12thnov04

Tonbridge have financial incentive to beat City

TONBRIDGE Angels will have a chance to boost their coffers after booking their place in the second round of the FA Trophy following last Saturday's 3-1 win over Horsham, writes Jez Durrant.

The Longmead Stadium outfit will now face Oxford City at home on Saturday 27th November for a place in the next round.

Also at stake will be £3,000 of prize money that could be a major boost for the club, which has been forced to operate on a tight budget this season.

A return to form for striker Brendon Cass saw the youngster net two goals sandwiching an effort from former Folkestone Invicta midfielder Anthony Hogg.

The only blemish on the performance from the home side's point of view was the sending off of Nick Humphrey for alleged use of the elbow.

Player-boss Tony Dolby said he was pleased with his side's performance, especially in light of recent injuries, which meant Tonbridge had a very in-experienced bench.

He told the Kent & Sussex Courier Newspaper: "We performed very well and stuck the ball in the back of the net.

"We had a young team but it is always nice to blood the youngsters and bring them on.  it is something myself and my assistant Mike Rutherford firmly believe in.

"We will look to give them every opportunity.  If they are good enough, they are old enough."

Jon Heath was one of the youngsters who stood out for Tonbridge and Dolby added: "Jon is a very good player and we must remember that he is still young and was still in the youth team last year.  He has listened and learned and shown he is good enough to play in the first team.

"Losing Nick Humphrey to a suspension will be a major blow.  He is a good player and has fitted in well since his return (from Dover Athletic)."

Tonbridge's opponents in the next round Oxford City, play at a level below the Angels in the Southern League Division One West.

Although Dolby said they would not be taken lightly, he admitted they could not have asked for a better draw, adding: "They are a league below us.  They had done well away from home but not so well at home.  The trophy is very prestigious and it will certainly be a tough game, but we could not have asked for a better draw."

Chairman Paul Dainty echoed this statement, saying: "It is a good draw and there is £3,000 to play for.  There will be a lot of work to do but we have got to go into the game feeling confident.  It is as good a draw we could get."

Tonbridge will look to carry their form into the next two home league games.  Tomorrow they host Wealdstone before Salisbury City are the visitors on Tuesday night.

Dolby said there was a possibility that midfielder Steve Searle might be fit for the game although other long-term absentees such as Craig Roser and Patrick Blackman would still be missing.

The club are still on the look-out for another striker and were looking at loan options ahead of tomorrow's game.

Trialist Dayo Oyetuga, has impressed so far but will need three weeks to get international clearance before he can play.

Meanwhile, Angels midfielder Sam Tydeman has left the club after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

In a statement on the club's website it was confirmed that the player has left the club.

Tydeman has struggled to recapture the form and fitness he had shown last season and manager Tony Dolby explained the reasons behind Tydeman's departure.

He said: "It would be fair to say that Sam has struggled this season.  With a quarter of the season gone I had become concerned about Sam's form and fitness.

"After long discussions we agreed that it would be in our best interests that Sam move on in an effort to rejuvenate his career.

"We remain friends and part on good terms and their is absolutely no animosity between us at all.

"The club wish Sam well in his future football career."

The 25-year-old has joined former Angels management duo of Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume at Go Travel Kent League outfit Maidstone United.

The Stones have also had an attempt to sign young striker Brendon Cass rebuffed.  United made an official approach for Cass but he rejected the offer and remains with the Angels.

Tonbridge Angels v Wealdstone
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 13th November 2004
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge