TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies took a big stride towards securing a top-two finish in the South-East Counties Women’s League by beating their nearest rivals, third-placed Long Lane Development, at Kidbrooke.
The home side were only able to field ten players but they proved more than a match for the -Tonbridge squad, who were made to battle for all three points right to the end.
Defender Flo Anastasiou was switched to right wing, a move that paid off in the 26th minute when Lauryn Underhill played the ball across and Anastasiou curled a shot in off the far post from the angle, her first goal for the club.
The scores were level within six minutes following after a lapse of concentration in the Angels defence.
Underhill was tackled strongly inside her own half and the ricochet cleared the Tonbridge centre-backs, the Long Lane forward finishing neatly in a one-on-one with Sam Wright.
However, Tonbridge regained the lead just before half-time when Nancy Syrett’s corner was -collected by the prolific Becky Janes, who found the bottom corner from 15 yards out.
It had been a high-tempo first half but the pace of the game slowed significantly in the second and clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side.
Angels defended their slim lead and their best chances came from counter-attacks, but a strong showing from Lorrie Hyland in the Long Lane goal thwarted the visitors.
Angels now require three wins from the last five games to guarantee themselves a top two finish behind the leaders Thamesview Ladies.
The team now have a fortnight to prepare for their Kent County Plate quarter-final at home to Glebe on Sunday January 21 (kick-off 2pm).
