We must claim bragging rights again, says Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has told his team to keep their cool during Saturday’s big west Kent showdown against arch-rivals Maidstone United, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of over 1,000 is expected at a passion-filled Longmead Stadium, as two sides with play-off aspirations clash.

Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after training tonight, says he wants a better performance than the one at Bourne Park back in September.

It was a smash-and-grab raid from his side, as Jamie Cade’s bundled strike, with just 82 seconds of a flat derby remaining, stole the points.

“Hopefully it’s a better game than we had at Bourne Park,” said Warrilow.

“It was an atrocious day with that wind that killed the game, but I would settle for the same result as we nicked it at the end there.

“Last minute goals they all come around and go around; that’s what happened to us against Ramsgate, scoring in the 96^th minute.

“That wasn’t a great performance at Maidstone, but the main thing was we took the win and analysed the win afterwards.”

Tonbridge have had two training sessions since that debacle at Staines Town last Saturday, which was called off just 50 minutes before kick-off, despite the frozen Wheatsheaf Park pitch passing two pitch inspections.

“We’ve had the balls out a lot this week, because the last couple of weeks we’ve been running because the ground’s been too hard,” said Warrilow. “We’ve been working on our pattern of play.

“It’s been stop-start since Boxing Day, but we’re all in the same boat, so hopefully we’ll be refreshed and ready to go.

“We’ve got a busy couple of weeks coming up with the League Cup and League, so the game’s will be coming thick and fast.”

The Angels lock horns with Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday, but the Ryman League have insisted that the Angels travel to Colston Avenue for a Ryman League Cup third round tie - instead of a mouth-watering home game in the league.

“To be honest, I was the only one not surprised by that as the cup would take preference on a league game,” said Warrilow.

“You find county cup games overrule the league games. The main thing is it’s a game, I’m happy with two games a week for the next couple of weeks.”

Full-back, Lewis Hamilton has come through tonight’s training session unscathed and will be added to the 15-man squad against the Stones. Simon Glover, meanwhile, will be available for the trip to Carshalton as he serves the last of his three match suspension.

Warrilow, meanwhile, wants his side to complete the double over the Stones, whilst maintaining their focus.

He said: “I always tell my players to keep their discipline or their concentration and their game goes out the window.

“It’s a local derby so there’s going to be a little bit of spice to it.

“Hopefully there’s a nice good crowd with lots of banter going on and the main thing is we come away with a result and build on that for the Carshalton game.”

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

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

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk & www.smtwtgh.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Maidstone United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 17^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW