Tonbridge Angels 1 Hampton & Richmond 4 match report: Heavy defeat for Angels in first game on new 3G pitch

The party went flat as Tonbridge’s first game on their new 3G pitch ended in defeat.

Angels conceded an early opener and were three down at the break after a first half to forget, including a goal for ex-Angels striker Tommy Wood.

They picked up in the second half, pulling a goal back through on-loan Charlton youngster Dylan Gavin, but Hampton clinched victory with an added-time fourth.

It was a first defeat of the season for Tonbridge after taking seven points from nine in three away games, and a first win for the Beavers.

The pre-match buzz around Longmead began to drain inside four minutes when a decent Hampton side grabbed the opener.

It came from a Jake Gray corner, with Ade Shokunbi finding himself free in the box to slot home.

Angels, hit by the early goal, struggled to impose themselves on the game and didn’t manage a shot until the last five minutes of the half, by which time they were three down.

Lewis Gard was doing best to get on the ball in the middle of the park and bring widemen Joe Turner and Tushaun Walters into play.

But two goals in three minutes put Hampton firmly in control on Angels’ special day.

Shokunbi collected a pass from Stefan Ilic to add his second after Tonbridge gave the ball away on 35 minutes.

And the scorer turned provider soon after, sending Wood through to beat ex-team-mate Jonny Henly.

Turner registered the hosts’ first shot, two minutes before the break, firing well over after cutting inside, while Walters’ effort on the turn was comfortably held by Alan Julian.

Angels boss Jay Saunders made a half-time change, Ben Swift coming on Emmanuel Maja and slotting into the back four, with Tommie Fagg moving into midfield.

The hosts improved, Charlton loanee Gavin able to get more involved