Tonbridge Angels 2 Molesey 0 - Angels look to their home comforts - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Tuesday 25th April 2006

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2
Fraser Logan 7
Ray Powell 56

MOLESEY 0

Stephen McCartney reports from Betterview Longmead Stadium
Ryman League Division One

It’s the final day of the Ryman League Division One season on Saturday and at least a point at basement boys Corinthian Casuals will ensure Tonbridge Angels receive a home tie in the semi-finals of the play-off’s.

Tonbridge leapfrogged over Metropolitan Police into third place tonight following their 2-0 victory over Molesey in front of 263 fans that decided not to stay at home and watch Arsenal triumph in their Champions League semi-final at Villarreal.

It took just seven minutes for Tonbridge to open the scoring when former Bromley striker Fraser Logan, whose been playing on the left wing for the Angels, drove a shot across goalkeeper John Ashwood and into the bottom far corner of the net from 16-yards.

Luke Piscina’s return to the side has coincided with the Angels collecting five wins from their last six games and the local player had the home side’s next chance when his right-footed effort from 20-yards flew over the bar.

Molesey’s best chance, however, fell to their top-scorer Phil Ruggles. The 31-goal striker, kept quiet by Tonbridge’s back line, drove a shot just wide of the near post from 20-yards.

Ray Powell, who has just scooped the supporters’ player of he year award, showed why he’s the club’s best player on the stroke of half-time.

Picking the ball up from Alex O’Brien’s pass on the right, the former Fisher Athletic striker burst forward, cut inside John Murphy and his low cross found Tony Dolby.

The player-manager’s cross from the left was, however, glanced just wide by Powell from eight-yards.

Four fine saves from Angels’ goalkeeper Jerome John early in the second half kept the Surrey side at bay.

Molesey brought on Steve Brown at the half-time interval, and the blonde striker was the spark they needed.

Sam Lampard’s right-footed 20-yard shot, which was floating towards the top far corner, was superbly tipped around the post by the diving Tonbridge goalkeeper.

Then the goalkeeper was at the right place at the right time when Ruggles and Brown headed towards goal and then Lampard was denied again by the highly-rated stopper, getting down low to prevent the 20-yard drive finding the corner.

But Powell’s thirteenth goal of the season secured all three vital points after 56 minutes.

Three goal Logan sent over a cross from the left hand side and Powell rose with the visiting goalkeeper to nod the ball into the top right hand corner.

Powell got a good ovasion from the Longmead faithful when he was substituted later in the game.

Piscina had a couple of chances to add to the scoreline but Dolby was pleased his side will be on home soil when it comes to the play-off lottery.

Tonbridge, as expected, should finish in third place and if they do they will play the side that finishes the season in sixth place next Monday, 1^st May, 3pm at the Betterview Longmead Stadium.

The side that finishes in fourth place will host the side that finished fifth.

And the club that finished the highest in the table shall have home advantage in the play-off final on Saturday, 6^th May.

“I think we’ve got to look at the positives,” said Dolby, whose side have kept three clean sheets in their last three home games. “They are we’re not conceding many goals at all at home and we’re winning consistently.

“That’s pretty impressive form by anybody’s standards and that’s the sort off form you want to be hitting going into something as intense as the play-off’s.

“Confidence is everything and if we do manage to get a point at Corinthians and we’ve got a home leg in both (play-off) games we’ll obviously look to make that pay as well

“We’re looking strong at home and yes, we’ve not got anybody to fear.”

Dolby though will be pondering team tinkering for their trip to already relegated side Corinthian Casuals on Saturday in order to rest key players ahead of their tense lottery semi-final.

“It’s a very tricky one,” he said when asked about his team selection. “Obviously we need a point and you can’t expect Met Police not to pick up three points against Ramsgate.

“They’ve got more to play for than Ramsgate have so you’ve got to assume that Met Police are going to get three points so therefore we do require a point. So you can’t take it likely.

“At the same token we desperately want to do well in the play-off’s and get promoted. I have to maybe make a couple of changes and anticipate bringing a few players on and keeping a few players fresh.”

Having watched Bromley’s rise into the Ryman Premier League last season, both play-off matches were tense affairs. George Wakeling’s side defeated Metropolitan Police in a penalty shoot out at Hayes Lane before winning 3-1 at Horsham in the final.

So how will Dolby and his team approach their play-off lotteries.

“It’s a game of football,” he said. “It’s on our home patch and you’ve got to get in their faces and you’ve got to utilise your strengths.

“We fear no one. I think we’ve proved what we can do this season and obviously like I‘ve said before we’ve been pretty consistent. We have to make sure that remains the same in the play-off’s”

Which side Tonbridge will be playing on Monday is still very unclear and we won’t know until 5pm on Saturday.

“You’ve hit the nail on the head by saying it’s a lottery. I don’t think there’s a game you would want or not want. I think it is, like you say, on the day.

“It could be the side that’s in-form that suddenly has an off day or the side that hasn’t put together a load of wins and all off a sudden plays out of their skins.

“I certainly won’t be wanting anybody particular. I just want to make sure we’re at home, with the fans behind us and the boys produce the goods.”

Dolby, however, will be looking at his experienced men to coax through the side’s youngsters in the play-off cauldron.

“I think we’ve got a good blend of experience and youth,” said Dolby. “I’m sure the experienced lads will take it in their stride ad the young lads will all rise to the occasion.

“I don’t think anybody here will freeze. We’ve got very capable footballers and we’ve also got very strong hearted lads with a desire to win so I’d like to think we’ve got the balance of what it takes to win one-off games and hopefully that will be the case.”

And is Dolby feeling the pressure? “No, not personally,” he replied. “I don’t feel the pressure. It’s what I love and here to do and playing in big games like the play-off’s, I’m sure there will be massive crowds. It’s what we do and why we’re in the business and I thrive on it personally.”

* Midfielder Danny Lye is available for selection following his two-match ban.

Tonbridge Angels: Jerome John, Drew Watkins (Nick Barnes 67), Fraser Logan, Lew Watts, Steve Aris (capt), John Beales, Luke Piscina, Alex O’Brien, Jon Main (Adam O‘Neill 57), Tony Dolby, Ray Powell (Jay May 81).
Subs: Mike Cramp, Mikhail Czanner.
Molesey: John Ashwood, Aaron Nowacki, Phil Caughter, Dan Lucas, John Murphy, Wayne Noad (Paul Cross 56), Chris Wales (Steve Brown 45), Lee Richardson, Warren Burton (Paul Gower 76) Phil Ruggles, Sam Lampard.
Subs: Dave Skilton, Clark Gooding.
Attendance: 263
Referee: Mr Tony Mason (Sidcup)
Assistants: Mr Darren Blunden (Sidcup) & Mr Constantine Hatsidakis (London SE9)