Angels spot on at Gills’ expense Hak’s generous gesture
Tonbridge fancy a day out at Gillingham’s ground after knocking them out of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night. Angels won 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Longmead to set up a Quarter-Final tie at Isthmian League Ramsgate. They’re two wins from the final which is returning to Priestfield this season after being staged at non-league grounds in recent years.
“I treat the Kent Cup as an opportunity to give the supporters a good day out,” said Tonbridge manager Jay Saunders.
“It’s always nice if you can get to a cup final. I had it last season at Margate, getting to the League Cup Final, and it’s good for the fans.
“Ramsgate won’t be easy in the next round but we’ll give it a good go. “The supporters enjoyed it against Gillingham.
“No matter what team they put out, they’re still the only Football League club in Kent. “They made changes, which they were always going to do, but they still had players with Football League experience. “We haven’t got the squad to rest loads of people, so everyone who was available played.
“We went as strong as we could and, like I said to the players, it’s an opportunity if we keep going to get to a final at Priestfield.”
Tommie Fagg gave Tonbridge a third-minute lead, with Jayden Clarke levelling for Gillingham in the second half.
Joe Turner, Devonte Aransibia, Fagg and Ruben Soares scored from the spot as Angels progressed.
“First half, we were good,” said Saunders. “We caused them problems. “Second half, I felt the tempo died a lot and it was more like a pre-season game but we wanted to get through and we did.” Tonbridge, who drew 0-0 with Braintree last weekend, host in-form Worthing this Saturday (3pm) in what is due to be the final game of prolific striker Jordan Greenidge’s loan.
The Rebels - last season’s Isthmian Premier champions - are fourth in National South after four successive victories. “They’re a really good side,” said Saunders.
“They’ve been together for a few years and Adam (Hinshelwood, boss) has added to it with quality in key areas.
“When it’s like that, everyone knows their jobs, how each other plays and where they should all be on the pitch and with that comes success.” Bivesh Gurung, who’s joined on a month’s loan from Maidstone, could make his Angels debut.
Ex-Maidstone manager Hakan Hayrettin has given his National South title medal to a six-year-old supporter who will “treasure it for the rest of his life”.
Hayrettin struck up a friendship with the Wright family - mum Becca, dad Matt and children Joshua and Oliver - during his time as Stones boss.
Having initially planned to leave the medal on display at the Gallagher Stadium following his sacking last month, he instead passed it on to Joshua, making the schoolboy’s day.
“I have to say, we are blown away by the enormity and generosity of this,” said Joshua’s dad in a message to Hayrettin.
“Hakan, this is truly an amazing thing to do - thank you.
“When he collected the medal I don’t think it had really sunk in about what it was and how
lucky he was - but it has now. “This is something that he will absolutely treasure for the rest of his life.
“Thank you for giving up something personal to you for Joshua.”