MATCH PREVIEW: Tonbridge Angels vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 21st February 2026
Bluebirds looking to fly up the table with a win against the Angels.
We visit Tonbridge Angels this weekend, looking to return to our rich run of form in mid February. The Longmead Community Stadium is the venue, not a happy hunting ground for us in recent seasons, having never taken more than a draw away from this part of Kent.
The opposition
Tonbridge Angels were formed in 1947 by local businessman Herbert Portch, they were originally known as Tonbridge FC when they were first created. Their first ever home ground was named the ‘Angel Ground’ which at the time of Tonbridge FC had them known as ‘The Angels’. The club’s first ever trophy came in the 51/52 season winning the Kent Senior Shield which they won again in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1964. The club then won the Kent Senior Cup for the first time in the 1964/65 season.
In the 1972/73 season the club had a really successful season gaining promotion finishing behind Maidstone United in second place, Tonbridge FC also reached the FA Cup First Round Proper again where they faced Charlton Athletic at the Angel Ground where they saw a 5-0 loss in front of a 7,770 crowd. A couple of years later, former England international and World Cup winner George Cohen led the side as manager to the Kent Senior Cup again in 74/75.
After a period of struggle in the league campaigns, the club suffered some financial issues which led to voluntary liquidation in 1976. This meant that Tonbridge Angels were then formed. The next issue that the club faced was the club’s landlords, the local council, wanted to develop the Angel Ground. The club was then eventually offered a new ground in Longmead which is where Tonbridge still play to this day.
In the 2004/05 season Tonbridge Angels joined the Isthmian League but were consequently relegated to Division One in 2005. In 2005/06 they were promoted back to the Isthmian Premier League via playoff wins against Tooting & Mitcham United and Dover Athletic. In 2010/11 they finished runners up in the Isthmian League and therefore in 2011 joined the Conference South. 14/15 saw the club return to the Isthmian League but were then promoted again via the playoffs to the National League system in 18/19 with wins against Haringey Borough, Merstham and Metropolitan Police in the Super Playoff. Tonbridge Angels have been in the National League South ever since this promotion. Most recently, last season in 24/25, Tonbridge finished 17th, three places below Chippenham Town. Alan Dunne took charge of The Angels at the beginning of this season and so far they sit in 18th position and they haven’t won in four matches.
Previous meetings
Last season the two teams drew on both occasions with a 1-1 in Tonbridge with a Tom Mehew strike and a 0-0 result in Chippenham. The clubs have only met 12 times with all of these games being in the National League South, never meeting each other in any cup competitions. Chippenham have won two of these 12 meetings against The Angels. A 2-1 win at home in the 2019/20 campaign, in which Luke Haines donned the gloves, and another home victory this season thanks to Anointed Chukwu’s goal and Will Henry’s penalty save. Tonbridge have won seven times three draws.
Dangermen
Bunmi Babajide – Babajide signed for The Angels this summer from Hampton & Richmond Borough, having graduated the QPR Academy and bounced between Hampton & Chelmsford in this division. At this moment he has played 55 games at this level, scoring seven times. Six of those seven have been this season, and he is Tonbridge’s top scorer this term, with two assists taking him above Tom Leahy. Babajide has scored in wins against Slough, his former employers Hampton, Totton and Salisbury. Babajide could have had seven if it were not for Will Henry’s strong penalty save in the reverse fixture
Tom Leahy – Leahy, also having scored six this season signed just before our match with The Angels in November. He had spent time with Welling before moving to Kent. A product of the Millwall Academy, he served loans at Woking and Maidstone. 13 appearances for the Cards in the National League were followed by 13 for Maidstone including playing in the Playoff final last season. Other than our match in November, Leahy has played against us once before, 67 minutes in our 3-0 loss at Maidstone last season.
Devonte Day
This match will be dedicated to remembering the life of former Tonbridge player Devonte Aransibia, and at the wishes of his family we request that supporters wear a green item of clothing, Devonte’s favourite colour.
Devonte’s six year old sun Santiago will lead out the Tonbridge team, and there will be a bucket collection in aid of Devonte’s Foundation, a charity the family are in the process of establishing to support young players with their mental health and wellbeing.
Supporter Information
The match is non-segregated and tickets can be purchased in advance or by Cash / Card payments on the gate.
We will be bringing you live Radio commentary via MIXLR. Join Jamie Oleszynski from 14.45 for all of the action
See you in Kent, Bluebirds 💙
