Warrilow signs trio in time for Wimbledon Trophy showdown - EXCLUSIVE

The Tonbridge Angels manager saw his side produce the shock of the FA Trophy last month by knocking out giants Oxford United in the first round – at the second attempt.

Hamid Barr scored THAT goal that knocked out the former Football League club on an epic night at the Betterview Longmead Stadium, three days after they held the Blue Square Premier giants to a brave goal-less draw at the immaculate Kassasm Stadium.

Next up is an AFC Wimbledon side that’s unbeaten in their last eight games, winning their last five, and this second round clash between the last remaining Ryman League clubs is expected to attract a record breaking crowd of 2,000 as Trophy fever hits west Kent.

And just like the last round, Warrilow’s Warriors go into the game as underdogs – in fact his side are the least fancied side to go on and win the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium in May if you listen to Bookmakers.

But the former Horsham assistant manager is relishing this LAST 32 clash.

“We’re going into the game as underdogs but we were supposed to go out to Oxford,” said Warrilow, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following tonight’s training session.

“Our game plan is to concentrate on doing our things right and if we get that right we shouldn’t be too far off.

“We respect AFC Wimbledon but we don’t fear them.  They’re a good team, a great squad, a great club.  Anyone would like to be involved with them.

“They’re the targets that we all strive to meet – a well run club, well supported and a landmark for other non-league clubs to look at.

“I don’t have a bad word to say about them but it’s a game of football, eleven men versus eleven.

“We’re going to be organised. We know what we’re going to get from them.  It’s really on the day, who wants it the most and who does the right things at the right time and the right places.”

Warrilow has added THREE new faces to his squad in the week leading up to the showdown.

Phil Starkey, 20, was signed on a month’s loan from Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United earlier in the week, and two players have signed on free-transfers tonight and are available for selection.

John Wilfort, 29, who can play in defence or central midfield, arrives from managerless Blue Square South side Welling United, whilst the much-travelled striker Micky Collins, 36, has signed from Kent League outfit Erith Town.

Warrilow was quick to thank Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish for allowing Starkey to play for the Angels in the FA Trophy, despite the Fleet looking forward to their trip to Dorchester Town in the same competition.

“I spoke to Liam and explained the situation I was in and asked for certain areas to be addressed and he helped out with Phil,” explained Warrilow.

“I asked him to use Phil in the Trophy with the situation with (having) eleven players and I’m extremely grateful and hopes it benefits everyone long-term.

“Phil’s had a couple of starts this year with Ebbsfleet and he proved that on Tuesday with a more than accomplished debut – I’m more than pleased.”

Explaining why he’s brought former Bromley and Erith Town player Wilfort from Park View Road, Warrilow said: “He wasn’t on contract with Welling, there was a bit of disruption this week with Neil (Smith) leaving.

But Warrilow revealed that Collins is a short-term signing ahead of Saturday’s game.

“He’s 36, fit, looked after himself.  He’s a good lad to have around at the moment.  He brings experience and won’t be overawed if he’s needed.

“He was on the coaching staff with Mark Tompkins at Erith Town.  John was only at Erith as he was overcoming an injury and played for Welling in the Conference South – these blokes can more than hold their own at this level.

“We’ve got a bit more depth on the bench.  I didn’t want to start the game with five youngsters on the bench – I think people can appreciate that.

The Tonbridge manager expects his side to rise to the occasion in front of the club’s largest ever crowd.

“I expect a nice old fashioned league atmosphere,” he said.  “A big crowd in a tight ground, hopefully it’s going to be a cup tie with a bit of blood and thunder to make it more exciting.  Mistakes will happen – hopefully not by us.

“The lads’ don’t need any motivation.  All the boys are playing for their shirts and obviously the draw for the LAST SIXTEEN.”

And Warrilow wants his heroic side to answer the bookies and prove to them that they are more than capable of causing a few more shocks.

He said: “They didn’t think we’d beat Oxford, so it doesn’t really matter does it?”

”We should have gone out of the last round. We will prove them wrong but there’s no easy games in this competition.

“If you don’t want to play in these games you shouldn’t be in football.

“There’s a buzz around the ground, the town, and we want to reward our fans.”

Big-spending AFC Wimbledon can hurt sides all over the pitch, and Warrilow warned: “You can’t say you’re going to keep them quiet.

“If I’m marking someone you have to make sure he doesn’t go by me.

“They’ve got strength in depth, the goals can come from anywhere.”

The Angels are still involved in the Ryman League Cup, Kent Senior Cup, and of course, the FA Trophy.

And another heroic victory will mean that the west Kent club are a step closer to their first ever visit to Wembley Stadium.

“I think it’s great for the club,” said Warrilow.  “We’re in all the cups at the moment and I aim to stay in most of them.

“The priority is the league, it would be nice to finish higher than last year.  We’re still looking for the play-off’s until it’s mathematically impossible.

“But a couple of cup finals at the end of it, it’s great for everyone.”

CUP-TIED ANGELS:
Carl Rook (Horsham), John Westcott (Horsham), Akwesi Edusei (East Thurrock United), Luke Fontana (Carshalton Athletic).

SUSPENDED ANGELS:
Scott Kinch and Robbie Kember

ADMISSION PRICES:
£9 (adults), £5 (concessions) £3 (concessions)

Turnstiles open at 1pm – the game will be controlled by stewards and police inside – and outside – the ground

TARGET 2,000
Tonbridge Angels’ highest ever attendance was for the Ryman League Division One South play-off final against Dover Athletic in May 2006 when 1.853 watched Tonbridge Angels seal promotion with a 3-2 win.