Warrilow: We must get back to basics and climb the league table

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow is counting the financial cost after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle at the weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels lost their first qualifying round tie to their Kent rivals Dover Athletic 2-1 in front of a disappointingly low crowd of 797 at the Betterview Longmead Stadium.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side, who fought back from a twice-taken Carl Rook penalty to win it through Jon Wallis and Shaun Welford, have been handed a comfortable home tie against either Needham Market or Yaxley on 20^th September.

“Everyone would welcome a FA Cup run,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after his side’s disappointing defeat.

“We just want to get a few more supporters on a regular basis. Like everything, we’re not a bottomless pit. We’ve come a long way in three years with Nick (Sullivan) and now Garry (Pass) has come on board.

“We’ve spent a lot of money on the improvements on the ground trying to take us that next step further.”

Bottom-of-the-table Heybridge Swifts, with just four draws to their name after eight league games, visit Longmead Stadium on Saturday - and Warrilow wants his side to bounce back in style.

“I think eighth place sums us up really,” admitted Warrilow. “We’ve coughed and spluttered our way through. There’s some good and bad parts and that showed against Dover.

“It’s a matter of trying to get us to gel, it will happen. We’ve got a young side, I’ve got an average age of 24-25, they’re a good set of lads, their learning.

“I’m confident we’ll be up there at the end of the season but at the moment it’s a little bit frustrating for everyone but eighth place sort of sums up how we’ve started the season.”

Despite currently sitting in eighth place, Warrilow knows his side aren’t too far off the sides chasing league leaders Dover Athletic, who are eight points clear of his side.

He said: “The main thing for my point of view, it’s not a massive gap appearing between the top sides and eighth spot. We’re only five points off third spot and what I’ll be looking at is the points gap, not so much the position.

Warrilow added: “We’ve gone out of the FA Cup but the league’s our priority. I just don’t want to dismiss the FA Cup, it’s ruined my weekend, like it has players and supporters, but it’s important we get back to basics.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels websites:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Tonbridge Angels v Heybridge Swifts
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 20^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW