We're in control of our own destiny, says play-off chasing Warrilow - EXCLUSIVE

TOMMY WARRILOW has told new signing Simon Glover, 26, that he has to fight to get into his play-off chasing team, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Tonbridge Angels boss has signed the versatile Glover on a free-transfer from Blue Square South outfit Bromley.

Glover, who turned his back on Ryman League Division One South club Ashford Town last July to move to Hayes Lane, has played for a number of Kent clubs and has probably played in every outfield position on the pitch.

And that is one of the reasons why Warrilow has persuaded Glover to sign for the Angels.

Glover, son of the late John Glover, was originally on the books at Wycombe Wanderers before joining Ashford Town back in 2001.

He went on to have spells with Dover Athletic, Folkestone Invicta and Heybridge Swifts before returning to Ashford last season from where he signed for Bromley in July 2007.

Warrilow, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, says the Angels have “done well to get him.”

“I’ve known Simon a long time,” he recalled. “I played with his dad John at Gravesend & Northfleet and Simon, who was a young boy, used to come training.

“I know what club#s he’s been at and what he can do and he can tick boxes everywhere (playing in different positions on the pitch).

“We’ve beat off competition from two Conference South clubs to sign him and with the deadline coming up next week, I’ve always wanted to bring more in.

“I’m happy with what we’ve got, with everyone to come back from injury, we’re not looking in bad shape at the moment.”

Glover has signed a contract until the end of next season, with an option to extend the deal after that has elapsed.

Warrilow put his players through their paces on Saturday morning as their game with Hendon was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Longmead Stadium.

“We had the boys in training on Saturday morning and give them a good blow out and carry on tomorrow where we’ve been leading off lately.”

Warrilow is, however, relishing taking his side to his former club, Horsham, tomorrow.

Despite their inactivity, the Angels have slipped down to ninth place in the Ryman Premier League table - just four points behind the Hornets, who occupy the fifth and last play-off spot.

“We’re in control of our own destiny and that’s what I said to the boys last week,” said Warrilow.

“If we win our own games we’re in control of our destiny.

“We’ve got a few hard games coming up but there’s no easy games in this league.”

The Angels have seven league games remaining and are one of a number of clubs in this crazy league that are capable of extending their campaign into May.

Horsham took advantage of the Angels being without their rock at the back, John Beales, to secure a 5-1 win over Warrliow’s men on Boxing Day - the first meeting against his former club.

“Football’s a cruel game, something like that would have happened,” recalled Warrilow. “Horsham were well organised and the better team on the day but being my ex-team, football is a way of being cruel sometimes.

“But we’ve got to make sure we go there and have a good performance and take it onto Chelmsford.”

Warrilow’s men were the first team to collect a point at Melbourne Park earlier on in the season and the champions-elect, Essex giants needed Dean Palmer’s strike three minutes from time to defeat Maidstone United 1-0 yesterday.

“My money was on them (to win the league) from the off as they’re so strong,” said Warrilow. “The league doesn’t lie after 42 games. They’re a good team but we were the first team to take points off them (at home) this year and we’ll take heart of that.

“We’re still the inform team over the last six games (winning them all) and we’ve got to stop giving sloppy goals away. I can count of one hand the amount of well worked goals (teams have scored against us).

“The vibe around the club is positive, hopefully the crowds will start to go up and there’s no reason why we can’t get into the play-off spots.”

Carl Rook, who would have completed his suspension had yesterday’s game with Hendon gone ahead, is suspended for the game against his former club tomorrow.

The Angels record signing should be fit to face Chelmsford City at Longmead Stadium next Saturday, as he’s been suffering with a combination of a groin problem and a dead leg.

But the Angels boss said he’s got players such as Ray Powell, Akwasi Edusei and Fraser Logan to lead the line at Queen Street. Glover, meanwhile, is expected to start the game on the bench.

“Everyone’s back looking to get back in the side and I said to Simon he won’t just come in and get a shirt and he understands that,” revealed Warrilow.

Glover, Rook, right-back Phil Starkey and veteran striker Micky Collins are also playing in a reserve team game on Tuesday night.

And Warrilow added: “Starkey got 85 minutes with the reserves on Saturday, which is a plus, so he’s coming back into contention as well. All the injuries are hopefully healing or heeled.

But the Angels manager was unable to entice Jamie Cade back to spend a second month on loan from Blue Square South outfit Lewes.

“Only loss was Jamie Cade,” he said. “He’s gone back to Lewes. It doesn’t look like he’s coming back but we’ve got Carl back. I was looking to bring in another forward, we’ve got Razor (Ray Powell), Edusei, Rookie and Fraser (Logan), who really is a wide player.

“Fraser can play at left-back, left-wing, I’m sure he can go in midfield with the runs he does. Again he’s a massive part of the squad with his versatility.”

With Tonbridge Angels on 52 points, Warrilow can’t predict how many points his side must collect from the 21 available to them to secure a place in the promotion play-off’s.

He said: “Everyone says 50, that’s gone, to stay up. The target changes every week.

“Hand on heart, I don’t know how many it takes for the play-offs, we’re playing for the maximum of 21 points. I wouldn’t like to guess! If anyone can tell me…?

“It’s all if’s and but’s. If we carry on our unbeaten run, I know we’ll be in there, we’ve still got to play some top sides.”

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

Horsham v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Easter Monday, 24^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Atspeed Stadium, Queen Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5AD