12thfeb05

Last throw of the dice for Angels

TONBRIDGE Angels player-boss Tony Dolby has admitted he is prepared to gamble in a bid to beat the drop from the Ryman Premier League, writes Jez Durrant.

This week the club brought in proven striker Richard Brady as Tonbridge are preparing for one last throw of the dice to save their league status.

Brady, who was at QPR, has signed from Nationwide Conference South side Eastbourne Borough but is better known for his prolific form with Fisher Athletic.

Discussions were also held this week to bring in a midfielder ahead of today's home game with FA Cup heroes Yeading at the Avavan Longmead Stadium.

Dolby told the Kent & Sussex Courier that he was confident his side could avoid relegation if he could capture the right signings.

He added: "We are trying to make a few signings and doing what we have to do to survive.  Bringing in more quality means we may have to get rid of a couple of players to bring in one.

"This is the last roll of the dice and we will have to be lucky with injuries.

"I still believe that if we get the players we want, then we can stay up.  I am looking to improve the spine of the team. If Richard Brady can start knocking in the goals, we haven't been doing that badly around the rest of the park."

Club chairman Paul Dainty echoed this view, saying: "We have to be ruthless as this could be our last chance."

Tonbridge suffered another defeat on Saturday when in-form Chelmsford took all three points in a 2-1 result.  

Two early goals in the second half deflated Tonbridge's hopes and there was little consolation from Jay May's late strike.

Dolby said lapses in concentration cost his side dearly, adding: "I thought we had the better of it in the first half and played the better football and looked more comfortable.

"However, a ten minute lapse of concentration in the second half cost us the game.  Our mistakes were punished and a few players did not perform."

League leaders Yeading are the visitors to Longmead today and Dolby is confident his side can start their ascent up the table with three home points.

He said: "This is as good a time as any to play them as they have suffered a few set-backs recently.  They will have quality players on show but this is the best time to play them on our pitch and in front of our support."


Tonbridge Angels v Yeading
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 12th February 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Avavan Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge