There's no way we're taking the foot of the pedal, says Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has warned that tomorrow’s opponents will not give up the ghost of clinching the Ryman Premier League title this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Warrilow takes his side to Wheatsheaf Park for the second time this year, for the second-versus third showdown against Staines Town.

The original game, on the tenth day of 2009, was postponed by match referee Mark Mellor, who incidentally also takes charge of tomorrow night’s game, just fifty minutes before kick-off, despite the pitch passing two earlier pitch inspections, as the cold snap brought a halt to every Ryman League game that day.

Warrilow, who handed Dunfermline born former East Fife, Tottenham, Motherwell (loan), Woking and AFC Wimbledon striker Steve Ferguson his debut at the weekend, following his release from Billericay Town, told BBC Radio Kent that he is expecting a tough game.

Staines go into the clash in second place, and are now fifteen points adrift of leaders Dover Athletic, following their goal-less draw at Perrys Crabble at the weekend, although they do have two games in hand on Andy Hessenthaler’s side.

The Angels, meanwhile, are fourteen points adrift of Staines in third place, but more importantly results went their way at the weekend, following their convincing 3-0 win at Carshalton Athletic, and are ten points clear of sixth placed Dartford.

“You never say never in this world,” said Warrilow. “If I was the teams below I’d still be chasing.

“I’ve been around long enough to know what it’s like to come to places like Carshalton and we’ve got a difficult game at Staines on Tuesday night, but I’m fully aware we’ve got to go to places like Harrow Borough, which is difficult to get results.

“But the main thing, I’ve said to a few people in the past, the games are running out now, so as long as the gaps widened and the games are running out, it does ease things, but there’s no way we’re taking the foot of the pedal.”

Tonbridge Angels go into tomorrow’s game, hopefully a dress-rehearsal for the Ryman Premier League play-off final, in buoyant mood, following their win at Colston Avenue.

“No disrespect, but they didn’t cause us any problems,” said Warrilow, when speaking about Carshalton Athletic.

“I’m not going to take nothing away from it, it’s a great result here, because they are a very good side.

“They are just having a blip and things aren’t going right for them, but I’m not taking nothing away from my boys, they actually worked their socks off today and got their just rewards.”

Praising his side’s work rate, Warrilow was delighted that his side completed the double over one of the best side’s in the division.

“Carshalton knock it around well and on their day are probably the best footballing side in the league,” he said.

“I think sometimes that’s their downfall because they try to play it everywhere too much.”

And looking ahead to the game tomorrow, the boss added, “I don’t think Staines will give the ghost up.

“However far apart they are (from Dover), until it’s mathematically impossible, I think they’ll be chasing it anyway.

“We’re going there, my aim is to see if we can catch them.”

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

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent: www.bbc.co.uk/kent

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

Staines Town v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 17^th March 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Lane, Staines, Middlesex TW18 2PD