Match Preview: Tonbridge Angels (A) - 17th January 2026

Photo courtesy of Fin Hall

By Josh Cole

After last week’s postponement, The Stags have had extra rest to prepare for tomorrow’s away trip to Tonbridge Angels!

Our last game was the Enfield Town match, so if you wish to recap what happened, you can click here to read the match report!

TONBRIDGE ANGELS – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

Tonbridge are currently in 17^th place on 28 points from 26 games played. CLICK HERE to view the full league table.

In The Angels’ first six games of this campaign, it saw them go winless throughout, with four draws and two losses, one of those losses being at The Snows Stadium against AFC Totton.

Afte that disappointing August, it looked to be continuing into September too with a loss at home to Enfield to kick off the month, but they picked up their first three points of the season away at Salisbury. Tonbridge progressed past the second qualifying round of the FA Cup with a 6-1 replay win against Steyning Town of step five. An away win against Worthing in the league came before another big FA Cup replay win, this time 5-0 against step three Cray Valley.

Tonbridge continued this good form with a win against Dover in the league and beating Sittingbourne in the Kent Senior Cup, but they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round by fellow Kent outfit, Chatham. This result knocked their confidence a bit and they finished October winless, drawing two and losing the other.

The start of November saw a bounce back, with a derby day win away at rivals Maidstone, 1-2, but they then went four games without a win, three of which were losses. To stop that mini rot, Angels won away 0-3 at Hampton & Richmond, but couldn’t keep that momentum to round off November with a win, instead they lost 1-3 to Hemel Hempstead.

The festive month of December started well for Tonbridge, with a superb 1-2 win away at Torquay. Just like the rest of their season however, they struggled again to string together consistent results and instead drew one and lost two in the rest of their December fixtures.

Two draws have happened for Tonbridge so far in January before The Stags’ trip, a 2-2 result at home to title-chasers Dorking and a 1-1 draw away at Enfield Town in their last result.

LAST FIVE: TONBRIDGE ANGELS

Vs Enfield Town | Away | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Tom Leahy 11’

Vs Dorking Wanderers | Home | ENLS | Drew 2-2

Goalscorers: Bailey Akehurst 44’ (PEN) & Tom Leahy 73’

Vs Eastbourne Borough | Home | ENLS | Lost 3-4

Goalscorers: Oluwabunmi Babajide 37’, & Alfie Pavey 63’ 90’

Vs Ebbsfleet United | Away | ENLS | Lost 1-0

Vs Dagenham & Redbridge | Home | ENLS | Drew 2-2

Goalscorer: Sean Shields 11’ 45’

LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Enfield Town | Home | ENLS | Won 3-2

Goalscorers: Tony Lee 24’ 90+2’ & Ralph Vigrass 45+4’

Vs Chippenham Town | Home | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Tony Lee 68’

Vs Salisbury | Away | ENLS | Lost 3-1

Goalscorer: Craig Tanner 47’

Vs Torquay United | Home | ENLS | Won 1-0

Goalscorer: Brandon Haunstrup 44’

Vs Woking | Away | FA Trophy 3^rd Round | Lost 2-0

 
COMPARING THE STATS (all comps)

OPPOSITION PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DEFENCE: ARTHUR PENNEY

Arthur Penney is a central-defender currently with Tonbridge Angels in the National League South, praised for his reading of the game, composure on the ball and technical quality despite his young age. He joined the club ahead of the 2025/26 season from Chelmsford City, where he had been a consistent presence in defence.

Penney began his football education in the Millwall youth system, joining the club at the age of nine and progressing through the academy before stepping into senior football. As an 18-year-old, he gained his first National League South experience with Welling United, making 19 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign and laying the foundations for his career at step-two level.

In 2023/24, Penney signed for Lewes, where he featured 49 times and was recognised for his influence on the pitch by being named both Manager’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, honours that reflected his importance to the team.

He moved to Chelmsford City in the pre-season of 2024, going on to make 35 appearances in the 2024/25 season, scoring once and earning praise from manager Robbie Simpson, who described him as a “Rolls Royce of a player” for his maturity and technical ability.

In July 2025, Tonbridge Angels secured Penney’s services, and he was quickly integrated into the heart of the defence, wearing squad number 6 and establishing himself as a key figure at the back. Penney also serves as vice-captain, reflecting his leadership qualities within the squad.

MIDFIELD: SCOTT WAGSTAFF

Scott Wagstaff is a hugely experienced midfielder who combines technical ability, leadership and seasoned professionalism with a wealth of experience from the English Football League down to non-league.

Wagstaff began his football journey in the Charlton Athletic academy, joining the club at the age of eight and progressing through the youth ranks. He made his senior debut in April 2008 and went on to make 118 league appearances, scoring 17 goals for the Addicks, also featuring in both the Championship and League One and earning the club’s Young Player of the Year award early in his career.

During his time with Charlton, Wagstaff had early loan spells with Bournemouth, Northwich Victoria, and Leyton Orient, gaining valuable first-team experience before moving on in 2013.

In July 2013, he signed for Bristol City, making 72 league appearances and scoring eight goals over three seasons. During his spell at Ashton Gate, he was part of successful League One campaigns, including promotion and an EFL Trophy win.

Wagstaff then joined Gillingham in 2016, where he featured regularly in the League One midfield across two seasons. He moved on to AFC Wimbledon in 2018, making 61 league appearances and scoring three goals over two campaigns.

Later spells included a season with Forest Green Rovers (33 appearances), a stint at Aldershot Town, and a brief period with Bromley in the National League, before he signed for Tonbridge Angels on 2 October 2022.

Since arriving at the Angels, Wagstaff has been a key figure in midfield, wearing squad number 4 and becoming a leader within the squad. He was named club captain ahead of the 2023/24 season and later served as caretaker manager for part of 2025.

Over a career that spans well over 450 senior appearances, Wagstaff’s journey through the EFL and non-league game highlights his durability, adaptability, and consistent midfield presence.

ATTACK: TOM LEAHY

Tonbridge Angels welcomed Tom Leahy, a 21-year-old striker in early November of this season to help add firepower to their squad.

Tom spent his formative years at Chipstead where he caught the eye of Brighton and Hove Albion, spending a couple of years in their youth set-up, before making his way to a scholarship with Millwall.

After featuring in pre-season of 2024, he was included in the Lions senior squad and made his debut in August against Bristol City. He had loan spells with Woking and Maidstone United, where he scored three times in 11 games before being released by Millwall at the end of last season.

Tom has spent the early part of this season at Welling United, but has now made the step up to Tonbridge and in four appearances from the off, scored two goals and got one assist.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Jordan Crossley

Assistant 1: Liam Giles

Assistant 2: Joseph Gray

Fourth Official: Michael Butcher
 

GO STAGS