Worthing return to National League South action this weekend, looking to continue their impressive 10-game unbeaten run that has seen them climb to the top of the table. They’re facing a Tonbridge Angels side who are six points outside the play-off spots in 10th.

The Ground

Since 1980, Tonbridge Angels have played their home matches at Longmead Stadium.

Longmead Stadium is located in a pleasant setting, within a small park, with plenty of trees surrounding the ground perimeter. The Main Stand on one side of the pitch predates the 1980 opening of the ground. It was originally located at the Club’s old Angel Ground, before being dismantled and re-erected at the new stadium. This covered all-seated stand was formerly a covered terrace. It runs for around three-quarters of the length of the pitch and has an angled roof. It does have a number of supporting pillars, as well as the bases of some floodlight pylons in front of it, that could impede your view. There are flat standing areas on either side of this stand.

Both ends of the ground are almost identical, with small covered terraces located behind the goals and flat standing areas on either side. Although only four steps high, these are quite broad and do provide an elevated view of the match. Although set back a bit from the touchline, the cover does help with the generation of the atmosphere. The remaining side of the ground is almost entirely open to the elements, with spectators confined to a pathway behind the pitch perimeter fence. Known as the Clubhouse side, it comprises a mish-mash of club buildings, with a tall elevated television gantry located in the centre. There is also a small covered structure, that contains around 30 seats, which is used as a Director’s Box. The team dugouts are also located on this open side of the ground. One unusual feature is that the team changing rooms are located at one end, next to the covered South Terrace. This means that the teams enter the field of play from near one corner. The ground has a set of eight small floodlights, four of which run down each side of the pitch.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online, at the link below, or at the gate at the following prices:

• Adult – £17.00
• Senior 65+ / Concession – £14.00
• Youth (12 – 17) – £7.00

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Travel & Parking

Address: Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3JF.

By Road: Leave the M25 at Junction 5 and take the A21 towards Sevenoaks and Hastings. After five miles leave the A21 and take the B245 towards Hildenborough. Continue along the B245 through Hildenborough and on towards Tonbridge Town Centre. Shortly after passing a Beefeater outlet on the right and the Chestnut Lodge on the left, take the next left into Dry Hill Park (signposted Shipbourne A227). At the mini-roundabout take the first exit onto Shipbourne Road. Go past the Shell Garage and the Royal Oak pub on the left and at the next roundabout take the first exit onto Darenth Avenue. The ground is located at the bottom of this road. There is a large car park at the ground, which is free.

By Rail: Tonbridge Railway Station is located just under two miles away from the Longmead Stadium and there is a taxi rank outside. As you exit the main entrance, turn right and then right again, to find it. Alternatively, from directly outside the station (just to the left of the main entrance) you can catch the 218 or 219 Bus which will take you up to near the stadium. The 219 gets you a bit closer to the stadium stopping in Darenth Avenue itself. View the timetables for these buses on the Arriva website (look for the Cage Green Pinnacles stop, for near the ground). To walk from the station to the stadium will take around 40 minutes. Turn left out of the station and proceed down along the High Street. Continue passing Tonbridge Castle and Tonbridge School on the left. Where the road forks, keep straight on to the right towards Shipbourne (A227). Go straight across the mini roundabout, passing a Shell Garage on your left and then just past the Royal Oak pub turn left into Welland Road. Then take the next right into Long Mead Way. At the end of this road turn left into Darenth Avenue. Longmead Stadium is at the bottom of this road, within a small park.

Ground Facilities & Pubs

There is a clubhouse bar at the ground, that normally welcomes visiting supporters. However, with not much else around the local area, it does fill up pretty quickly.

The closest pub is the Royal Oak on Shipbourne Road. It is just over half a mile away, or a 10-15 minute walk, from Longmead Stadium. It doesn’t show televised sports but does have Harvey’ Real ale on tap. If arriving by train then there are a number of pubs along Tonbridge High Street, including a Wetherspoons outlet called the Humphrey Bean. There are also plenty of pubs dotted along the walking route from the railway station to the ground.

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