Dolby promises changes after "sickening" Hendon defeat - EXCLUSIVE

Tonbridge Angels boss Tony Dolby has promised changes for tomorrow’s game against Hastings United, after they had their first Ryman Premier League victory of the new season stolen from them at the death by Hendon yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goals from Jon Main, his third of the season, and Hamid Barr, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead going into the final ten minutes of the Claremont Road clash.

But goals from Hendon players, Craig Vargas (officially timed at 89 minutes and 30 seconds), Wayne O’Sullivan (92:05) and Brian Haule (94:30), left Angels’ player-manager, Tony Dolby “sick.”

Describing his side’s defeat in north London, Dolby said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“As sickening as it gets I suppose in football, nothing can prepare you for that sort of finish to a game.

“I mean, I think it was a bit of a freak really as far as the goals coming all within the 90^th minute.

“There was a few things wrong in the second half. The last twenty minutes we did stopped doing certain things we were doing - we were giving silly free-kicks away, we weren’t keeping the ball when we were 2-0 up.”

Dolby’s men look to rectify their defensive frailties for their clash against newly promoted side Hastings United at the Betterview Longmead Stadium tomorrow.

The Arrows are currently in ninth place in the table, having beaten Maidstone United (4-0) and Ashford Town (Middlesex) (2-0) on home soil after being thumped 6-0 at Billericay Town on the opening day of the season.

And Dolby is expecting his players’ to bounce back against the club from 1066 country.

He said: “We went into one at Ramsgate (a 1-1 draw), we were far from pleased from the first half performance and let the boys know.

“But yesterday, I don’t think it was a time for shouting. I spoke to them on a level, not necessary about the goals but their performance, decision making, and yes, we think we’re lucky we’ve got another game coming up 48 hours later, where we’ve got an opportunity to change things around.”

Dolby revealed that he’s going to draft combative midfielder, Scott Kinch, and highly-rated defender John Beales into the team to face Hastings United tomorrow, as the pair have now served their three-match bans that were carried over from last season.

“I think with 48 hours after a game it’s always nice to have fresh blood,” he explained.

“There will be a number of changes tomorrow, not because we lost 3-2, but the timing of the game.”

But Dolby expects his side to win their first league game of the new season tomorrow, against a side that clinched promotion - with Maidstone United - after beating Tooting & Mitcham United in the play-off final.

“I think Hastings have done exceptionally well to win their two home games,” said Dolby.

“They haven’t played us yet and I’m pretty sure things are going to turn around for us now.

“We’ve got a steady influx of players back, good selection problems (after) we’ve had six or seven players out for the first three games.”

And he recalled: “Hampton, Billericay, both side had terrible starts of the season, even after fifteen games gone (of last season).

“I certainly don’t envisage us being lower end of the table with fifteen games gone - we’re going to be a strong side.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match.

Visit Tonbridge Angels' websites:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Tonbridge Angels v Hastings United
Ryman Premier League
Bank Holiday Monday, 27^th August 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF