ROUND TABLE
The second part of our discussion with leading figures of the game on all things Non-League
TONBRIDGE, whose season had been in danger of falling flat, gained victory over a Staines side who had recently been pushing hard for the play-offs.
Despite the defeat, the Swans showed enough to suggest they will continue to challenge in the end-of-season shake-up.
But it was Tonbridge, through a determined defensive display together with taking the few chances they created, that took the honours on the day.
With the visitors on a fivematch winning streak and the hosts having lost their last three, the opening exchanges went to form. Staines laid siege to the Tonbridge goal and after nine minutes deservedly went ahead when, following four saves in quick succession from Angels keeper Jonny Henly, Daniel Brown fired the ball high into the roof of the net.
Tonbridge got back into the game when an excellent free-kick from Sam Bantick gave an unchallenged Alex Akrofi the opportunity to head past keeper Conor Hudnott.
This spurred Angels to take a more assertive role and on 23 minutes Bantick forced a terrific save out of Hudnott as he cut in from the right. A minute later the same player, this time drifting out to the left, unleashed a shot that Hudnott could not deal with.
Chances then fell to Elliott Buchanan and Mo Bettamer for the visitors and Akrofi and Bantick for the hosts in a fairly even affair.
The second half saw more possession for Staines but they came up against a resilient Tonbridge defence who worked hard for each other with always an extra man to back up.
So efficient were the Angels back line that Henly was required to make only the one save, in the 79th minute from Buchanan.
At the other end Akrofi was a constant threat and provided a great outlet to take the pressure off the Angels defence.
As the game reached its conclusion Staines poured men forward in an effort to get something from the game but it was in vain as the Angels held firm.
Angels boss Steve McKimm said: “The effort the boys put in was brilliant.
“Staines are a good side and they showed plenty of that, but the boys deserve praise for the way they applied themselves against a strong forward line and took their chances when they came.
“They have come in for some recent criticism but they answered that emphatically.”
STAR MAN: Alex Akrofi (Tonbridge Angels) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★