Wilson gives City dream start but Angels ascend to take win

City failed to build on an early Scott Wilson goal as they went down 2-1 to Tonbridge Angels this afternoon at the Yeomans Community Stadium.

With just six minutes on the clock Kieran Parselle crossed for Wilson to cleverly direct a header beyond keeper Rowley. The home side responded positively to this setback and had strong penalty appeals for handball waved away on 14 minutes. Three minutes later though and the referee was pointing to the spot when Danny Greenslade felled Baker. Akehurst’s perfectly struck penalty gave Harvey Wiles-Richards no chance. City should have regained the lead on the half hour. Josh Laqeretabua’s shot was parried by Rowley and the ball fell to Jaiden Putman but he crashed a shot against the bar from just five yards out. The rest of the half belonged to Tonbridge but City stood firm to reach the break level.

City had the first chance of the second half. Reubin Sheppard raced past his marker and pulled the ball back for Wilson but his shot was deflected narrowly wide. Moments later Tonbridge went ahead when Akehurst’s pass sent Babajide clear to slide the ball past Wiles-Richards. On the hour mark Sheppard repeated his earlier feat, this time leaving two Angels defenders in his wake. He elected to shoot this time forcing a smart stop by Rowley at his near post. Rather than sparking a fight-back City faded alarmingly after this and Tonbridge were only denied further goals by another excellent Wiles-Richards display. Even the welcome return to action of Brad Ash and Ollie Tomlinson failed to lift the Romans. In the last of seven minutes stoppage time a Jordan Alves cross almost fell to makeshift striker Joe Raynes but the ball ran tamely through to Rowley to leave City in an increasingly desperate situation in the National League South relegation zone.