Angels: 2

Carshalton: 0

TONBRIDGE Angels completed a league double over Carshalton Athletic thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win on Tuesday and, in the process, moved to within five points of a play-off spot.

Tommy Warrilow's side put in a professional performance to dispose of the visitors, who played with ten men for the final third of the game.

Goals from Adam Burchall and a wonder strike from Sam Long secured victory for the home side.

Angels were lucky not to have played the entire match with ten men themselves, after Jon Heath brought down the lively Byron Harrison in the fifth minute as he ran through on goal, only to receive a yellow.

The first half meandered along with infrequent lively bursts from both sides, until the spritely Burchall broke the deadlock for the Angels in the 28th minute.

Burchall was let in on goal after a slip from Carshalton defender Adrian Toppin, and he made no mistake. Goalkeeper Nick Hamman came rushing out and Burchall confidently skipped around him to slot the ball home and give the Angels the lead.

The game briefly came to life after the goal and Carshalton attacked with confidence, but despite their liveliness they lacked conviction in the penalty area.

Tempers then flared ten minutes before half time after a two footed lunge from Carshalton's Lewes Gonsalves left Kirk Watts on the ground.

Fans called for a red but the referee deemed a yellow to be adequate, though Gonsalves had already sealed his fate.

Before the half time whistle, Angels's Sam Long gave a taster of things to come as he spun his marker well, only to blaze the ball just wide from 18 yards.

Angels began the second half with a frantic pace and in the 53rd minute Burchall once more skipped round Keeper Nick Hamman - who was caught in no-man's land outside his box.

Burchall chipped the ball into the area for it to be cleared off the line and eventually scrambled away.

Just a minute later, the Angels faithful were given a real treat.

Sam Long carried the ball from his own half in a marauding run down the right wing, which saw him cut inside his man and unleash an unstoppable 25-yard thunderbolt into the far top corner.

The wonder goal provided the Angels with the impetus to dominate the rest of the half, with a little help from Gonsalves, who soon received his second yellow.

Gonsalves brought down Burchall as he accelerated away from him on the right-hand edge of the 18 yard box, and Carshalton were down to ten.

The Angels had chances to add more to the tally as they passed the ball confidently for the remainder of the game, and Minshull went close at the near post late on as Burchall delivered from the left.

The Angels played out the remainder of the game with a swagger and came away with a deserving victory after an impressive second half performance.

Warrilow's side will look to maintain their good run against Harrow Borough, tomorrow (Saturday) and it is hoped that Burchall, sore foot, and Marc Cumberbatch, flu, will overcome their minor injuries to be considered for selection. After the Harrow clash, Angels will welcome local rivals Maidstone to the Longmead, on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm. Follow both matches, if you cannot attend, by visiting www.thisiskent.co.uk/angelslivematch