Warrilow relishing Hornets reunion - EXCLUSIVE

Sunday 23rd December 2007

It’s been a very impressive seven days for Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Not only has his side knocked non-league giants Oxford United out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy in midweek, winning the replay courtesy of a Hamid Barr strike, after holding the Blue Square Premier outfit to a goal-less draw at the Kassam Stadium last weekend, the Angels held third placed and highly-rated side Staines Town to a 1-1 draw at Wheatsheaf Park yesterday.

“I’ve had more calls today than the Oxford result saying “what a good result,” Warrilow said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Staines and Chelmsford are probably the best two teams I’ve seen, so very delighted. We could have come away with all three points.”

Despite conceding early, substitute John Westcott, one of two players signed from Warrilow’s former club Horsham, netted a late leveller.

And Warrilow was very impressed with the Swans.

“They’re a good footballing team,” he said. “Obviously their FA Cup run showed what they’re capable of doing – they’re really good, well organised.

“To be honest a draw was a fair result. We didn’t start the game until twenty minutes in – the Oxford game took a lot out of us.

“We showed good character, but all in all, pleased with the point.

“We went one (goal) down and the difference now is (we have the) belief (that) we can get back into the game.

“It would be nice to go in front for a change. Staines did start well, we got caught cold but the midweek game did take a lot out of them.”

Attention now turns to the Boxing Day showdown against Horsham, as Warrilow, Westcott and striker Carl Rook come up against their former club for the very first time.

“I don’t care who we’re playing Boxing Day, we’re at home and it’s important to get three points,” said the Hornets’ former assistant.

“We’ve had a very difficult December, which we knew when we looked at the programme. The last four games (were against) Chelmsford, Oxford twice, Staines – and even Billericay at home.

“We are more a decent side (but) it’s important that we turn the draws into wins."

Westcott and Rook were both forced to sit out of the two epics with Oxford United, having played for Horsham in the earlier rounds – but they impressed yesterday and are desperate to put one over their former club.

Warrilow brought Westcott on for Kirk Watts and was pleased that the winger made an instant impact – scoring his first goal for his new side.

Warrilow said: “I took Watts off with fifteen minutes to go and brought Westy on – we’ve got the luxury of three wide boys.”

“Carl Rook done well. He had a right battle with the two centre halves. Carl’s only had two games of football in three weeks so generally pleased with the pair of them – as with all of them.”

But Warrilow admits he’s enjoying life at Tonbridge Angels, especially as the defeat at Harrow Borough is the only one he’s suffered in his first 12 games as Angels boss.

And he’s looking forward to locking horns with a close friend, Horsham manager John Maggs on Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m looking forward to seeing John and his family and the (Horsham) players,” he said.

But he added: “I’m looking to get three points on Boxing Day to push us up the table.”

Warrilow was down to the bare bones for their historic 1-0 win over Oxford United last Tuesday night, but only has Anthony Storey (who serves the last of his three match ban) missing against the Hornets.

“I’m really enjoying it and the lads (are) fighting for positions,” said Warrilow.

“It’s nice to look at the bench (which) was very strong.”

With the Angels in the bottom four, Warrilow knows his side are more than capable of climbing the Ryman Premier League table.

“There’s enough quality in this squad to push up in the league and not to take your shirt for granted – there’s a lot of competition now,” he said.

Thanks to their heroic FA Cup campaign, Horsham have fallen behind in their league campaign – they’ve only played 15 games – so their position in the bottom six is false.

“Horsham are a very good team, a good footballing team,” said Warrilow.

“I know every single player and they’re capable of playing at a higher level – there’s no big time Charlie’s.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites:

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/gallery

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Tonbridge Angels v Horsham
Ryman Premier League
Boxing Day, Wednesday 26^th December 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW