It's points on the board that matter - we have to win our games in hand, says Alex O'Brien

Thursday 17th February 2011

TONBRIDGE ANGELS assistant manager Alex O’Brien insists the club have not given up on clinching the Ryman Premier League title at the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Paul Doswell’s side are sitting proudly at the summit, eleven points clear of the third-placed Angels, who have three games in hand over their Surrey foes.

The Angels’ eleven league match unbeaten run came to an end with a surprise 2-0 away defeat to basement side Croydon Athletic last weekend and their midweek game against Canvey Island was subject to a late postponement due to a waterlogged pitch at Longmead Stadium.

“We wanted to get back to doing what we want to do and achieve and try and get as many points as we can, but in a funny way there were a couple of the players that probably could have done with the rest,” said O’Brien.

“A few of the lads’ had little knocks so if you’re going to put a positive spin on it we’ve got a chance to rest a couple of players and their going to need everything for this coming Saturday.”

Sutton United’s five match unbeaten run came to a crashing end with a 1-0 defeat to Hendon last night - so there’s plenty to play for on Saturday.

“Yes, you look at it on paper it’s a massive, massive game,” agreed Tommy Warrilow’s assistant manager.

“But Sutton went to Hendon and everyone thought Sutton would get up a cricket score and we went to Croydon (Athletic) and every one thought Tonbridge Angels would get four, five, six and it never happened.

“It just shows you it is a difficult league and if you’re not right on the day you’re going to get beat so it’s going to be a very, very, I would imagine, entertaining, stressful, highly strung game (between) two sides that want to win a game of football. I can’t imagine for one instance that Sutton are going to come and try and get a point.”

The Angels play one of their games in hand away to Hastings United, a side that are hanging just one place above the relegation zone, next Tuesday.

“It’s points on the board that matter,” admitted O’Brien. “Talk is cheap. If you’ve got the points on the table you’re halfway there so even though we’ve got games in hand those games need to be won.

“It’s a league myself and Tom certainly don’t take teams for granted and neither do the players so come Saturday let’s see what we can get and then we go again Tuesday and Saturday and there’s games to be won.”

Speaking about the exciting title race, O’Brien added: “I think until it’s done it’s still up for grabs. You’ve got Bury Town. No ones mentioned Bury. Everyone has mentioned Sutton, Lowestoft and I don’t think Bury have been out of the top four all year so their a club that’s obviously looking at Sutton’s toes thinking they can get in there and we’ve got us, we can get in there. You’ve got Kingstonian and you’ve got Lowestoft. It’s not done!

“I’m sure Sutton are looking over their shoulder but while their winning games and beating sides they’re the boys to beat. They’re top of the pile and I’m sure they want to be there at the end of April but mark my words so do we!”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Sutton United

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 19th February 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

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