Both sides went into this game unbeaten and at the end it was the Kent side that retained that tag, winning the game with a first half goal. Had it not have been for the heroics of AFC goalkeeper Marcus Garnham it would have been by a much wider margin.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold introduced two new faces to his squad with the dual registered duo of Ryan Auger and Anthony Furlonge coming in from Bishop’s Stortford. There were changes to the starting line-up with Ben Robinson dropping to the bench and Adam Tann taking the right back slot.

The game started with the visitors on the front foot but the first real effort fell to Luke Callander and he hit a shot that hit the post.

Garnham had to make the first of his great saves in the eleventh minute. Ryan Henshaw made a mistake and let in Elder but the Sudbury keeper was there to block the shot.

Aaron Greene for AFC broke away but he chose to shoot when perhaps the better options were waiting in the middle, the shot was weak at Di Bernardo in the Tonbridge goal.

Tann was the first player of the day to be booked as he committed a heavy tackle on Fortnam-Tomlinson.

The breakthrough came on twenty-five minutes when Dundas on the right wing got in a cross and found Allen who side footed the ball home.

Garnham was then called upon to deny Wheeler as he cut in from the left and the Sudbury man saved his hard shot low down.

Callander who had been struggling with what looked like a hamstring injury for some time had to go off and Liam Wales came on. Just before the half-time interval AFC were dealt another injury blow with Craig Parker eventually having to be stretchered off with an ankle injury. New boy Ryan Auger was his replacement for the remained of stoppage time.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Sam Bantick took charge as AFC had a free-kick centrally about twenty-two yards out but his shot was easily saved by Di Bernardo. Wales was putting in the effort up front but two many highballs were eluding the small in stature man.

Angels were still a threat and after a breakaway Auger had to head over to clear danger. From the corner Garnham had to be alert to smother the ball. Another Tonbridge corner saw Elder head the ball against the crossbar.

Garnham was called upon to make a fantastic save from Elder as the Tonbridge front man burst through, the Sudbury keeper sticking out a hand saving the follow up shot from Wheeler.

Auger who had been off the field to receive treatment returned but did not last long. He had to be substituted and his replacement was his loanee friend Anthony Furlonge. The changes forced AFC to alter the position of several players with Tann going into midfield, Furlonge to right back and Rob Eagle also in midfield.

On seventy-eight minutes Garnham again came to the rescue with two great saves to keep the Kent side out. Shortly afterwards he again was in action to dive low down to deny Wheeler.

James Baker was booked for what the match official saw as a two-footed tackle that led to an unnecessary scrimmage of players.

The final minutes of the game saw AFC press more but Tonbridge stood firm and they at the end of ninety minutes were the first side to defeat AFC this season.

Att 351

YNOT