Dolby relishing play-off final SHOWDOWN

Tonbridge Angels’ officials are meeting with local Police tomorrow as they plan for their play-off final SHOWDOWN with their arch-rivals Dover Athletic on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of at least 1,500 will flock to the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Saturday with more than Kentish bragging rights at stake.

The winner will earn their right to return to the Ryman Premier League at the first time of asking.

Both clubs - the two best supported teams in the division - suffered relegation last season, but Angels’ player-manager Tony Dolby admitted after their 2-0 win over Tooting & Mitcham United in today’s semi-final that he was anticipating playing the Whites in the final.

“I think it’s what everybody wanted if we’re honest,” he said. “The way that I see it was as soon as we knew we were going to make the play-off’s it was (going to be) Dover in the final at Longmead and it’s transpired like that.

“I ran into Clive (Walker) last week and I told him I’ll see him Saturday week and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

Tooting & Mitcham United, who finished the 44-match campaign in sixth place, had plenty of possession in the first half but the Kent side thought they had taken the lead after 41 minutes.

Supporters’ player-of-the-year, Ray Powell’s 25-yard right-footed screamer flew into the top right hand corner but the goal was ruled out.

The 13-goal, committed striker, who was booked for dissent just two minutes earlier, was shown his second yellow card as he handled the ball as he brought the ball under control before he let fly.

But roared on by PASSIONATE support, Tonbridge booked their place in the final thanks to two fine solo goals from Jon Main and substitute Nick Barnes.

Main received a pass from Luke Piscina some 30 yards from goal, and urged on by the Tonbridge faithful, burst into the penalty area and with the outside of his right boot found the bottom left hand corner from eight-yards to send the fans wild.

Barnes - who along with Powell - will be suspended for the clash with Dover Athletic on Saturday - was deliberately fouled by Scott Kinch as he only had the goalkeeper to beat so Tooting were reduced to ten men themselves with 15 minutes remaining.

But Barnes counter attacked three minutes from time, picking the ball up on the half-way line, and after cutting inside, the substitute shrugged off a couple of challenges before slotting home from ten yards out.

“We worked our socks off especially in the second half when we went down to ten men and thoroughly deserved the victory in the end,” said Dolby.

Speaking about Powell’s red card, he added: “The referee told me he handballed it into his own path, which Ray swear blind he didn’t.

“So it’s a little unjust in that respects but obviously these things happen in football. It just so happens its happened at a really awful time but we’ll get on with the job in hand and go into (the) Dover (game) full of confidence.”

Dolby made NINE changes to his side that drew 1-1 at basement boys Corinthian Casuals on Saturday - and felt his side would be more fitter against a side that came  away from Newport IOW with a 2-1 win at the weekend.

“You live and die by decisions you make and I strongly believe the team that I put out on Saturday, albeit with sort of ten changes, could get a point, which we needed to guarantee third place,” said Dolby.

“As it transpired Dover have beaten Met. Police and we would have been at home no matter what, even if we had finished fourth anyway.

“But these decisions have got to be made and you have to be bold enough to make them and it’s paid off today.”

Dolby, with nine goals to his name this season, praised striker Jon Main for keeping a cool head to give his side a 66^th minute lead.

“John’s not had the best of times in front of goal of late but we’ve had faith in him and he’s had faith in himself and when the moment came, when we needed him to be big, he certainly was that,” he praised.

Dolby admits Saturday’s SHOWDOWN with Clive Walker’s side is “mouth watering”, and expects the stadium will be “packed to the rafters” full of PASSIONATE support from both sets of fans.

“It’s just so mouth watering and it’s not going to be for the faint hearted and hopefully we’ll rise to the occasion and get the win that we need," he said.

His side have kept four clean sheets in their last four home matches and Dolby hopes this run will continue.

“We have made it a little of a fortress here defensively,” he said. “We’re not getting breached and that is four clean sheets and we’re putting the ball into the back of the net at the other end. It all bodes well but I think Saturday will be a totally different kettle of fish,” he warned.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be bringing you more interviews from the Angels’ camp this week.

We have already spoken to Wade Falana, the big target man who helped Bromley win 3-1 at Horsham in last season’s play-off final, and we shall bring you this interview during the week.

We shall also attend the Angels’ training session at Longmead Stadium on Thursday  night and bring you the players views during Friday.


Tonbridge Angels v Dover Athletic
Ryman League Division One Play-Off Final
Saturday 6^th May 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge