Baker’s post-to-post winner keeps Tonbridge flying on the road

Monday 12 October 2026 · By Harriet Ladbrooke

Tonbridge Angels continued their impressive away form on Saturday, winning 1–0 at Maidenhead United thanks to a dramatic late goal from substitute Frankie Baker.

The winner came on 82 minutes. Baker’s shot struck both posts before crossing the line, but Maidenhead were furious, claiming he had fouled David Mantle in the build-up. The goal stood, and Tonbridge held on, with goalkeeper Nathan Harness making a late save from Josh Johnson to protect the lead. Manager Alan Dunne was booked for protesting during the game.

Assistant manager Larry McAvoy felt the result was deserved. “We’ve been unlucky in recent weeks and we were due a win like this,” he said.

Tonbridge had to cope without two key players. Bailey Akehurst was suspended and Sam Corne was unfit, so Lexus Beeden captained the side. The players who came in did their job, and Baker’s goal from the bench showed the strength of the squad.

The win means Tonbridge are unbeaten in six league away games. They are eighth in the Enterprise National League South on 17 points from 11 games, one point behind the play-off places and five points behind leaders Maidstone United. They have won five, drawn two and lost four, and their goal difference of plus nine is one of the best in the division. Their last five league results read won, lost, drawn, lost, won.

The contrast with their home form is striking. Tonbridge have won only one of their five home league games this season and lost the other four. If they can match their away results on home soil, they will be serious contenders for promotion.

The Angels are out of the FA Cup after losing to Torquay United in the third qualifying round on 3 October, and that means a quieter weekend. Their scheduled home league game against Chesham United on Saturday 17 October has been postponed, because Chesham host Forest Green Rovers in the fourth qualifying round.

That gives Dunne and his staff a week to work with the squad before a busy run of games. Tonbridge travel to Chelmsford City on Saturday 24 October, before two home games: Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday 27 October and second-placed Salisbury on Saturday 31 October.

Those two home games will be a real test of whether Tonbridge can fix their form at their own ground. Folkestone are 15th and have struggled for results recently, while Salisbury have won five games in a row in all competitions.

Saturday’s win was a reminder of what Tonbridge can do. Baker’s goal may have been controversial, but it was another three points on the road for a side who are proving very difficult to beat away from home. The challenge now is to bring that form back to their own supporters.