Tonbridge Angels recorded their 4th league win in an unbeaten run that saw them last taste defeat on New Years Day, and currently sit just one point off the play off the places. 

The win was achieved more through hard work rather than flair but this team is working well together with every member knowing exactly what their job is and linking well with their team mates.   As Dulwich were to find out, if you fall behind  playing the Angels, it’s difficult to restore parity.  

Striker Jordan Greenidge was restored to the starting line up while Devonte Aransibia was preferred to Bivesh Gurung in midfield with Ruben Soares-Junior dropping to the bench

It was Hamlet who were the first to show after 10 minutes with Cameron Thompson’s shot forcing Jonny Henly into a tip over.  Twelve minutes later a foul on Joe Turner just outside the Dulwich area eventually led to a chance for the victim but the ball came too quickly and he blasted over the bar.

On 28 minutes it was again the irrepressible Turner moving with speed down the inside left channel but the hit was straight at Grainger in the Dulwich goal.  

On the half hour  mark there was some trickery from Hamlet’s Will Wood but his final effort was deflected for a corner.  Two minutes later it was again Turner involved with an effort that was once again foiled by Grainger. 

The 37th minute saw once again Turner heavily involved in an Angels offensive and it was his cross that was expertly turned into the Dulwich goal to open the scoring by Jordan Greenidge.

Angels should really have been two up by the break but were prevented from doing so by a fantastic double save from Grainger in the 44th minute. 

The second period saw the home side with more possession but not necessarily able to use it In the most productive fashion. On 58 minutes Tariq Hinds always a useful outlet for Angels forced a great save from Grainger and as the half progressed the central midfield trio of Gard, Aransibia and Fagg became increasingly influential in frustrating the Hamlet attack.

On 75 minutes Dulwich should have drawn level but somehow Angels were able to defend their goal.   Dulwich continued to press but suddenly there was an Angels break.  Fagg laid the ball off beautifully for Turner who was clear although perhaps a little too right. It didn’t matter as his shot cannoned off a Dulwich defender straight into his own goal and Angels were two ahead timed at 81 minutes.  

It perhaps should have been game set and match for Tonbridge but there was a twist in the tail.  An altercation on the touch line seemed to create a loss of concentration and that was to Dulwich’s advantage.  On 86 minutes following something of a scramble in front of the Angels goal, Owusu slid in at the back post and Dulwich not undeservedly got their goal. 

Angels had to survive a last few minutes of Dulwich pressure but survive they did and the win saw them move to 9th in National League South.

Jay Saunders, Angels Boss, said after the game: “If I’m honest, I don’t think we were at our best but we found a way to win and I have to be delighted with the result.”

Picture: David Couldridge.  Jordan Greenidge celebrates his goal.