We’ll give it our all on the pitch. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. It’s been a fantastic season but we’re going there to try to progress to the final. If not, we’ll come back stronger next year, says Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm says his side will give it their all to keep their promotion dream alive.

 

The Angels relegated Burgess Hill Town following their goal-less draw at Leylands Park on Saturday, a result that saw McKimm’s men go from finishing fifth-from-bottom to fourth-place in a space of a year.

Tonbridge Angels completed their Ryman Premier League campaign with 85 points from their 46 games, having won 24, drawn 13 and lost nine.

They travel to East Thurrock United on Thursday night aiming to reach Monday’s play-off Final against Bognor Regis Town or Dulwich Hamlet.

John Coventry’s East Thurrock United side finished their campaign in third-place on 91 points, having won 26, drawn 13 and losing nine, which was the Essex club’s highest ever finish and they completed a league double over Tonbridge Angels.

“The season’s over now in terms of the league campaign, now we’ve got two cup finals, a semi-final and a cup final to take on now,” McKimm said on the club’s You Tube channel.

“The league’s finished, done and dusted. We are where we are, we deserve that, we’ve been there all season and now we look forward to Thursday and I mean look forward to it.

“It’s a great achievement. It only gets better if you win it as everyone says in the play-offs but it’s an achievement to get where we’ve got so far.

“I hope the boys go there, the supporters, the board and enjoy the evening.”

Hampton & Richmond Borough celebrated winning the league title on Saturday with a goal-less draw at home to Enfield Town, winning the title on 95 points, while Bognor Regis Town missed out on one point after thrashing Hendon 4-0 at home.

Bognor Regis Town will host fifth-placed Dulwich Hamlet, who finished on 81 points, one point clear of Enfield Town, who missed out for a second successive campaign.

“The top five were really sorted out, I think. I know this could’ve happened, that could’ve happened,” added McKimm.

“Hampton held their nerve and congratulations to Dowse (Alan Dowson), that’s brilliant. Unlucky for Bognor because they’ve been on one hell of a run and East Thurrock have been there all season and they’ve done very well.   They say Dulwich got in there and they’re going to be a threat in the play-offs anyway.

“It’s a lottery, we’ve got to take our chance, enjoy the evening and hopefully get the result that benefits the club. 

“If we don’t we’ll dust ourselves down and go again next season.

“All I ask is that as many supporters as we can to try and help us because it does help.

“We’ll give it our all on the pitch. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. It’s been a fantastic season but we’re going there to try to progress to the final. If not, we’ll come back stronger next year.”

If Tonbridge Angels progress through to the Ryman Premier League Play-Off Final then it will be staged on Monday 2^nd May (15:00) at the club who finished the highest in the table.

Tonbridge Angels will only stage the Final if they beat East Thurrock United and Dulwich Hamlet beat Bognor Regis Town.

Tonbridge Angels spent three season’s playing in Conference South (now National League South) under McKimm’s predecessor Tommy Warrilow, finishing in ninth-place in their first season (2011-12), followed by a sixteenth-place finish and being relegated in year three, finishing second from bottom.

Bognor Regis Town spent five seasons in Conference South between 2004-2009 where the Rocks finished ninth, 12^th, 12^th, 18^th and 21^st (second-from-bottom).

East Thurrock United and Dulwich Hamlet have yet played at that level of football.

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

East Thurrock United  v  Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final
Thursday 28^th April 2016
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex SS17 9LB