Stones sack Sinclair - Folkestone fine Carruthers - EXCLUSIVE MANAGER INTERVIEWS

Sunday 20th August 2006

We bring you the views of the manager's of Ramsgate, Dartford, Maidstone United, Folkestone Invicta, Sittingbourne, Chatham Town, Ashford Town and Tonbridge Angels as their sides kicked off their Ryman League campaigns yesterday.

All are EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS apart from the Ramsgate and Folkestone Invicta articles.

Looking at the Ryman League Division One South table FIVE Kent clubs are in the TOP FIVE  - after just one match.

Dartford, Dover Athletic, Sittingbourne, Cray Wanderers and Maidstone United sit proudly in the top five.


Ramsgate got their Ryman Premier League campaign off to a winning start, beating Heybridge Swifts by two goals to nil at Southwood Stadium yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney. 



Beating the Essex side, which finished runners-up in the Ryman Premier League last season, gives the Rams extra confidence going into their trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

Jim Ward’s side took the lead four minutes before the interval thanks to a powerful 20-yard volley from Ollie Schulz. But the Thanet side doubled their lead with just eleven minutes remaining when Michael Yianni’s cross found Shaun Welford in the box, who laid the ball off for veteran midfielder Mark Munday, who coolly slotted past the goalkeeper to score a rare goal.

Ramsgate have lost just 10 games in their last 75 outings in league football.

Ward was, however, pleased that his side kept a clean sheet against the Essex side.  He told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk : “First game of the season and we played against the team that came second last year, we kept them down and my 'keeper certainly didn't have sweat on his back - I think they only had one shot on goal and that was from a back pass.

”I'm really delighted, you know, especially for the team. The defensive qualities were superb, but we don't just defend there we defend all over the park.

“And the two strikes by Ollie and Mark Munday, great goals, superb goals you know, but I want to know what Munday was doing in their penalty area! It's just a great way to start the season, against quality opposition."

It’s certainly going to be an exciting season for Dartford.  Tony Burman’s side lost just one pre-season match and are sitting proudly at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table today.

A hat-trick from Brendon Cass, two from Jay May (whose returned to the club from Tonbridge Angels) and a John Farley header made it a FAN-CASS-TIC opening day for the north Kent club.

The Darts, who missed out on the Southern League Division One East play-offs by just one point last season, can stretch their lead at the top of Monday night.

Molesey, who lost 3-0 at home to Dover Athletic, visit their temporary base at Ship Lane, Grays (the home of Nationwide Conference South outfit Thurrock) on Monday night and Burman is hoping fans can make the five-mile journey through Dartford tunnel to watch the match.

The Darts can boast to having the two best wingers in Kent football.  You must feel sorry for the Burgess Hill Town’s right-back Tom Edmonds yesterday, as he was torn apart by Dave Martin for the majority of the game.

And you could sense a sigh of relief from the Hillians’ full-back when Martin was substituted - only to find Ryan Hayes was his replacement!

“I always want to try to win the first game,” Burman said in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier today.

“Sometimes the first game is the most nerve racking, but I have to say the players’ attitudes and performance was excellent.”

Burman praised strikers Cass and May as they opened their accounts in the new league.

He said: “Brendon’s there to score goals, he’s a proven goalscorer.  He got seven goals in 14 games for us last year and he’ll score a lot more goals this season as well.

“Jay’s done ever so well in the pre-season games and he’s come in and impressed not only our supporters, but his team mates as well.

“He will be a handful this year for opposing defenders and I want to try to improve him as a player.”

With the Darts charging adults £9 to watch the team this season, watching former Slade Green pair Martin and Hayes terrorise full-backs is worth the admission fee alone.

But Burman revealed his thinking having left Hayes on the substitutes bench.

“My team selection wasn’t made until quarter to two when we arrived at the ground,” he said.

“Ryan Hayes is one of the lads whose done well in pre-season and unfortunately found himself on the bench.

“Ryan was disappointed not to be in – rightly so - but he took it well and he knows his chance will come.

“He came on for 20 minutes, hit the bar and yes, he did give the right-back an extra torrid time.”

But Burman faces a challenge to keeping everyone of his squad happy.

“The lads I had on the bench took it well but they’re disappointed,” he revealed. 

“They want to be in the eleven but I want them at the club and I want to keep them happy.” He added: “We’ve got a strong bench at the moment which is nice.”

Reflecting on their victory, Burman added: “It’s just one game, yes we did play very well and we had Burgess Hill watched twice.

“It was just the attitude of the players that was fantastic yesterday and I hope it carries on.”

Burman and his squad will be getting to Thurrock’s ground earlier than usual tomorrow night to get accustomed to their temporary base before the Darts move into the best non-league stadium in Kent – and beyond.

There is talk on the Darts’ fans forum that we should know tomorrow night when the club will be moving into their new Princes Park Stadium. 

“I’ve been over to Thurrock, it’s a really nice ground, the pitch is excellent and I think the players will respond to that,” said Burman.

“We’re going in early to try to get used to the surroundings.  We’re hoping we can get a few people over there to support us.

“Being a Monday night game I think they’ll be quite a few people popping over there to see the game.  I think there will be a good crowd tomorrow night.”

Looking forward to their game against the Moles, Burman said: “It was nice to get the first win under our belts, which was nice.

“It will help us in the second game but Molesey had a couple of pens against them and had a lad sent-off and they’ll be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

“I see the game as a very difficult game for us, but we’re at home but we have to take the game to them and win.

Kingstonian, coached by former Bromley boss Stuart McIntyre, visit Ship Lane on Saturday.

“Kingstonian are one of the favourites I presume to get promoted, and will be a big test for us,” admitted Burman.

Unlucky striker James Carter will be training in four-to-six weeks time, having had his cartilage removed last Tuesday.

“We decided to have Jim back pre-season and he managed twenty minutes in some of the games,” said the manager.  “Unfortunately the knee was swelling up the next day.  He went to see a consultant and this time he recommended the cartilage come out.  He had the operation on Tuesday and hopefully it will be a successful one.”

Maidstone United, who clinched the Kent League double last season, got their Division One South campaign off to winning ways, winning 2-0 at Hastings United.

Roared on by a huge passionate following in the crowd of 721 on the east Sussex coast, the Stones won the game courtesy of strikers Mo Takalobighashi and Lynden Rowland. 

Stones gave debuts to Slovakian goalkeeper Michal Czanner (whose played for west Kent clubs Tonbridge Angels and Tunbridge Wells), left-back Kane Rice (Cambridge City) but striker Jason Batt, whose signed from local Kent County League side Bearsted, remained on the bench.

Hastings United goalkeeper Matt Bromby, whose also played for Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge Angels, played a part in both goals. Jason Barton’s shot, following Aaron Lacy’s cross, was handled by Rhys Whyborne and Wimbledon Park referee Mr John O’Brien had no option but to point to the spot. 

Bromby, who leaked five goals when he played for the Stones in their pre-season friendly at Thamesmead Town last month, dived to his left to save Takalobighashi’s poorly hit penalty. 

But the officials ordered a re-take, and the former Ramsgate striker opened his account for the new season, sending Bromby the wrong way second time around. 

Bromby, was, however, at fault for the Stones’ second goal on the hour mark.  Chesting a back pass from skipper Sean Ray, the ball was collected by Rowland outside the box, and with the passionate travelling contingent roaring him on, he raced into the penalty area, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net. 

But the day was marred with news that former Beckenham Town defender Tony Sinclair has played his last game for the club. 

“Tony Sinclair let us down last night (Friday), joint-manager Lloyd Hume revealed in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk 

“That will be the end of him at our club if I’m honest,” he insisted.  “We can’t have players let us down on a Friday night.  

“Tony Sinclair’s played his last game for the club.  We got a message, I don’t want to go into that message, that’s private, but he couldn’t make today’s game for whatever reasons.

”That’s not acceptable on a Friday night – for whatever reason, unless there was bereavement in the family or something like that – which it wasn’t!

“It is not acceptable, it lets the other 17 players down.  He hasn’t been the best trainer in pre-season; he’s missed things there. 

“We warned him and he hasn’t turned up today and that was the final straw.” 

Sinclair’s replacement Neil Miller was, however, hauled off after just 32 minutes, and Hume explained why. 

“We just threw Neil in,” he said.  “He’s an honest lad, we’d knew what he could do and after 25 minutes you could see he was off the pace. 

“I said to him “your're off the pace?” and he said “Yes, I’m struggling”, so we pulled him off for that reason. 

“But make no mistakes, Neil’s a great player.  He will be a good player as soon as he stops working away and gets back into training he’ll be back in that team and be one of our best players.” 

The Stones welcome Fleet Town – single goal winners over Leatherhead yesterday – to Bourne Park, Sittingbourne on Wednesday night. “We generally know they’re a big physical side but I’ve heard this year they’ve got rid of their big players and got loads of youngsters up from Southampton,” said Hume. 

“I expect them to be a neat, little footballing side but I know, as I’ve done it a number of years, any side that have to travel around the M25 on a Wednesday night, makes it just that little bit harder and that will bode well in our favour.”

With a new sponsor, a return home to the county town expected to follow next season, Hume pointed out their aims for this season. 

“More importantly than anything it will raise expectations on how well the team can do within the club, within the town and within the supporters,” he said. 

“We’ve always said we’ve got a team that can hold their own in the Ryman League and I think we showed that at Hastings. 

“I firmly believe we can get a top six finish, although that wasn’t our expectation at the start, and if we can get into the play-off’s or even higher than that will be fantastic for the club.” 

Ramsgate manager Jim Ward said about 13 months ago that he was looking to finish in the top six – they went on to win the league title. 

“Ramsgate have done fantastically well and if we can emulate that, that will be beyond our wildest dreams,” said Hume. 

But Hume expects to pick up points against Fleet Town (Wednesday), at home to Whyteleafe on Saturday and at Chatham Town on Bank Holiday Monday, adding: “The hardest game out of our first five games was today and we sort of highlighted that and we got a win today.

”But I don’t want to shoot myself ion the foot but I expect us to win the next couple of games - if we perform like we did today.”

The Ryman Premier League season began yesterday afternoon for Folkestone Invicta but a 1-0 defeat by Harrow Borough at the Buzzlines Stadium wasn’t the result Invicta were hoping for after a positive start.

Manager Neil Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk :“I was very disappointed really with the result but I didn’t really think our side deserved to win the game but we have thrown a point away.

"I think there was loads of effort there and we worked very hard but the quality wasn’t really there, especially in the final third”.

With former Welling striker Matt Carruthers unavailable for the match, Joe Neilson partnered Paul Jones in attack.

Cugley explained: “I was disappointed with Walid and the reason why he didn’t get selected was because he didn’t come down to training on Wednesday and he didn’t tell me.

"You have to do something about that as it’s not fair on all the other lads who did train. I know he hasn’t got a very good journey down but the others lads from Essex for example, they came down and played Monday and then they trained Wednesday.”

Invicta started the game well and created a number of chances in a match that started slightly later than the planned 3pm kick off time due to the Harrow players arriving late at the ground due to traffic problems.

Cugley said: “I thought Joe (Neilson) worked really hard up top and in the first twenty minutes we played well and it looked like we were going to get a goal.

"I think a draw would have been a fair result and that would have reflected the standard of the game to be honest.

"We have got to improve on that for our fans sake, to excite them and get them behind us”.

Harrow Borough scored the only goal of the match after Folkestone conceded a penalty in the 83rd minute, after an uncharacteristic error by sweeper Kevin Watson.

The Invicta manager remarked: “I think it was one of those pens that they were always going to give. Watto has not dealt with the situation very well and he has left his foot out and obviously the lad is going to go over it.

"I thought it was a bit of poor defending when generally we defended very well. They didn’t cause us too many problems at all – we just didn’t cause them enough problems at the other end. We have got to get more people forward and get more people in the box”.

After the first twenty minutes Folkestone had a difficulty in getting a proper hold on the game and it wasn’t until after Harrow had taken the lead when Invicta rediscovered their early attacking impetus.

“It sometimes happens in the first game of the season and not meaning to be funny, but I have been manager here for quite a long time and apprehension can creep in a bit on the first game, with people wanting to do well and get off to a good start.

"After the first quarter of an hour we didn’t seem relaxed on the ball at all and we were a bit scared of making a mistake when we should have been getting the ball down and playing, and enjoying our football”, said Cugley.

His assistant manager Mark Patterson was not at the match yesterday as he is away on holiday for a couple of weeks – a holiday already booked before he came to the Buzzlines Stadium back in March this year.

Cugley said: “Well lucky enough for him he was away yesterday!”

Newly promoted youngster from the reserves Ben Sly came on in the latter period of the second half for James Everitt. “Ben done well yesterday and we hope he will come through and progress wel," said Cugley.

"Like the Everitts have come through, like Dryden came through and others, you are giving them a taste and you hope they remain dedicated and work hard. If they (Sly and Liam Friend) can keep working at their game who knows how far they could go.

“If Ben and Liam can get physically stronger, for this League especially as there are some solid lads about, it will really benefit them. I’ve told them to get in the gym and build their upper bodies up as they can be good players for Folkestone.

"For all of our players, even at this level; Monday and Wednesday night training, staying in on Friday and travelling away Saturday – and for what money they get it is a lot of hours and dedication when your mates are going out and stuff, and you’ve got to push yourself along.

"We have had some good players coming through and we need them and who are a credit to our youth system, showing it does work”.

Aside from experienced defender Paul Lamb who is suspended for two more matches and striker Rob Knott who is likely to be out for two to three weeks with a knee injury, Invicta take a full squad up to Essex when they play Billericay Town on Tuesday night.

“I want us to be more positive against Billericay and not so apprehensive in our play. I want us to be more attacking and see if we can go there and win the game rather than going just for a draw," said Cugley.

The Invicta boss should have an added bonus on Tuesday night with the return of lively forward Matt Carruthers to his squad.

He said: “I think he is a Conference standard player and I always have. He gives us something extra; he is very fit, very quick and likely to get you a goal and obviously if he is not in your side you will miss him.

"We have got to try and hurt teams further up the field and hopefully that is what Matt and Walid will do”.

Meanwhile, the Cheriton Road club issued an official statement explaining that they've fined Carruthers after the former Dover Athletic striker has been absent from the club.

It said: "Folkestone Invicta Football Club announce that forward Matt Carruthers has been absent from the Football Club this week and will be fined for his absence.

"Matt was unavailable this week due to personal reasons. He spoke with manager Neil Cugley yesterday and both parties hope that the issues have been resolved and that this will be the end of the matter.

"The Chairman has stated the club will be standing firmly by Matt and will do everything they can to help him through this time.

"Matt should be in Neil’s squad for the forthcoming match against Billericay Town on Tuesday night. He will continue to play, and play well for Folkestone Invicta Football Club."

Sittingbourne travel to new boys Horsham YMCA on Wednesday night full of confidence, having sent another new side Godalming Town packing on Saturday.

The Wey Court side will face a tough season in the Ryman League Division One South if they perform like they did at Bourne Park. 

They gifted the north Kent side an early lead courtesy of an own goal from Glen Stanley, who put through his own net from Jon Neal’s cross. 

Former Lordswood striker Andy Doerr opened his account for his new side after 17 minutes and Neal added a third on the stroke of half time. 

But Brickies boss Steve Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk his side should have won by six goals – at least. 

“To be perfectly honest we haven’t played well as we done during the pre-season,” he said. 

“I think we played quite solid and a little bit more luck in front of goal it could have been six or seven. 

“But I’ll take three points from three points at the moment, but we take one game as it comes.  I’m not getting carried away with it as it’s the first game.” 

The Welshman, whose side travel to Leatherhead on Saturday before they welcome Dover Athletic to Bourne Park on Bank Holiday Monday, praised goalkeeper Steve Williams. 

“I think certain players make a difference to the team and Steve Williams in goal, although he had one shot to save all game, it’s his presence and his commanding of the area and his back four, helps us. 

“Last season he wasn’t fit at all as he didn’t do a pre-season, but he’s done one this year and he’s really fit.  He’s been outstanding really.” 

But Lovell is expecting a reaction from the west Sussex side, after they lost 2-0 at Cray Wanderers, who won the game from goals from Gay Abbott and new signing Lewis Wood. 

“They will be looking to get a win under their belts for their first home game and it will be a tough game,” admitted Lovell. 

But he admitted crowds will stock flocking to Bourne Park, if his side put on performances like this. 

“After last year there will be some pessimism from the supporters but hopefully they’d come back if they keep on winning,” he said after just 168 turned out to see their opening game. 

Lovell is, however, sweating on the fitness of Lee Hockey (dead leg) and Mitchell Sherwood (groin) for their midweek trip to Goring’s Mead. 

“Hopefully we can go into the Dover game with three good games under our belt and hopefully it’s a very good crowd and a very good game on Bank Holiday Monday,” he said.


Phil Miles was impressed with visitors Croydon Athletic, as his Chatham Town  side opened their Ryman League Division One South campaign with a draw at Maidstone Road.  

Luke Harvey continued his impressive pre-season form to give the Medway side a point in the 1-1 draw. 

“I thought the result was a fair result,” Miles admitted to www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier  today.  “I don’t think either team did more than the other to win the game. 

“I felt they were a really good side.  They had five or six good experienced players, but we matched them really well.  I was pleased with the performance.” 

Miles who took over from Steve Binks in the Maidstone Road hot-seat, being promoted from his number two role, heaped praise on his key men. 

“Luke Harvey scored six in pre-season and he scored yesterday,” he said.  “Well deserved, he’s worked hard in pre-season and he’s improving his game every week and he took his goal really well.  I’m really pleased with Luke at the moment.” 

Chatham will be looking to chalk up some victories when they travel to Corinthian Casuals (who drew 2-2 at Dulwich Hamlet) on Tuesday and Godalming Town on Saturday – two clubs who won’t be in the top half of the table. 

“To be fair I’m looking for six points in the next two games,” revealed Miles.  “On paper Corinthian Casuals have struggled in the last couple years and Sittingbourne, who we are on a par with, beat Godalming 3-0 quite comfortably. 

“Yes, on paper we’re looking to pick up six points, which I’d be extremely happy with. 

“But with people been involved with football, form doesn’t always go to plan,” he warned.  “If we approach both games with the same attitude and professionalism as we did yesterday – I’m quietly confident. 

“Going into the Maidstone game on Bank Holiday Monday we should be full of confidence.  On paper Maidstone would be stronger but we would be looking to give them a run for their money.” 

But Miles knows what to say to his team if they end up with egg on their faces in the next seven days. 

“Pretty much what I would say if we were winning,” he said.  “We need the commitment, passion and desire and the ability will come through. 

“We’ve got some good young players with ability, but obviously football is about all aspects.  The commitment, passion and desire and the will to win and if we was to have a couple of bad results, I’ll just be asking for 110%. 

“But I’m confident in the team’s ability to give anyone in this league a good game. 

“People say Croydon Athletic will be there and there abouts at the end of the season but looking at them yesterday they possible could be – but there’s a long way to go.” 

Youngster Tom Davey, who replaced Ross Finn (twisted knee) at half-time yesterday, will make his first start of the new season for their trip to Tolworth. 

Finn is expected to be out of action for “two-weeks minimum” but Miles revealed he’s the first Kent manager to put in a seven-day approach for someone. 

He said: “I’m still looking to get new faces on board in certain positions but we’re not strong enough in a couple of positions.  Over the next four to six weeks a couple of new faces might come. 

“I’ve put in seven-days for someone.  But in the next six weeks we should be full strength – if all goes to plan. 

Ashford Town joint-manager John Cumberbatch has admitted former Maidstone United and Hythe Town striker Richard Sinden played his best game for the club yesterday. 

The striker scored the Nuts & Bolts goal at Kingstonian yesterday after coming off the bench at half time. 

Kingstonian, who had goalkeeper Luke Garrard sent-off for handballing Joby Thorogood’s shot outside the area in the 36th minute, received a huge slice of luck with their winning goal with twelve minutes remaining. 

Ashford goalkeeper Simon Overland, whose on a season long loan from Nationwide Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge saved well from Dean Lodge only to see the ball crash past him off Scott Corbett. 

Kingstonian opened the scoring – against the run of play – on the stroke of half time when debutant Daniel Morris slid the ball under Overland’s body after running onto Scott Smith’s through ball. 

But when Thorogood opened his account for the new season, it was a goal the Kent side deserved as they dominated the second half, before falling to that late sucker punch. 

But Cumberbatch today told www.kentishfootball.co.uk  that he was pleased with the performance of his side – especially Sinden. 

“We weren’t robbed as such but we were very unlucky,” he said.  “The sending off did them a big favour because we’d rather be one-nil up against eleven than against ten-men. 

“When their goalkeeper was sent off we groaned from the bench because ten-men are always inspired. 

“But we were quite pleased with the way we played second half because we did dominate and with three men up front, Richard Sinden, who came on, was inspired.”

After striking the inside the post, Sinden then scored the 64th minute leveller before missing a sitter later. 

“Apart from that his overall play was superb,” highlighted Cumberbatch.  “He played very well.  The time he was on the pitch I would say he was our best player. 

“For me personally, yes, it was his best performance in an Ashford shirt.” 

H
omelands is the venue for the first Kent derby of the season on Tuesday night when Cray Wanderers, fresh from their 2-0 win over Horsham YMCA, visit.

But star midfielder Anthony Allman, who suffered recurrence of a hamstring injury he picked up in pre-season, is expected to be ruled out for “at least two weeks”. 

“What we will expect is Cray will be stronger than Kingstonian," admitted Cumberbatch.  “But we should be able to cope with them being a quick side.” 

But the joint-boss revealed there would be changes for the Kent clash against Ian Jenkins’ entertaining side. 

“We will certainly have changes on Tuesday because there were one or two positions that we already felt we’d be changing on Tuesday because of the nature of the two opposing sides.” 

But Cumberbatch did reveal Sinden will  “certainly” be starting his first league game of the season. 

“What we saw in the second 45 minutes on Saturday has started baring fruits from Richard’s hard work in training.

Cumberbatch will be travelling to Ship Lane, Grays on Monday night to watch Dartford play Molesey to “get a few pointers” on the Surrey side, who visit The Homelands on Saturday. 

Signs are already good that Ashford Town will enjoy a much better campaign than the last two. 

“There would be something very wrong (if we are struggling), with the new signings that we’ve made,” said Cumberbatch. 

“There are obviously quite a few things to iron out but I’m sure that’s the same at most clubs at our level right up to the Premiership at this stage of the season. 

“But due to financial reasons the 20-man squad will have to be cut down to eighteen.” 

A second choice goalkeeper is, however, on Cumberbatch’s shopping list. 

Tony Dolby warns of a Worthing reaction when the west Sussex side visit the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Tuesday night. 

Margate sent Worthing to the foot of the Ryman Premier League table following their 5-2 win yesterday, courtesy of Danny Hockton’s hat-trick, and a goal apiece from player-boss Robin Trott, who turned 32 last week, and former Welling United striker James Pinnock.

But the Tonbridge Angels’ player-manager was pleased that his side came away from Hendon with all three points. 

Former Croydon Athletic striker Andy Martin scored the decisive goal after just eleven minutes into their Ryman Premier League return. 

Steve Aris’ clearance deceived Wayne O’Sullivan and it left Martin in space around the back of the defence. 

He took a touch and sent a shot just inside Richard Wilmot’s near post. 

“Three points, clean sheet away from home, I couldn’t have asked for any more to be honest,” Dolby told www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier today. 

Speaking about their opponents, Dolby said: “I mean they had a little bit of pace.  In difficult conditions, the pitch and the wind played their part they were committed to the cause. 

“They obviously wanted to impress in their first game of the season but we did enough to win the three points.  We deserved it thoroughly to be honest.” 

But Dolby admitted not many teams will get much change from Margate this season, adding: “Margate are a very good side with lots of experience etc so obviously they are going to be a strong side to play against. 

“I don’t think Worthing should be too despondent to lose against them and I’m sure they will be looking to bounce back at our place on Tuesday night. 

“But we are looking to get off to a winning start at home and six points out of two games will be great if we can achieve it.” 

Dolby praised his back four for notching up their first clean sheet of the season. 

“I think the back four played extremely well,” he said.  “They were very tight and Hendon had no chances. 

“We played well as a team, the back four keeping a clean sheet was an achievement. 

“We bossed the game and didn’t look troubled.  It was a team performance than a team of individuals.” 

Dolby revealed he could call upon the services of Wade Falana this season, as the target man is doing to “knowledge” to become a London taxi driver. 

“He’s not fully committed to the cause this season as he’s doing his knowledge but I’m sure we’ll see him at some stage this season,” he said. 

Former Tooting & Mitcham United midfielder Scott Kinch is available for selection for Saturday’s home clash against Carshalton Athletic following his three-match suspension he picked up for being sent-off for the Terrors in the Angels’ 2-0 play-off semi-final win. 

But Scott Gooding (hamstring) and Drew Watkins (Achilles) will have fitness tests before the Angels’ first home test of the new season on Tuesday night. 

Dolby wants a crowd of 400 to cheer on his side against Worthing, adding: "Our fans are fantastic anyway and I’m sure they will be making lots of noise and hopefully we can deliver for them.”