23rddec05

Friday 23rd December 2005

Dolby aiming for top festive form

Tonbridge Angels' player-boss Tony Dolby is demanding at least four points from a tough festive programme for his side as they look to push on for promotion in the new year, writes Jez Durrant.

Following last Saturday's 3-1 win over Corinthian-Casuals, Tonbridge have won their last four league games and are third in the Ryman League Division One table with games in hand on Tooting & Mitcham and Horsham ahead of them.

On Boxing Day the Angels host in-form Cray Wanderers before taking on fellow title challengers Ramsgate on January 2. Tonbridge go into the games with momentum and Dolby told the Kent and Sussex Courier he was pleased with his side's current form.

He said: "Every team has a blip in form at some point. We have won our last four games, two away and two at home, and we will be aiming to carry that over into the Christmas period.

"If you look at the table and if everyone won their games in hand we would be top of the table. On the evidence we are the best so far in the league and we have had a couple of good cup runs so I have to be happy with the way things have gone so far this season.

"We need to keep improving as a team and then we will be pushing on for promotion next year."

Tonbridge were comfortable winners last Saturday despite falling a goal behind early on. Skipper Steve Aris netted his third in three games with further strikes coming from former Bromley player Fraser Logan and a spectacular effort from Nick Barnes.

Overall Tonbridge were deserved winners but failed to totally impress against the division's strugglers.

Dolby added: "We can't always do what we did against Newport against the bottom sides. They are scrapping for points. Previously we beat Burgess Hill and that was their first loss in six games."

Tonbridge's next two matches against their Kent rivals will provide sterner tests and Dolby said the games would be a good examination of his side's potential as title winners.

He said: "These games will be good tests for us and these are the games we have got to do well in if we are to have league success. I would expect us to come away with at least four points from the two matches."

Tonbridge will again by without Jerome John and Mikhail Czanner - who let in three goals on his Tunbridge Wells debut against Maidstone United in midweek - will deputise.

Tonbridge will also be able to call on the services of youngster Danny Glozier, who has signed on loan from Gravesend & Northfleet. The 19-year-old played at left-back during Saturday's win but is also capable of playing central defence and midfield.

Tonbridge Angels v Cray Wanderers
Ryman Premier League
Boxing Day, Monday 26th December 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge