I will not be forced into panic buying, says Warrilow

Tonbridge Angels proved that there is life after Jon Main - after securing a 2-1 home win over Wealdstone on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 26-year-old striker quit the west Kent club for an undisclosed fee last week, joining AFC Wimbledon, their Ryman Premier League rivals.

But goals from Scott Kinch (a header) and a dramatic last-gasp winner from Hamid Barr, ensured new boss Tommy Warrilow has now secured two wins and a draw from his first three games in charge.

The former Horsham assistant manager was pleased with the win, a result that sees the Angels climb up to 14^th in the table - one place below Kent rivals Folkestone Invicta - and just six points adrift of the play-off spots.

“A real nail biter, first half we struggled but I thought second half we played better, spread it about and got a deserved winner,” Warrilow told www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk.

He added: “It’s been great seeing some confidence coming back. The lads are starting to believe in themselves again, which is what we are trying to instil in them.”

Warrilow, however, believes Tonbridge will be a much better outfit without Main, who netted a club record of 44 goals last term, and 20 this.

“Jon was a great goalscorer but keeping unhappy players serves no purpose and he wanted to go,” explained the 43-year-old Cuxton based boss.

“We also needed to become less one dimensional. What if Jon had got injured?

“It was a good deal for the club and a good move for Jon. So we move on.”

Warrilow, meanwhile, explained his goals for the rest of the season.

He said: “This season we need to get together the players we want to build for the future.

“However, you have to set targets so ours is to try and make the play-off spots. Then move on next season.”

Warrilow is delighted with a break from playing this week, so he can prepare for next Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy home tie against Burnham.

“We have had very little chance of working with the guys so far,” he admitted.

“This week will be our first real shot at training together and getting everyone to gel.

“It’s about being calm, believing in your own abilities and playing football.”

Chairman Nick Sullivan, however, revealed there’s been some “outside issues” to contend with.

“To be fair to Tommy, he has also had to deal with some outside issues in his first two weeks,” he revealed.

“Off the field stuff that has diverted his main attention. Things that have started to come to light, which has restricted his time with the players.”

But Warrilow insists there’s a lot more to come from his first signing, winger John Westcott, 28, who made his debut against the Stones.

“I have had him at Horsham for a while and know what he can do,” he said.

“He would have always been in my team there and I think he showed glimpses of what’s to come.

“So yes, I like to play with wingers, getting to the by-line and getting the ball into the box.

“We intend to give every player here a chance. They all start with a clean sheet and there is no need to panic.

“Cliff Cant (assistant manager) and I gave ourselves the first seven games to figure things out and get settled and then to start tweaking things.

“We are looking at five or six positions to see what we may need but there will be no panicking.

“We do have players in mind and the chairman has given us full support, so if the right person comes along then we will go for him.

“But we are interested in players for the future, ones who can play up a level, who can make us candidates for promotion not just to keep us where we are - to progress.”

The Angels have submitted another seven-day approach for a player who plays for a Blue Square South club.

“Getting non-contract players means we still have the money for fees if and when we need to buy,” explained Warrilow.

“We are also trying to tie up some stuff with two League clubs, which may come off and also now players are starting to call us and so are other clubs.

“One name came into the equation, which could be a big signing, but time will tell.”

Chairman Mr Nick Sullivan, meanwhile, admitted he was feeling “very tired” during the week that the club’s star signing wanted out.

“He asked to leave,” explained Mr Sullivan. “We wanted to keep him but things went on and it was his choice to go.

“We wanted to do what was best for us but if we had kept him we could have ended up getting nothing.

“As the fee was a club record, plus there is also a 20% sell on clause and pre-season friendlies, so more money could come in over the next two or three years, making it a very good deal for the club.”

Explaining why Main’s transfer fee was “undisclosed”, Mr Sullivan added: “We don’t want other clubs bumping prices on players just because they know we have £s in the bank. And as we have stated, every penny Tommy can spend on new blood.”

Quotes courtesy of www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk