Tonbridge Angels assistant Barry Moore: The boys are working hard in training and the confidence is growing, which we hope can continue to get us a result against the Met

TONBRIDGE ANGELS assistant manager Barry Moore says he does not want a repeat of their poor performance against Metropolitan Police.

The Angels suffered a 2-0 defeat at Imber Court on 23 January and the two sides meet again at Longmead Stadium tomorrow.

Tonbridge Angels enjoyed back-to-back wins over Staines Town (2-1) and Merstham (1-0), to be in eleventh-place in the Bostik Premier Division table with 47 points from 33 games.

The club are 12 points adrift of the play-off zone and manager Steve McKimm was told to release Ton Jelley, Dan Thompson (who signed for Vanarama National League South side Braintree Town today) and Ryan Worrall as a result of a budget cut.

The Police are in seventh-place in the table with 55 points on the board from 35 games, three points adrift of the play-off zone.

“Tomorrow we face Metropolitan Police who are going to be a very tough test,” said Moore.

“Jim Cooper and Gavin Macpherson always have a well-organised, physically strong side with quality on the ball that can hurt you.

“Our last game against them was probably our worst performance of the season in terms of work ethic and quality on the ball so I’m sure the lads will want to put that right on Saturday afternoon.”

Moore believes confidence has come back to his squad after grinding out two vital wins.

He said:  “We have won our last two games against Staines and Merstham in which we have looked a lot more solid off the ball and although we haven’t created loads of chances the ones we have done we have been clinical, which is something that has cost us points this season.

“The boys are working hard in training and the confidence is growing, which we hope can continue to get us a result against the Met.”

Moore revealed the budget cut has given chances to the young players within McKimm’s squad.

“As I’m sure some people know the budget has been cut until the end of the season and Tom Jelley, Dan Thompson and Ryan Worrall have all had to be released, which is all part and parcel of football but it was hard to do as each of them have showed a great attitude and been a pleasure to work with,” said Moore.

“Some of our younger lads from the under 23 squad and the likes of Tashi-Jay Kwayie, Liam Smith and Callum Adonis-Taylor, who is back from his loan at Whyteleafe,  all those lads are under the age of 20, so the future looks positive for them.”

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

Tonbridge Angels  v  Metropolitan Police
Bostik Premier Division
Saturday 24 February 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF