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Sport

Tonbridge Angels 0 Weston-super-Mare 1 match report: Jonathan Bastin’s first-half strike settles National League South clash at Longmead

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:04, 12 August 2023

Updated: 17:05, 12 August 2023

Tonbridge are still to get off the mark in National League South this season after losing at home to Weston.

They lost 1-0 for the second weekend running, with the Seagulls taking the points through Jonathan Bastin’s first-half goal.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: David Couldridge

Angels bossed the second half, going closest when Stefan Payne hit the post as part of a big double chance, but wound up empty-handed.

Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders made two changes to the side edged at Worthing on the opening day.

Jernade Meade made his debut in place of the suspended Kodi Lyons-Foster, while Joe Turner came in for Nathan Wood.

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Newly-promoted Weston, 1-0 winners over Havant on the opening day, had the best of the first half.

They looked sharper in midfield, with Angels sloppy at times, while Lloyd Humphries led a well-organised defence who were difficult to get in behind.

Angels had Jordan Higgs booked inside five minutes - one of those committed challenges that took the ball but often pick up a yellow card these days.

That gave the Seagulls an advantage in the middle of the park, with Higgs having to tread carefully, although there wasn’t much in the game in the way of chances.

The first opening fell to the visitors, with ex-Football League striker Reuben Reid firing wide with the angle against him.

Angels started to get Ruben Soares-Junior and Tariq Hinds into the game down the right while lone striker Tommie Fagg headed over from Lewis Gard’s cross.

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The only goal came in the 25th minute.

Route one did the job for Weston with Kieran Thomas’ long ball forward catching out the defence and reaching Bastin, who fired past Jonny Henly from the edge of the box.

Tonbridge, who lost Ben Swift to injury before the half was out, went close to an equaliser when Soares’ strike was headed off the line, while Gard fired over soon after.

Angels showed promise down the right a couple of times early in the second half, although crosses from Scott Wagstaff and Hinds were dealt with.

At the other end, Weston skipper Humphries caught the stanchion from a 25-yard free-kick.

Angels introduced summer signing Payne just after the hour mark, replacing Higgs.

And with momentum building, Soares-Junior was denied from point-blank range by Weston keeper Harrison Lee, who stuck out a leg to make an excellent save.

Payne had a golden double chance to level after beating the offside trap with 15 minutes left.

The former Welling man hit the inside of the far post with his first effort and after picking up the loose ball six yards out saw Samuel Avery make an outstanding block from the rebound.

Tonbridge continued to push for a leveller but almost conceded a second on the break, with substitute Marlon Jackson denied after James Morton fed Thomas.

Substitute Ibby Akanbi worked half-chances for Wagstaff and Soares in the closing minutes, while Fagg had an added-time strike blocked.

Angels keeper Henly stayed up for a couple of late corners as Tonbridge desperately tried to force a late equaliser.

Tonbridge: Henly, Hinds, Fielding, Swift (Parkinson 45mins), Meade, Higgs (Payne 61mins), Gard, Wagstaff, Soares-Junior, Fagg, Turner (Akanbi 71mins). Subs: Powell, Wood.

Weston: Lee: Thomas, Pope, Cane, Humphries, Avery, Morton, Todd, Mannings, Bastin, Reid (Jackson 45mins). Subs: Murray, Parnell, Soule, Jackson, Grubb.

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.

Attendance: 827.

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