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Tonbridge Angels 1 Bromley 1 FA Trophy match report - Bromley win 3-2 on penalties

Tonbridge went out of the FA Trophy on penalties after a dramatic conclusion against Bromley.

Angels fell behind nine minutes from time, shortly after losing Harry Hudson to a red card.

Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm Picture: Dave Couldridge
Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm Picture: Dave Couldridge

But the 10 men took the last-16 tie to penalties with an 89th-minute equaliser from Joe Turner.

However, it was Bromley’s day with the National League high-fliers winning the shoot-out 3-2, Turner one of three players to miss.

Tonbridge made five changes to the side beaten at Eastbourne on Tuesday, including a return for in-form Tommy Wood.

Bromley, whose four-match winning streak ended at Southend in midweek, made nine changes to their team.

Clearly the priority for the Ravens is promotion but there was still pedigree in their side, with on-loan Brentford keeper Ellery Balcome and defender Ben Martgetson, a recent free transfer from Swansea, among those brought in.

Tonbridge started well, Balcome bailed out by his defence after an early scare - and were looking comfortable against the National League visitors.

Tom Beere was keeping the hosts ticking over, using the ball well in midfield, while Bromley offered little in the other direction.

That said, Andy Woodman’s side had the two best chances of a goalless first half, James Alabi clearing the bar after sliding in to meet Corey Whitely’s cross, and Whitely fired wide after Beere’s attempted clearance was cut out.

For Tonbridge, Beere was off target with a first-time effort after Craig Braham-Barrett’s low cross was partially cleared.

Turner, playing up top alongside Wood, saw a cracking 25-yard drive touched over by Balcome early in the second half, only for a goal-kick to be awarded.

While that was no more than a half-chance, Turner had a golden opening minutes later after arriving at the back post to meet Wood’s cross but he couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Referee Durkin pulled up injured 20 minutes from time, replaced by fourth official Byrne.

Moments after the change, Angels went close again when James Taylor’s strike in a crowded box was blocked by a grounded defender in the six-yard box.

Tonbridge found themselves a man down on 73 minutes after an off-the-ball incident behind keeper Jonny Henly, involving Hudson and Bromley’s Jude Arthurs, resulted in a red for the home defender.

The 10 men trailed nine minutes from time with Palace Francis converting a cross from fellow substitute Luke Coulson.

Angels refused to give in and Turner pounced for an 89th-minute equaliser after Balcome spilled the ball.

Tonbridge piled on the pressure in injury time, winning three successive corners, while Turner went close to a winner from Ibrahim Olutade’s pass.

Wood and Beere were the only players to score for Tonbridge in the shoot-out, with Tom Parkinson and Turner denied by Balcome, while Olutade hit the bar.

Tonbridge: Henly, Parkinson, Braham-Barrett, Beere, Miles, Hudson, Fielding (Olutade 86mins), Lovatt, Wood, Taylor (Smith-Joseph 79mins), Turner. Subs not used: O’Sullivan, Loft, Hermitage, McKimm, Green.

Referee: James Durkin.

Attendance: 2,061.

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