Tonbridge Angels lost ground in their hunt for the play-off places as they lost by a single goal to promotion rivals Torquay United this afternoon.
Tonbridge started quickly as they knew they had to win to keep the dream alive of getting into the play-offs and in the fourth minute a corner into the Torquay six-yard box saw the ball bounce all over the place before being hacked clear.
In the 16th minute Sean Shields put Jack Wood through and his lob from 18 yards went over James Hannon but just went past the post. Torquay started to get into the game and dominated possession without causing any problems.
Then in the 35th minute they took a deserved lead when the ball came into the Angels area and Matt Jay saw his shot from ten yards come back off the post but to Jordan Young who from 15 yards shot home.
The rest of the half saw both sides giving the ball away and probably could not wait for half time. Half time arrived and the visitors would have been pleased as their away record was not that brilliant while Tonbridge would want to up the ante and get at the Torquay defence.
The second half started like the first with Tonbridge on top as in the 47th minute they were unlucky not to equalise when Shield went on a mazy run in the area beating three defenders before seeing his shot from eight yards come back of the post.
In the 62nd minute it was nearly two when a corner into the area was eventually cleared off the line by Liam Vincent. Tonbridge were now trying to get the equaliser as in the 70th minute a cross to the back post found Wood who controlled it and then saw his 18-yard shot go just past the post.
In the 82nd minute Tonbridge thought they should have had a penalty when Shields went through on goal and tried to go round Hannon who got a hand to the ball and pushed it out for Mo Dabre to try and get to it before Hannon, but it looked like Hannon fouled Dabre in the area, but the referee played on.
In the fourth minute of added on time Tonbridge nearly equalised when Bailey Akehurst’s cross saw Ronny Nelson head downwards towards goal but Hannon got down and stretching pushed it around the post. In the next minute an overzealous referee sent Jay Saunders off for dissent.
The final whistle went, and the players and supporters of the West Country club were ecstatic while the Tonbridge faithful were stunned but they know their players will continue to try and get as many points as they can as the season progresses.
Tonbridge Angels:
1. M.Rowley 6. R.Nelson 8. T.Mahoney (68) 10 L.Botti (59) 11. J.Wood 12. M.Berry (30) 14. J.Fielding
16. C.Ward (90+1) 17. L.Vincent 23. S.Shields 30 E.Sutcliffe
Subs Used: 7. M.Dabre (30) 21. B.Peart (59) 3. B.Akehurst (68) 18. N.Bakrin (90+1)
Subs Not Used: 13. A.Norburn
Bookings: 17. L.Vincent (89)
Sent Off: Jay Saunders (Manager)
Torquay United:
1. J.Hannon 4. J.Dyer 5. S.Dreyer 7. L.Hasani 8. J.Young (84) 14. M.Carson (84) 17. O.Zanzala
20. D.Hayfield 22. W. Jenkins-Davis 26. J.Thomas 27. M.Jay (90+4)
Subs Used: 3. J.Foulston (84) 18. O.Threlkeld (84) 16. E.Palmer (90+4)
Subs Not Used: 2. F.Craske 10. O.Mussa
Bookings: 17. O.Zanzala (53)
Referee: Mr D.England
Assistants: Mr D.Johnston & Mr A.Crossley
4th Official: Mr H.Phillips