Angels aim to bounce back following disappointing Trophy exit

NOW THAT their FA Trophy dream is over, Tonbridge Angels must now start picking up points in a bid to climb out of the Ryman Premier League drop zone - starting with the visit of high-flying Ramsgate on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney

A disappointing display in front of the club’s record attendance of 2,281 saw the Angels lose the second round tie 4-0 at home to their league rivals AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and now all focus turns to the league.

Although Tommy Warrilow’s men are still involved in the Ryman League Cup and Kent Senior Cup at this stage of the season, maintaining their status in the premier division is high on the agenda.

Warrilow doesn’t want his side to suffer a cup hangover against a Ramsgate side that defeated second placed side Hendon 2-1 at Southwood Stadium to remain in fifth place - the final play-off spot.

“There’s no easy games in this league but every time we’ve had a hiccup we’ve actually bounced back,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their Trophy exit.

“We done it at Hastings, Chelmsford and it’s important that we don’t panic and bounce back against Ramsgate.

“It’s going to be very hard, they’re an awkward team to play against.”

At least Warrilow has the luxury of recalling big-money signing, striker Carl Rook, winger John Westcott and strikers Akwasi Edusei and Luke Fontana into his squad to face Jim Ward’s high-flyers as they were all cup-tied at the weekend, whilst midfield rock, Scott Kinch has completed his one-match ban.

But skipper Ray Powell, whose been bravely playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks goes into hospital for a hernia operation and will be on the sidelines for around six weeks.

“I don’t like losing any game, I’m not happy that we’ve lost 4-0 but there was two odd thousand people here. The club has earnt some money - it’s important that we lift the boys,” added the former Horsham assistant manager.

“The most important thing now, we’ve got to focus on the league. We’ve got to start climbing up and getting our shape just so people can see there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We’re in the League Cup, Kent Cup, we’re still trying to hang on in there and have a great day out with a Cup final at the end of the season but most importantly now and crucially we’ve got to (stay up).”

Richard Harris, meanwhile, now feels that his team-mates must stop making crucial mistakes during games.

The 27-year-old, who partnered Powell up front on Saturday, said: “It has been a fantastic run for the club. Hopefully we’ve got a bit of revenue and some money but a massive disappointment today’s game.

“I think 4-0, the result says it all but we didn’t play too bad. We had a few chances, didn’t go in and just simple mistakes.

“I think they scored, one of their goals was something they created, I think three mistakes were by us and we’ve been punished for it really.”

Harris revealed that he, Powell and Hamid Barr had to coax some nervous team-mates in the dressing room before the kick-off, which was delayed for fifteen minutes due to congestion at the turnstiles.

He said: “Some of the boys it was going to be a big game, they were looking outside and seeing the crowd but the bigger players in our team, myself, Razor and Hamid we’re trying to get around the boys and say “it’s just another game.”

“There’s not many teams non-league and many chances in life in football now you’re going to play against a club that’s this big.”

But Harris insists that the west Kent club will climb away from the relegation zone.

He said: “We’re definitely going to be safe. We said in the changing room we can all concentrate now on the league, pulling together and getting up that league.

“It’s easily done, you’ve seen some of those teams that are actually up there. I don’t feel we’ve been beat by a really, really decent team. It’s been individual mistakes and you pull a run of four wins together and we’re top six again.

“The boys are disappointed but they’ll bounce back and climb back up that league.”

Subject to internet connection, www.kentishfootball.co.uk aims to bring LIVE SCORE UPDATES from this match.

Visit club websites:

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 15^th January 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW