Taple topping Angels' defy bookies' odds - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Sunday 27th August 2006

Tonbridge Angels’ fans are pinching themselves as they find themselves still at the top of the Ryman Premier League table with a 100% record after three games, writes Stephen McCartney.

Striker Andy Martin, a pre-season capture from Croydon Athletic, scored an early goal at Hendon on the opening day of the season.

But four goals from Jon Main, and two late strikes from Scott Gooding and Adam O’Neil, sent the Angels’ flying to the top of the table last Tuesday as Worthing were thumped 6-1.

And goals from Ray Powell and Fraser Logan helped the west Kent club defeat Carshalton Athletic, a side who were playing Nationwide Conference South football last season, yesterday.

“It’s been a very good start, very solid and very hardworking, working well in the right areas, doing the simple things well,” player boss Tony Dolby said in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their trip to Ramsgate.

Dolby’s side have taken advantage of the favourites playing each other so early in the season.

Chelmsford City held Bromley to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season, and the Essex side travel to Margate, currently second in the table with seven points, next Saturday.

“Well I think a few of the teams at the top have to play each other,” Dolby added. “They’ll be big contenders but it’s a great situation to be in, the only side with a 100% record but I’m under no illusions, it’s very early days."

Dolby’s side were the only team to take four points from Ramsgate last season.

This time last year they secured a 2-1 win at the Betterview Longmead Stadium and on New Year’s Day shared the points after a six-goal thriller at Southwood Stadium.

Dolby said: “Ramsgate have had a very good start, beating Heybridge Swifts and getting a point at Wimbledon and only getting narrowly beaten at Bromley.

“They’ve only conceded one goal and they will be very strong, very organised and it’s a very tough place to get three points.”

But the Angels are proudly sitting at the summit of the Ryman Premier League table, above much fancied sides with much bigger budgets, and Dolby revealed morale in the camp is very high.

“I think the boys are relishing the challenge really,” he said. “There’s an inner belief that they can do well this year and that’s shining through on the pitch at the moment.”

Dolby admitted he’s pleased that his side’s nine goals have come from all over the pitch.

But Powell, top-scorer Jon Main, and Drew Watkins should be fit enough after picking up slight knocks yesterday.

But Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has confidence that striker Shaun Welford will get off the mark against their Kent rivals tomorrow.

The Rams, who have secured back-to-back titles, are currently unbeaten on home soil, after defeating last season’s runners-up and play-off finalists Heybridge Swifts 2-0 on the opening day of the season.

But they have failed to hit the target in their last two games – away from home - despite holding AFC Wimbledon to a goal-less draw last Tuesday and losing to a late goal at another big-spending side, Bromley yesterday.

“Fair play to Tony Dolby he’s done very well,” praised Ward. “Both Ramsgate and Tonbridge were favourites to get relegated by the bookies. I don’t think that will be that way. Tonbridge are a good side, and like us they work very hard.”

But the Scot is confident Welford can get off the mark, saying: “Shaun Welford is due a goal, he’s playing really well, playing out of his skin. He’s due a goal - perhaps tomorrow is the day?”

Ward, however, admitted he’s not concerned that his side have scored just two goals in their first three games – as they’ve only conceded one goal.

“It’s not from the want of being negative as we haven’t got a negative bone in our bodies,” he said.

“We play a system that’s scored the second highest number of goals in the league last year, and conceded the second lowest.

Ward will, however, give fitness tests to Ollie Schulz (neck) and Michael Yianni (dead leg) before tomorrow's "East meets West" Kent derby, which should attract a crowd of at least 600 to Southwood Stadium.

“It’s very quick to play after a difficult game Saturday,” said Ward. “We’ll have a look at them tomorrow and pick a team from there.

But the Thanet side, eleventh in the table, are enjoying the early days of their Ryman Premier League campaign – the highest the club has played in 50 years.

“It’s a different quality, we knew this anyway,” said Ward. “A lot of sides have better individuals from what we played against week in, week out, last year.

“Three teams we’ve played against have had these three individuals but we’ve got our individuals as well. But we base things on the team ethic.

But Ward knows, at the back of his mind, that Tonbridge Angels, who joined them in the Ryman Premier League following their 3-2 win over Dover Athletic in the play-off final in May, took four points off his side last term.

“We went there on Bank Holiday August and we got beaten 2-1,” recalled Ward. “They spent most of the time in their own half.

“If I get the same response from my players tomorrow, I’ll be pleased with that.

“But I’m not concerned with the goals, Shaun Welford will get his fare share of goals.

“We’re doing allright. We didn’t create many chances Saturday, but Bromley were a good side, but we created enough chances against Heybridge, who we beat quite comfortably, and Wimbledon.

“You’ve got to enjoy it though. It’s the first time the club has played at this level for 50 years so we’ve got to enjoy it, but the best way to enjoy it is to win.”

* Subject to our Internet connection (we’ve been having problems with it recently) www.kentishfootball.co.uk shall be providing LIVE COVERAGE of tomorrow’s "East Meets West" Kent derby at Southwood Stadium tomorrow.

Visit Ramsgate's website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

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

Ramsgate v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate