Extra fans gives Boxing Day games added spice, says Warrilow

Tuesday 22nd December 2009

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow hopes a winter flu bug clears in time for their Boxing Day clash against Hastings United at Longmead Stadium, writes Stephen McCartney.

Warrilow, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, revealed that five players would have played against Harrow Borough at the weekend whilst feeling under the weather, but he hopes those players perk up in time for the visit of second-placed Hastings on Saturday.

He said: “We’ve had a flu bug flying around the club but hopefully this break will eradicate that from the camp.

“The Harrow game I had five lads starting the game prepared to go out there playing with the flu. Hopefully (the recent break through bad weather) is a blessing in disguise and we can get it away from the ground and away from the club and everyone can come back fit and fresh ready for Boxing Day.”

The Angels go into the game having lost their last three games, but Warrilow wants a good points haul from Hastings, Margate (at Hartsdown Park next Tuesday) and the trip to Hastings on 2 January.

“They’re all going to be difficult games,” warned Warrilow. “There’s no easy games as we keep saying week in week out.

“We just hope we get our head down and continue where we left off during the second half against Wealdstone, which seems a long time ago, but we finished strong that half. The game finished well for us and we just hope to continue that into our next game.

“Since then we’ve obviously had the weather come in and hampered all the plans. It’s going to be a difficult period but it’s a good time to try and get back on track.

“Three wins would push us back up there and that’s the positive way we’ve got to think.”

The Angels are presently bang in midtable - just four points adrift of fifth placed Wealdstone - or for those negative people around - seven points clear of the Ryman Premier League drop zone.

“The league is that tight,” said Warrilow. “When I first came to the club we were equal bottom and the league was just as tight and I said we get into the play-off’s. I got shot down a little bit, we got into the play-off’s but unfortunately we dipped out.”

“At the moment I wouldn’t look too much into league positions because it’s so tight. If the points started getting further and further away and you’re on equal games that’s when you look at it.

“I just think there’s no need to panic. There’s enough games to go, we’re not even halfway through the season. We’ve got to stay positive. If we win the next three games, I won’t be jumping up and down punching the air because I know the league is so tight.

“If we go into the new year on the back of three wins, it would be fantastic.”

A bumper crowd is expected for the visit of Hastings on Saturday, which sees the return of Tim and Ade Olorunda and Micky Phillips, and former Angels player-manager, Tony Dolby.

Looking forward to the Hastings game, Warrilow hopes to see a larger-than-normal crowd turn up.

He said: “Hopefully it will be a good, big crowd and a competitive game of football. Hopefully the conditions improve because it becomes a bit of a farce then.

“But I think all Boxing Day games have got that added spice to them as you’ve got people who just come out for fresh air that don’t normally go to games that turn up and it creates a good, cup final atmosphere.

“All I want is a good performance. I want us to put in a consistent performance and the most important thing is to get three points.”

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

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

Tonbridge Angels v Hastings United

Ryman Premier League

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF