Dolby: Piscina is a hell of a player to bring off the bench

Saturday 16th September 2006

Tonbridge Angels’ boss Tony Dolby had to rally his troops during the half-time interval at the Homelands today, writes Stephen McCartney.

It took the Angels just 117 seconds to open the scoring at Ashford Town in today’s FA Cup first qualifying round clash.

Skipper Steve Aris nodded home his first goal of the season following John Heath’s corner to give Tonbridge an early lead.

But George Fenwick, son of former Ashford Town boss and England star Terry, headed home his fifth goal of the season after Ian Ross’ free-kick after 32 minutes to bring the home side on level terms.

However, an ear bashing from Dolby during the interval, and the introduction of home-grown striker Luke Piscina early in the second half, sparked life into the side that went into the game in fourth place in the Ryman Premier League.

Two goals from Welsh striker Andy Martin, 26, one a looping header after 50 minutes, and a right-footed, 25-yard free kick sixteen minutes later, puts Dolby’s club into the velvet bag for Monday’s draw.

But Dolby felt his side were not performing during the first 45 minutes against a resurgent Ashford Town side that had won their last four games.

“I didn’t think they were performing anywhere near what they should have been performing, today of all days in the FA Cup and how important it is to everybody and what it should mean to players,” Dolby told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I didn’t feel they gave a good account of themselves so I let them know in no uncertain terms at half-time and it wouldn’t be accepted and what would be accepted in the second half and they turned it round to be fair.”

Dolby threw Piscina into the action after 48 minutes, and two minutes later Martin’s header, following Michael Power’s hanging cross from the right, looped into the corner.

“Luke’s a fantastic player,” said Dolby. “He does struggle to get through ninety minutes and he’s a hell of a player to bring off the bench and once defenders have been worked hard and tiring, for Luke to come on with his pace it’s going to be a daunting task for anybody to come up against.

“I mean it was tactical. I said “I would introduce him, to give everyone a lift and he’s going to show a clean pair of heels”, and tactically it worked again.

“Substitutions, since the start of the season have worked very well for us and it shows the strength in depth we’ve got.”

There is talk that Dolby is expected to bring in a high-profile striker to the club soon, and Dolby feels scoring goals is important.

“You’ve got to score goals to maintain performance levels to keep the boys at the back happy as well,” he said.

“We’re very solid at the back I feel, so if we do score and score more than one then I fancy our chances against most teams.”

Dolby, whose side travel to Harrow Borough (23 November) and big-spending Chelmsford City two days later, is desperate to take advantage of their passionate fans to progress in the FA Cup this season.

Tonbridge progressed to the third qualifying round last season, losing at Nationwide Conference North outfit Worcester City.

“I’d love a home tie,” he said. “The atmosphere down at Longmead is fantastic when the home fans get behind us.

“Today was a tricky tie, we’ve come through it. Since I’ve taken over as manager we’ve had some good cup runs in various competitions so it’s something that I’m quite proud off and I want to keep it going.”

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