if at least eventually successful journey to Aveley on Saturday, our supporters won’t be too disappointed that it will be nearly Christmas before they have to do battle with the crossing once more.
Sadly, what they missed was a fine first half performance in which they dominated the game, led by a Liam Vincent goal and a resilient second half in which Chelmsford piled on the pressure both before and after their 70th minute equaliser.
Jay Saunders said of the performance: “I was really pleased with the first half, second half we lacked a little bit of quality and let them back into the game but we defended well for most of it, but a point away on a Monday night at Chelmsford is not an easy place and I’ll take that.”
On a cool evening, the first hint that Autumn is almost upon us, Saunders made two changes from the starting XI at Aveley. Nazir Bakrin came in for Joe Tyrie and Taylor Maloney for skipper Scott Wagstaff, full debuts for both additions.
The Angels started the better of the two sides with an decent effort from Vincent going just wide after eight minutes and an audacious effort from Maloney on 19 minutes that caused a ripple of concern for the Chelmsford goalkeeper, Collins. Maloney was to the fore again on 27 minutes with a dipping shot that just cleared the bar.
The Angels got their noses deservedly in front, on 38 minutes, when a through ball into the box saw Trevan Robinson pull the ball back for Vincent to score from around 10 yards.
Tonbridge held on to the lead at the break despite the home side having their best chance of the half when a diving header from Penney needed to be scrambled clear.
The second half became a bit of a rearguard action from the outset, a corner on 54 minutes required a goal line clearance and just past the hour, a shot from Callum Watts was wide, not troubling Toby Steward.
On 66 minutes, Chelmsford replaced ex-Angel Ibby Akanbi with Jake Hyde and it was the substitute that levelled the game for the Clarets four minutes later when a throw in was not properly cleared and Hyde found the bottom corner from around the penalty spot.
Tonbridge had to withstand a great deal of pressure in the closing 20 minutes, numerous corners but Steward was only asked to make one save of note with five minutes remaining.
Saunders also reflected: “Defensively we were better today, I would have loved a little one-nil even if it was an ugly one. It wasn’t to be but there was loads of positives, Taylor Maloney coming in and Naz coming in for their full debuts and both did really well.”
Picture: Kathryn Bell