TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies will play their first ever cup semi-final at Longmead Stadium after they worked hard to defeat Oasis Community at Tonbridge Farm.
The Sheppey-based visitors are second in the Kent Division Two East, a level below the Angels, and their well-marshalled defence restricted Tonbridge’s chances despite a lot of possession.
They needed a goal to open up the game and it arrived in style within a minute of the restart.
A cross from Kelly Moran caused a moment of hesitation from Oasis sweeper Charley Morrow at the near post and this was enough for striker Becky Janes to pounce, lifting the ball over her shoulder and firing in from the tightest of angles.
Tonbridge’s forwards were kept at bay by the impressive visiting keeper Gemma Norton.
But the lead was eventually doubled in the 77th minute when Nancy Syrett’s ball into the left channel released Janes, who lobbed Norton.
A place in the Kent Divisional Cup semi-final was confirmed when Sharon Lyons’ free-kick was converted by Lauryn Underhill in the final minute.
Manager Dan Couldridge said: “It was a fantastic all-round performance, Oasis were well-organised defensively, which required plenty of patience and belief that we would eventually break the deadlock.
“With goalkeeper Sam Wright unavailable with a shoulder injury, we were grateful to Tracy Edwards who stepped in at the 11th hour and produced a solid performance to earn her second consecutive clean sheet.”
Diamond United, who are top of Oasis’s division, will be the visitors to Longmead Stadium for the semi-final on Sunday, April 8.
