Tonbridge Angels 1 Worthing 0

TONBRIDGE Angels sent a message they are not to be written off with a dominating win against 10-man Worthing thanks to a goal of the season contender from Steve Sodje.

The narrow victory does not reflect the Angels control over a team who beat them 4-0 just five weeks ago.

Five performances like this in their remaining games will keep the Angels in the Ryman Premier League but player-boss Tony Dolby knows consistency is the key.

He said: "I said to the boys they owe me one and they owe themselves. You could tell the passion was there, the commitment was there, and they wanted to die for the cause and if that remains the case for the next five games, we’ll give ourselves a chance of staying up.

"Consistency is a key thing but I’d like to think I’ve implemented something in their minds now that they can keep over the next few weeks."

Early chances for Danny Lye and Richard Brady lifted the home crowd as Dolby opted for a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to rattle Worthing, who have little to play for, from the start.

Steve Sodje was the central striker of the three, more for his aerial ability than finishing power, but he showed what he was capable of in the 23rd minute.

John Beales’ cross was headed out to the edge of the area where Sodje was casually strolling forward.

As the ball dropped, he hit a first time volley that almost tore the top corner of the net, to the delight, and no little surprise, of his manager.

"With Sodje it either goes over the stands and kills a few crows in the trees or it goes in the top corner," said Dolby with a smile. "Luckily for us it was the latter today."

It was a goal that deserved to win any game but it should not have been the only one.

Sodje had another chance but the ball came off his knee as it arrived quickly to him and Nick Barnes’ free-kick eluded both Tim Hambley and Beales.

The half was overshadowed by a clash of heads between Lye and Marc Cable after half an hour, with the physio immediately signalling for an ambulance to be called. Cable recovered to play out the first half but Lye was taken to hospital to receive 10 stitches in a serious head wound that may end his season.

The second half saw Tonbridge again dominate without adding the insurance goal that would have eased the nerves of fans who have responded to Dolby’s call for more vociferous support.

The closest Tonbridge came to a second was a Leroy Huggins header that drew a fabulous one-handed save from Marc Ormerod.

As Worthing pressed for an equaliser, the Angels had several more breaks without a finishing touch but Dolby realises the value of results over performance, as the Angels won their first game without conceding all season.

He said: "We looked pretty solid so it was a very pleasing three points and clean sheet. I made the decision we’d be a bit more attacking with the three lads up front but that means nothing if the defence doesn’t do their job.

"But in all departments we’ve done our jobs, kept disciplined and looked dangerous creating lots of chances."

Tonbridge: Turner, Beales, Roser, Hambley, Cramp, Farley, Brady (Piscina), Lye (Dolby), Huggins, Barnes, Sodje (May).* Listen to Tony Dolby’s post-match interview with kmfm sports editor Simon Watts…