Cup games can go any way, it’s who turns up on the day and gets that bit of luck, says Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm hopes to have some luck when his injury-hit side travel to Kingstonian in The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round tomorrow.

The Angels were without seven players for Tuesday night’s Kent Reliance Senior Cup tie at home to Bromley.

Neil Smith brought a full Vanarama National League side to Longmead Stadium and Tobi Sho-Silva’s fifth goal of the season sealed Bromley a comfortable 1-0 win.

McKimm was forced into playing a number of younger players in the game and they acquitted themselves well against a side that play two leagues above.

“Bromley was a good experiment to see our young lads perform against a strong side who I’m sure with Neil in charge will start climbing the National League.,” said McKimm.

Tonbridge Angels have slipped down the Ryman Premier League table and travel to Kingstonian in eighth-place with 23 points from 13 games. They are only a couple of points adrift of fifth-placed side Billericay Town.

“Cup games can go any way, it’s who turns up on the day and gets that bit of luck,” said McKimm.

“I’ve got a depleted squad with injuries but hopefully they’ll be back soon.”

The two sides met at Longmead Stadium last Saturday afternoon and Alan Inns’ seventh-minute goal was enough for the K’s to come out on top.

Kingstonian go into the Trophy tie one place lower than Tonbridge with a league record of seven wins, two draws and nine defeats.

Tonbridge Angels’ assistant manager Barry Moore said: “I think it was a bit of a stalemate on Saturday. One lapse in concentration, they scored.  It could’ve been 0-0 quite easily.  It was probably one of the most boring games we’ve played this year but again you don’t want to make excuses.”

Big target-man Nathan Elder played for 65 minutes against Bromley and Moore said: “Nathan Elder is a big focal point for us and with him in on Saturday, I think that’s going to help us.

“Luke Allen’s back in the squad because he had a one-game suspension. The others, not too sure. Maybe another week away for them, 10 days.  Hopefully we’ll get two or three back for our next league game, which is our priority. 

“We obviously want to win Saturday but Burgess Hill is off next Tuesday, which is a blessing really and we go to Needham (next Saturday) hopefully in a lot better shape with the squad.”

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

Kingstonian  v  Tonbridge Angels
The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 12^th November 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Kingsmeadow Stadium, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 3PB