23rdsept05

Friday 23rd September 2005

Angels aiming to spring cup shock

Two wins in the space of four days has propelled Tonbridge Angels to the top of the Ryman League division one table ahead of tomorrow's mouth-watering FA Cup clash with Fisher Athletic, writes Jez Durrant.

Despite falling behind against Ashford Town and Metropolitan Police, Tonbridge were able to secure three points with 3-1 and 3-2 wins respectively.

Tony Dolby's men now lead the table by one point from Ramsgate, Dover Athletic and Horsham and will go into tomorrow's Fisher game full of confidence that they can cause a surprise against the big spending Ryman Premier League outfit.

Goals from Ray Powell, Luke Piscina and Warren Haughton were enough for Saturday's win over Ashford while Danny Lye, Lee Carey and Leroy Huggins netted at Imber Court.

Speaking after Tuesday night's 3-2 win, Dolby told the Kent and Sussex Courier he was pleased to have picked up maximum points from the two games.

He added: "We have six points and scored six goals so I can't ask for much more although we have conceded three, which I am not happy about. However, winning is what is all about.

"A few people, including myself, have been looking ahead to the Fisher game so I am pleased that we have managed to maintain professional about the two games before it."

Tonbridge have a 100% away record so far this season picking up wins at Banstead Athletic and Dulwich Hamlet as well as Tuesday's result and Dolby said other teams would find it difficult to do the same.

He said: "Teams like the Met Police, Dulwich and Ramsgate, who we beat at home, are going to upset a few teams especially at home and I can see them winning quite a few games. We have played them early on and have done well to get the results".

There will be plenty of familiar faces in both sides when Tonbridge continue their FA Cup trail tomorrow at Fisher, with the Angels having signed three players from their opponents during the summer.

With Dolby's former joint-manager Hamid Barr in the Fisher line-up, the Angels boss admitted he was really looking forward to the tie.

"We have nothing to lose in the game. They have some good players and a big budget and we are going to go there and enjoy ourselves.

"Being the cup anything can happen. We are away from home so there is less pressure and hopefully we will go out and play our best football of the season."

Tonbridge's injury list is much the same with Nick Barnes facing a further four to five weeks out of action with his dislocated shoulder.

Jon Heath still has a knee problem and Steve Aris could require an operation on his nose, which would mean four to six weeks out of action, although he will be available against Fisher - his former club.

Fisher Athletic v Tonbridge Angels
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24th September 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Dulwich Hamlet FC, Champion Hill, East Dulwich