Kentish Football 
Dons visit will attract our record crowd of 2,000, predicts Angels chairman - EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday 09th January 2008
Tonbridge Angels prepare for their THIRD biggest game of the season for the visit of AFC Wimbledon in the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.The last two remaining Ryman Premier League clubs clash at the Betterview Longmead Stadium and Angels chairman Nick Sullivan would be disappointed if the match doesn’t attract a record breaking crowd of over 2,000.
Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, Mr Sullivan said: “I’d be disappointed if there’s not 2,000 fans at the game on Saturday.
“Our fans will probably be out numbered but they’ll more than make up for that with noise.
“I think people fear AFC Wimbledon because they turn their away games into home games purely because of the size of their following.”
Who could forget those two epic matches against non-league giants Oxford Untied in the last round?
After holding the Blue Square Premier side to a goal-less draw at the Kassam Stadium – with the Angels support outsinging the home fans – it got even better three days later.
Hamid Barr scored THAT goal in the epic replay to knock the former Football League club out, despite finishing the game with nine men as Scott Kinch and Barr picked up silly second yellows at the death.
AFC Wimbledon, however, arrive in Kent on an eight game unbeaten run, winning their last five.
The Angels were weakened against Oxford, it’s even worse for manager Tommy Warrilow and he knows that his warriors need to emulate their heroics in the last round to seal a place in the last sixteen.
Striker Carl Rook, a big-money transfer from Horsham, striker Akwasi Edusei (East Thurrock United), winger John Westcott (Horsham) and striker Luke Fontana (Carshalton Athletic) are cup-tied, whilst midfielder Kinch and the versatile Robbie Kember are suspended.
But versatile 20-year-old Phil Starkey has been given permission to play by Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United, having joined on loan earlier in the week, making his debut in the Angels 4-2 extra time win over Horsham YMCA in the Ryman League Cup.
The Dons are clear favourites for the tie, which sees their record signing, striker Jon Main cup-tied, having played in the competition for Tonbridge Angels earlier in the season.
The 26-year-old hit-man has scored four goals for his new side, adding to the twenty that he scored for the Angels before his switch in November.
But Tonbridge Angels relish the underdog tag and if last weekend’s FA Cup third round ties are anything to go by, Warrilow’s warriors have a chance.
When asked how he rates his club’s chances of winning, Sullivan, who played in goal for Arsenal during his playing days, replied: “As good as theirs. We drew with them earlier in the season didn’t we? - And should have beaten them in the end.
“To be perfectly honest we’ve got to look at it like the Oxford games. We’ve got players suspended and cup-tied, the starting eleven will be very strong and again we’re the underdogs.
“It’s a one-off. It’s a cup game isn’t it? It’s very much all on the day. Tommy will have his game plan and we’ll just go for it.
“I think for the glamour, the Oxford game was the game. AFC are probably high profile for what they stand for, what they were and what they are.
“Saturday’s game is the biggest game because it’s the next one and if you win that we’re in the last sixteen of the Trophy.
“And I think we’re the lowest ranked side left in.”
AFC Wimbledon favourites? “Of course they are,” Mr Sullivan replied.
“But we’ve had good success against them in the last two seasons. We beat them away from home last season and we drew with them at home earlier in the season.
And he added: “It is what your in football for, the big games. I’d rather be playing in front of a big noisy crowd. We’re looking to get into the last sixteen of the FA Trophy.”
Mr Sullivan would like the Angels to win at the first attempt so next Tuesday night they’ll be welcoming their high-flying Kentish rivals Ramsgate in their bid to climb out of the drop zone – instead of playing a replay at Kingsmeadow.
He said: “I want to beat them at home. I want to play Jim (Ward) on Tuesday night – we need some league points.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, turnstiles will open at 1pm and stewards and police will control inside – and outside – the ground.
Admission prices: £9 (adults) £5 (concessions) £3 (concessions)
www.kentishfootball.co.uk continues the build up to the game later in the week with Tommy Warrilow’s thoughts on the game.
We will bring you all the reaction from the game during the weekend.
STAT ATTACK
Tonbridge Angels' record attendance is 1,853 - the Ryman League Division One South play-off final - against Dover Athletic on Saturday, 6th May 2006.
Goals from Jon Main, Fraser Logan and Wade Falana sealed a 3-2 win for the Angels.
Visit Tonbridge Angels websites:
www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum
FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round
Saturday 12th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd