Tonbridge Angels 2 St Albans City 0 match report: Second-half goals from Trevan Robinson and Timmy Abraham seal third successive National League South victory
21:47, 03 September 2024
updated: 21:47, 03 September 2024
Unbeaten Tonbridge continued their flying start to the National League South season by beating St Albans at Longmead.
Second-half goals from Trevan Robinson and substitute Timmy Abraham earned a third successive victory - all without conceding a goal.
They’re just two points behind leaders Hemel Hempstead, the only other unbeaten side in the division.
Tonbridge were dealt a blow before kick-off with five-goal leading scorer Sean Shields ruled out injured.
They looked to make light of Shields’ absence in a fast start that saw them pop the ball about well and play high up the pitch.
St Albans were largely starved of possession in those opening stages and when they did get hold of the ball, Ryan Hanson quickly stopped them in their tracks in midfield.
Angels’ early promise didn’t lead to any openings on goal, however, and St Albans steadily grew into match with Jack James a threat getting forward down the right.
The home back three, led by Jamie Fielding, denied the Saints a clear sight on Toby Steward’s goal.
But the Angels No.1 had to be alert before the 20-minute mark, though, when Joe Partington spotted him off his line and tried his luck with a free-kick from inside his own half.
The on-loan Pompey man raced back and pulled off a superb recovery save to keep the game goalless.
Tonbridge wing-back Liam Vincent fired wide after a free-kick on the edge of the box was blocked and Angels finished the half in the ascendancy with Robinson’s wicked ball across the face of goal deserving of someone on the end of it.
James missed the target for St Albans before the hour mark after running on to Giorgio Rasulo’s clever pass.
At the other end, a superb ball from substitute Jeremy Santos was crying out for a finish at the back post, then Robinson was denied by keeper Michael Johnson after racing through the middle.
Tonbridge had a goal ruled out for offside in the 67th minute, the flag going up against Fielding after Santos’ free-kick came back off the post.
But Angels were in front two minutes later, with Robinson poking home after keeper Johnson made a mess of coming for Santos’ free-kick.
It was a deserved opener for the hosts and with St Albans looking rattled at the back in the face of Robinson’s hassling and harrying, Jay Saunders’ side were well on top.
Robinson, having run himself into the ground, was substituted with 12 minutes left, and it was up to Timmy Abraham to take on the mantle up top.
The substitute made his mark with his first Angels goal in the 89th minute, finishing through the keeper’s legs after Mo Dabre’s shot was blocked.
Tonbridge: Steward, Lema, Hanson, Nelson, Dabre (Shomotun 90+4mins), Maloney, Robinson (Abraham 78mins), Fielding, Clarke (Santos 57mins), Vincent, Bakrin. Subs not used: Tyrie, Norburn.
St Albans: Johnson, James, Longe-King, Payne, Jeffers, Banton, Castiglione, Deadfield, Rasulo, Partington, Chinedo. Subs not used: Bowry, Meakes, Ralfe, Gauthier, Bone.
Referee: Tommy Breen.
Attendance: 849.