TONBRIDGE ANGELS have found their goalscoring touch but their travelling fans were treated to a rollercoaster ride.
The Angels seem to have become more resilient and rediscovered the confidence to fight their way back into the game.
The arrival of Chinedu McKenzie from Haringey has allowed manager Steve McKimm to play two up front and has taken the pressure of Alex Read, which has helped him improve.
McKenzie is a handful for defenders with his unpredictable style and gives the option of playing the ball long in a more direct style.
In the ninth minute Joe Turner, who tirelessly worked the flanks, struck a free kick from a wide position straight into the goal.
Bishop’s Stortford were on level terms in the 17th minute when Ben Warman’s low shot from 20 yards out bounced past keeper Jonny Henly into the far corner.
On the half-hour the Angels went behind when a James Folkes clearance fell to Ryan Charles, whose accurate cross evaded Henly and Jamie Cureton converted at the back post.
The home defence was struggling to cope with crosses, however, and the Angels were to ruthlessly expose this frailty in the second half.
The 47th minute saw Tom Parkinson head Turner’s cross back across goal for McKenzie to place the ball past the home goalkeeper Arthur Janata for the equaliser.
Two minutes later the Angels saw their lead restored when Turner claimed his second, bursting through and giving Janata no chance after excellent work from McKenzie.
The visitors were well on top at this point and Arthur Lee’s long throw in the 67th minute was headed on by Parkinson, McKenzie applying the finishing touch to make it 4-2.
With two minutes remaining, the home side had a lifeline through Johnvile Renee but the Angels hung on to remain unbeaten in 2019.
Tonbridge move up to eighth in the Bostik League Premier, two points off the playoff places, and now host league leaders Haringey Borough on Saturday [January 26, kick-off 3pm].
