Tonbridge Angels 1–2 Ebbsfleet United

Tonbridge Angels: T. Leahy (87')

Ebbsfleet United: B. Chapman (5'), K. Appiah (14')

Tonbridge Angels were left with too much to do after a slow start, falling to a 2–1 defeat against Ebbsfleet United in a lively Good Friday derby.

The visitors came out sharp and punished Angels early. After just five minutes, Ben Chapman opened the scoring with a precise finish from the edge of the box, giving Matt Rowley no chance. Before Angels could properly settle, Ebbsfleet doubled their lead on 14 minutes, with Kwesi Appiah applying the final touch from close range following a corner.

That early double blow forced Tonbridge onto the back foot, but to their credit, they responded. Bunmi Babajide was a constant threat down the flank, creating chances and stretching the Fleet defence, while Sean Shields and Marcus Sablier both went close as Angels looked for a way back.

Goalkeeper Matt Hall proved a key figure for Ebbsfleet, producing an outstanding reflex save to deny Sablier from close range, keeping the visitors firmly in control heading into the break.

After half-time, Angels showed more intent. Ethan Sutcliffe produced a perfectly timed tackle to stop a dangerous Fleet attack, and changes from Alan Dunne began to shift momentum slightly in favour of the hosts.

The introduction of Francis Mampolo proved particularly important. His direct running and skill gave Angels a new edge, and it was his work that led to the breakthrough. With 12 minutes remaining, Mampolo danced past defenders before setting up Babajide, whose clever pass found Tom Leahy to slot home and make it 2–1.

Angels thought they had equalised moments earlier when Leahy found the net, but the effort was ruled out for a tight offside decision.

Despite late pressure and further attacking changes, Ebbsfleet managed the closing stages well to secure all three points and strengthen their play-off push.

For Tonbridge, the defeat will be frustrating, but the second-half performance showed resilience and fight-nearly overturning a game that had looked gone inside the opening quarter-hour.