We're lucky to be in the hat, admits Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Steve McKimm admits to feeling grateful for a second chance in The FA Trophy.

The Angels welcome Phoenix Sports to Longmead Stadium on Tuesday night to contest a First Qualifying Round Replay after escaping from Barnehurst with a 1-1 draw.

Phoenix Sports, who went into Saturday’s game sitting in ninth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, were the better side and they took a lead after 30 minutes through Adem Ramadan’s fine strike following a sublime through ball from Helge Orome.

But sixth-placed Ryman Premier Leaguers Tonbridge Angels grabbed an equaliser through central defender Sonny Miles’ acrobatic overhead kick which looped into the top far corner of the net after 55 minutes.

Phoenix Sports should be looking forward to hosting Evo-Stik Southern Premier League outfit Cirencester Town on 14 November had striker Ricky Freeman buried a great chance instead of trying to walk the ball in and allowing James Folkes to clear the ball off the line.

“We’re lucky to be in the hat,” admitted McKimm, who named himself on the bench as an unused substitute at the weekend.

“They could have won it! They had loads of chances, we were poor.  I could stand up and make excuses but I won’t. We were poor and if any of my teams ever serve that up again, they’ll be wholesale changes but I’ve got faith in them that they’re honest enough lads that they won’t let that happen again!

“I’m being honest, they probably deserved to beat us on Saturday’s performance, so we live to fight another day and that’s a good thing about football. Sometimes you get second chances.

“My focus is on getting through in the Cup now because after that performance I think we had 80% of the crowd there again, who have followed us really well and we served that!

“I’m not taking nothing away from Phoenix Sports. I thought they worked for their manager very, very well.  They didn’t stop and they should’ve won it – they didn’t 

“They’ve given us a second chance so we’ll play at home and I can assure the fans that we’ll play a lot better than we did on Saturday.”

Miles is expected to sit out on Tuesday night after being sent to Maidstone hospital on Saturday after being stretchered off during the second half on Saturday, with an ankle injury.

Miles said: “Nothing broken and hopefully just a bit of ligament damage. You know me mate, won’t keep me out for long.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels  v  Phoenix Sports
The FA Trophy First Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 3^rd November 2015
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF