Tonbridge Angels Snatch Late Point in Five-Goal Thriller at Billericay

Billericay Town: Jon Benton (1'), Elliot Long

Tonbridge Angels: Jaden Brown (26'), Jephte Tanga

Tonbridge Angels will feel they let two points slip after twice fighting back from behind to draw 2-2 at Billericay Town's New Lodge ground, a result that nonetheless keeps their unbeaten away record intact this season. For a club that has often prided itself on resilience on the road, this latest away-day showing will be seen as another sign of character even if the away faithful were left wondering what might have been.

The afternoon could hardly have started worse for Angels. Inside the first minute, goalkeeper Nathan Harness fumbled a routine catch, gifting Jon Benton a simple finish and putting the home side ahead before many in the crowd had settled into their seats. It was the kind of early setback that can derail a team's afternoon entirely, and Billericay looked to press home their advantage as Benton, Taylor Clark and Charlie Ruff all tested the Angels defence further.

But Tonbridge steadied themselves, and parity was restored in some style on 26 minutes when Jaden Brown curled a fine effort into the top corner from the edge of the box. It proved to be a fleeting equaliser, however, as Elliot Long restored Billericay's lead just before the interval, edging his side back in front at 2-1. Angels did have a route back into the game before half-time when a penalty was awarded following a foul on Jephte Tanga, but Bailey Akehurst's spot-kick was well saved by Town goalkeeper Joe Wright.

The turning point of the match came at half-time, when manager Alan Dunne made a bold change, withdrawing goalscorer Brown in favour of Sam Corne for his first full appearance since his summer move from Maidstone. It was a decision that paid immediate dividends. Corne's first touch produced a fierce drive that skimmed the crossbar, and from there he took hold of the game, dictating play in a manner that will have been familiar to anyone who has followed his career on the Kent non-league circuit.

With further changes bringing on Lamar Reynolds and Bunmi Babajide, Angels found the second equaliser their pressure deserved. Babajide's trickery down the left set up a low shot that Wright could only parry, and Tanga was on hand to convert his fourth goal of the season. From there, Corne and an increasingly influential Hayden Bullas took control of midfield, with further chances falling to Reynolds that narrowly went begging either side of the hour mark.

Billericay continued to look dangerous on the counter through Ruff and Macauley Bonne, and with the home crowd growing frustrated at a rejected penalty appeal late on, Angels had to dig in to protect their share of the spoils. Speaking after the game, Dunne was pragmatic about the result: "I'm pleased but you can't start a game one-nil which is effectively what we did by gifting them a goal." He added that the changes had shaped the outcome, saying Corne "showed why I signed him and how much we've missed him in these first few games," and praised his side's response, saying they "showed real character" coming back twice from behind, and that any point away from home was a good one.

For Tonbridge supporters, the return of Sam Corne to full fitness and form will be the standout takeaway from an otherwise chastening afternoon in Essex. As the season progresses, his influence in midfield alongside Bullas could prove pivotal in turning narrow away draws into the wins that count in the promotion picture.