We just want to keep our winning run going, says Alex O'Brien

Friday 28th January 2011

TONBRIDGE ANGELS’ assistant manager Alex O’Brien says his players have confidence to stretch their run to six successive wins when resilient Lowestfoft Town visit Longmead Stadium tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels have beaten Folkestone Invicta, Bury Town, Hendon, Billericay Town and Tooting & Mitcham United and will leapfrog over the Suffolk side in the Ryman Premier League table with a win tomorrow.

Tommy Warrilow’s side are now sixth in the table with 40 points from 22 games - but all seemed lost earlier in the season, as O’Brien pointed out.

“Yes, we’re doing ok,” he said. “We’ve tried to keep the run going and that’s what we’ll look to do. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing or what sort of Cup or league, or whatever. We’ve set our stall out to win a game of football and we’re never happy with a point. We want three points all the time and we’ll be exactly the same going into Saturday.”

Lowestoft came away from Hayes Lane with a 1-0 win over Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night and Wands boss Ian Jenkins wasn’t impressed with his opponents, who have only conceded nine goals in 20 league games.

He said: “It was frustrating that we took so long to really get going, but they had something to do what that as well as they had something to hold onto especially scoring just after half time – they really had something to hold onto to! And that’s what they did – the players that they brought on very, very defensive sort of players.

“I know that we were the only team out there playing football the way it should be played – we got it down on the deck and moved it around passing the ball whilst as soon as they got hold of it and just lumped it forward and support – and if that’s the way they play then good luck to them if that’s the way they want to do it. But I’ll stick with the way that we play thank you very much as I like my teams to play the game as it should be played!”

In response, O’Brien said: “A lot of people talk about Lowestoft and say how many goals they’ve let in.

“Pre-season we knew they was going to be a force. A lot of people have spoke about them and said they’ve got this, that and the other.

“Whether you’ve got a million of pounds to spend or you have ten bob to spend it’s all about getting something out of the game.

“League titles are not won on one specific game. It’s won over the 40 odd games and that’s how we look at things, ticking the boxes, ticking each game as it comes.

“We just want to keep going and get nice and confident, keep playing right and keep eliminating mistakes and if we get three points, fantastic.”

Tonbridge travel to Ashford to lock horns with arch-rivals Maidstone United on Tuesday night and looking forward to the game, O’Brien added: “ That’s another big game for us, a massive Kent derby. It’s got to a point now that every single game is very important.

“Our first two months people were writing us off and calling for our heads and it just shows you in football a week or a game changes the tide.”

The club unveiled today the return of winger Fraser Logan, who defected to Hastings United after regaining his fitness from a lengthy injury.

“To be honest, Fraser’s Tonbridge through and through and pre-season he had people in his head and offering him this, that and the other and he went away wanting to come back,” said O’Brien.

“We were in a nice position where things were going ok for us and we’re working well. With Rory Hill choosing to leave (for Lewes) that opens up a little gap and it’s time for Fraser to come back.”

When Hastings played Cray Wanderers a few weeks ago, Logan was unsuccessfully deployed up front, but O’Brien would like to see the flying Scotsman playing in his natural position, out on the left wing.

“Tom’s been quoted before by saying we actually like players who can cover a range (of positions) as the squad is not huge and if people need to drop into different positions they can adapt and get on with it,” added O’Briwn.

“Fraser is very similar, to me he’s an out and out wide man. He runs at people and delivers good balls and scores goals. I’ve seen him play up front a couple of times and he does a good job there so it’s like an extra added bonus with him to be fair.

“Ask me, personally Fraser is a wide man but he bring with him the opportunity to also play up front.”

O’Brien says his side will be up-for-it against second-from-bottom Maidstone United next Tuesday at Homelands Stadium.

“They’re obviously looking to do things because Jay Saunders has gone there and he can walk into any side. They want to head in the right direction. They had a bit of a slow start but I’m sure they will be up for the fight and looking for any win they can get, like us.

“We’ve got Maidstone, who are struggling, but this is a Kent derby where you need that fire in your belly every single game and I’m sure that’s what the lads are going to bring.”

Goals from Danny Harris and Charlie Sheringham sent Dartford through to the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup, with a 2-0 win over the Angels at Princes Park in midweek.

O’Brien, who captained the Darts to the Ryman League Division One North title under Tony Burman said: “It’s always nice to go back and see friendly faces and have a chat with Tony, Moes (Steve Moseley) and Skip (Paul Sawyer) and see some of the boys there.

“Once the whistle blows you want to win the game and we had opportunities to do that.

“Tony has a good side there and it makes me laugh when he’s getting bits of bad press about his team and this, that and the other.

“They’ve had two fantastic Cup runs, they’re in a fantastic league football wise and everything’s going well. They’ve got a fantastic ground with a good squad of players. Everything’s rosy in the garden and I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

It’s Tonbridge’s ambition to join Dartford in Blue Square Bet South next season and O’Brien says his side showed on Tuesday night that they’re capable of competing in that league.

“I don’t think we’re a million miles away to be honest, especially for 60 minutes, I thought we coped really well,” he said.

“It’s the same as we played Welling and the same when we played Bromley. We’re not that far away. It’s just doing it on a consistent basis. Those sides are in that league because they’re consistent on what they do. They’re in that league as they’ve won this league.

“At the minute we’re trying to make that step, that’s our aim.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels' website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Lowestoft Town

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 29th January 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW