Tonbridge Angels will be out for revenge when they travel to face The Sports tomorrow (Saturday) after Borough’s 2-0 win in the reverse fixture just over a fortnight ago.

An eventful night at Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium saw Adam Murray’s side win at Angels for the first time in the National League South.

It came after red cards to Garrett Kelly and Gianluca Botti saw Tonbridge end with nine men – whilst Kai Innocent and John Shamalo goals saw the Sports seal a comfortable 2-0 win.

Tonbridge, though, will feel they are still in the race for the top seven – and know that a win on the East Sussex coast would strengthen their bid for the play-offs.

The Manager

Jay Saunders‘ success in management is proven at these levels taking Maidstone United from the Isthmian South (Step 4) to the National League (Step 1) in just four seasons.   

But it is not only this landmark achievement for which he is recognised. Something of a club legend in his playing days at Margate, he made 373 appearances scoring a half century of goals mainly from defensive positions and gained 5 caps for the England semi-professional side.

Always popular and well respected with fans and players alike wherever his career has taken him, Jay displays a strong work ethic which has translated into his successes both on the pitch and in the dugout.

Appointed in the summer of 2022, Jay has a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding non-league football particularly within the South East area and at the highest levels of the pyramid right up to and including the National League.

Danger Man

Sean Shields has had a rich career, and started out joining Tottenham Hotspur as an eight year-old – spending eight years as a youth player with the north London giants. Whilst born in Enfield, he qualified to play for Northern Ireland through his father and made two Under-21 appearances for the Irish.

Moving into senior football, he found his first real home at St Albans City, where he made 71 appearances and scored 13 times in a three season spell. In 2013, he earned a move into the Football League when he joined Dagenham and Redbridge, then of League Two.

In a two year term, he made 13 appearances, but was also loaned back to St Albans with a further loan move to Ebbsfleet United, where in 2015 he really put down roots with a successful five season term in which he amassed 116 appearances, scoring 15 times.

Sean’s time at Stonebridge Road was also punctuated with various loan moves before departing for Weymouth in 2020 where he spent two seasons making 66 appearances (seven goals). He has established himself as a firm fans’ favourite at Longmead and was named Manager’s Player of the Season for 2023/24.

Head-to-Head

Borough’s 2-0 win at Longmead ended Tonbridge’s five-game winning run against the Sports, which started in May 2022.

The two teams are familiar foes, having first faced each other back in The Southern League in 2001 (as Langley Sports), and it’s the Sports who just edge the head-to-head record.

But as mentioned, it’s Tonbridge who have fared the better in recent years. Their last two trips to The ReachTV Stadium have seen them win 3-0 and 2-1, and Borough have only ever kept three clean sheets against Tonbridge – including that eventful win in mid-January.

Last season, goals from Jamie Fielding, a Dan Quick own goal and Jordan Greenidge sealed a comfortable win for the visitors, whilst two goals from Jack Wood, who has recently returned to Tonbridge, gave them a 2-1 win in March 2023.

Ticket Information

A reminder that buying in advance carries a generous discount – but purchase must be made before midnight tonight (Friday). Online admission prices are: Adults £15, Concessions £10, Under-18 and Students £5 with Under-12’s free with a paying adult.

Buy your ticket here now and save on matchday prices.