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Aveley Preview

All you need to know ahead of Saturday's visit from Aveley

Time to dust ourselves down following Tuesday evening’s disappointing result against Enfield Town and welcome our visitors on Saturday, Aveley.

Aveley are at present sitting within the relegation zone having accumulated 15 points from their 20 games and last Saturday exited the FA Trophy at the Third Round stage at National League high-flyers Barnet following a creditable 2-0 defeat.

Aveley have four league wins this season, three at home and one away, at Enfield in October. Their other victories have been against Dorking Wanderers, Boreham Wood and most recently a 6-3 goalfest against St Albans City, where Razzaq Coleman De-Graft scored a hat-trick. Coleman and David Kawa are Aveley’s leading scorers with six each.

Familiar faces in the squad are three former Angels, although for two of them their stays were brief. Luke Allen, a midfielder who was a mainstay of Steve McKimm's Isthmian Premier Division side of the 2010’s, making 83 appearances and scoring 15 times. The others are strikers: Luke Holness, who had a short time with us in Jay's first season and Ibby Akanbi, who started last season at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium.

Our first away game of this season took us to Parkside on a very warm August afternoon. The Angels fans had to do battle with the Dartford Tunnel traffic but those who arrived saw their team return home with a well-earned point courtesy of a Liam Vincent penalty and a Sean Shields equaliser, having twice gone behind.

Last season’s encounter here at Longmead also brought a share of the points with a 65th minute Ben Swift header cancelling out a first half penalty from Oluwadara Odembi. Jay told Kent Online after Tuesday evening’s defeat:

“I’ve been really blunt with them in there. They know, players aren’t silly. As we came off at the end, we got some stick from the supporters, and rightly so, because it wasn’t good enough. The players know we need a big response.

“The boys are capable of bouncing back, we know that. We’ve not become a bad team overnight, and if we can win on Saturday then we move on.”

On the visit of Aveley, Jay added:

“There are no easy games in this league,” he said.

“When you look in the leagues below, you kind of think: ‘This game’s a guaranteed three points’, but I don’t think there is that in this league because everyone’s got good individuals who can hurt you.

“You have to give Enfield credit on Tuesday, they came here, they worked their socks off, and when they had their chances they took them.”

Admission prices to the game are: Adults £17; Concessions £14; Youths £7 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE

Gates open at 1 pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 1 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 1.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar will be closed for a private function. The Marquee will be open, where for a Happy Hour, there will be £1 off all pints of draught lagers and ciders.

Our award-winning programme is available from the Programme Hut, priced at £3 and will feature reflections from Jay Saunders, club captain Scott Wagstaff and a board member, reports from our men’s and women’s first team games plus youth teams.

Today’s match sponsors are Tonbridge Angels Walking Football Cub. The Angels have a thriving Senior Footballing Community, covering Over 50’s, Over 60’s and a Ladies team. All teams compete in their respective Kent Leagues and are having a very successful season. The Ladies currently top their League and both the Over 50’s and 60’s are in close contention at the top of their respective divisions. Match Reports and updates can be found on the Community page of the Club website and on our Social Media sites. If you are interested in taking part, the Community inclusive sessions are held on Thursday afternoons 4-5.30 pm on the 3G pitch at Longmead Stadium. Sessions cost £5 but your first game is free. Both Ladies and Gents welcome. For more information please contact either: Dom Welsh 07587 238635 Graham Smith 07801456424 Glyn Hollands 07504278906 or Craig Knowles 07769357366

Anybody requiring paper tickets for the Maidstone game on Boxing Day can purchase them from the club shop on Saturday.

Enjoy the game!




Published Thursday 12th December 2024