Tonbridge reserve team boss Leigh "optimistic" winning Kent Intermediate Cup - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Julian Leigh takes his Tonbridge Angels’ reserve side to Stonebridge Road tomorrow night going into the unknown, writes Stephen McCartney.

Wins over Whitstable Town (1-0), Chatham Town (3-1), Folkestone Invicta (2-1) and a satisfying 5-0 semi-final victory over local rivals Sevenoaks Town, has put them in their second successive Kent Intermediate Cup Final.
 
But having lost last season’s final 3-2 to Dover Athletic, Leigh, who took over the side at the start of the season having previously managed Sevenoaks Town’s first team, is expecting to play a young but talented Gravesend & Northfleet side.
 
“I’m expecting them to be a young side with plenty of energy, said the 49-year-old.
 
“But I don’t know a lot about them because they play in that midweek Capital League.  Will it be their PASE Scheme side? But I think they will be well organised and technically good.”

The Angels romped to an 8-1 victory against a struggling Godalming Town side at the Betterview Longmead Stadium last night.
 
The side included first team player-boss Tony Dolby, Steve Sodje, Jon Main and Jon Heath, whose recently returned from Australia.
 
Goals were scored byAdam O’Neill (2), Sodje (2), Ian Parkes, Main, and substitutes Alex McEwan and Jack Maddams.  The visitors scored a late consolation through Tony White.

“In fairness, Godalming are second from bottom in the league and we scored early against a young side.
 
“It was good to see some of the under sixteen’s play, one scored.  Jack Maddams, he’s just turned sixteen two weeks ago.
 
But Leigh is forced into making wholesale changes for Thursday night’s cup final, which should attract a good crowd to Stonebridge Road.  His side are well supported at home with at least 100 turning out to watch them.
 
“There’s strict restrictions on who can and can’t play,” he said.  He is, however, confident his side have a good chance of winning some silverware.  “We’ve had a good run, we’ve played well since Christmas.  I’m optimistic.”
 
Leigh is coming to the end of his first season in charge of the reserve side but is pleased with the professionalism shown by Dolby and the first team players that have been asked to leave the melting point of the Ryman League Division One promotion race to the calmer waters of the Suburban League.
 
“I’ve loved every minute of it, it’s so professional,” Leigh, whose side are fourteen games unbeaten, said.  “I’ve built up a good relationship with Tony (Dolby) and Nick (Sullivan).
 
“It’s worked so well.  The first team boys have enjoyed playing, sometimes you get a divide but real credit to them.
 
“I appreciate it and the boys in the reserves appreciate it when the (first team) boys come down and play.”
 
Level headed England Schoolboy Ian Parkes will be able to show the fans how he earned International honours.
 
Leigh has also got high hopes for former Sevenoaks Town striker Danny Powell, former Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper Matt Bromby, midfielder Mannie Neville and Michael Cramp and feels they will be knocking on Dolby’s door for a place in his first team squad next season.

But another player selected for England Schoolboys Matt Hollyoak, however, is not in the squad.
 
* Meanwhile, Tonbridge Angels, who are currently fifth in the Suburban League Southern Division will be the only Kent side in the league next season as Dover Athletic (seventh in the Premier Division) are expected to re-join the Kent League’s reserve set-up next season.  Margate’s re-formed reserve side should also be playing in the Kent League (reserve division) next season.

Gravesend & Northfleet v Tonbridge Angels
Kent Intermediate Cup Final
Thursday 20th April 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet