Tonbridge Angels 1-0 Cray Wanderers - Angels boss dedicates Cup Final win to Maddams - EXCLUSIVE

The young Angel tragically died in his sleep a few weeks ago, aged just seventeen, and reserve team manager Leigh wore a t-shirt as a tribute.

Tonbridge Angels, who play their second string football in the Suburban League Southern Division, weren’t troubled by a Cray Wanderers side that play in the Kent League first division, arguably a weaker standard.

The Angels had created numerous chances before scoring what turned out to be the decisive goal after 33 minutes.

Alex Rich, a former first-team player at neighbouring Kent League outfit Tunbridge Wells, delivered a left-footed corner towards the far post and this was met by Matt Crane’s bullet header, which found the net from six-yards.

Cray Wanderers’ best chance of the night, however, arrived just six minutes from time when striker Jamie Humphris’ right-footed 30-yarder was beaten away by the diving Tonbridge goalkeeper Martin Grant.

“We had enough chances I think to have got another goal, maybe two goals, but we made a little bit of hard work of it really, all things considering,” Leigh said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“That said, apart from the save near the end that Martin had to make, I don’t think they had many opportunities on goal really.”

Leigh was delighted with the turn-out of 191 for tonight’s reserve team Cup Final.

“With the ressies, I must admit we do get quite a reasonable crowd down watching,” he said. “In fact, I’d go as far and say some of them are better than the Kent League sides.

“Support wise it’s quite good but for some of them to play in front of that number of fans, yes, it’s great for them, it’s good for the players and it’s good for the club as well.”

But Leigh admitted that he was disappointed that his players didn’t take the opportunity to impress the Longmead faithful.

“I think some of the boys had an opportunity tonight to impress and I have to say in fairness possibly they didn’t take that opportunity as well perhaps they should have done,” said Leigh.

But the former Sevenoaks Town manager believes Martin Grant will be battling for the number one jersey with first-team star Matt Reed next season.

“Grant has done himself no harm since he’s been at the club,” said Leigh. “He’s an all-round quality keeper, he’s still young, still learning his trade and I think next season will be a big season for him.

“If we get things in the right place regarding coaching and he works with the first team keeper next year, I think he has every opportunity.

“With the rest of them, I think the step-up, if we get the step-up next season, we’ll be changing lots of things, what we do and how we prepare for the games and I’ll be looking for more commitment.

“There are players with ability who could do it (play for the first team).”

Leigh admitted Maddams loss was “gut-wrenching”, saying: “We’ve had our moments over the last few weeks and I think it’s well documented what’s happened to Jacko was a gut-wrench to say the least.

“But in a funny sort of way it’s sort of pulled the boys together a little bit more as well.

“I mean it will be wrong for me not to mention really under the circumstances because I’ve been wearing that t-shirt now for weeks.

“That’s for you Jacko!” and it’s nice it’s happened tonight.

“It’s been a good club and we’ve dealt with the situation here brilliantly. I think it’s sad that we’ve had to but I think in a funny sort of way it’s pulled us all a little bit closer together.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk brought you LIVE COVERAGE of tonight’s Kent Intermediate Cup Final - click on this coverage for a fuller report on tonight’s game.

Tonbridge Angels: Martin Grant, Paul Butler, Terry Brock, Danny Bowles, Sim Johnson, Matt Crane, Charlie Dix (Nick Rich 68), Matt Newman, Micky Collins, Ashley Dann (Danny Powell 76), Alex Rich.
Subs: Charlie Sharman, Matt Cornhill, Jordan Busby.

Goal: Matt Crane 33

Booked: Micky Collins 27, Matt Newman 39

Cray Wanderers: Jack Bradshaw, Aaron Seales, Alan Desmond, Kieron McCann, Jamie Blade, Jamel McCann, Ryan Hay, Scott Manzi, Jamie Humphris, Danny Dean (Dan Assender 82), Jack Brown (Luke Tanner 62).
Subs: Ed Appiah, Ian Jenkins, Billy Justice.

Booked: Scott Manzi 78

Attendance: 191
Referee: Neil Baker (Welling)
Assistants: Paul Sellar (Deal) & Michael Obree (Dover)
Fourth Official: Mr Leigh Austin (Ashford)