Getting Jay May at this late stage of the season is a massive bonus, says Warrilow

Sunday 04th April 2010

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says the loan signing of striker Jay May signals his intent of clinching promotion via the play-off’s, writes Stephen McCartney.

Warrilow, who had sold striker Carl Rook to Dartford in January, has persuaded Darts boss Tony Burman to lend him Adam Burchell and May returns to Longmead Stadium for the remainder of the season and is expected to make his second debut for the club for the visit of in-form Margate on Easter Monday.

“People forget, the lads only 24-year-old,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I said to him, he’s so young, he’s only had so many clubs as it didn’t work out at Bromley and he’s been loaned out to a few. He’s just gone back to Dartford, not had a bit of luck with injuries.

“We’ve brought him in to give us some firepower up front. To get someone of Jay’s quality at this late stage before the deadline is a massive boost and I hope it sends the right signals out to everybody.

“We’ve got a big cloud over our head with Burch’s ban as we’re not sure when that’s going to kick in.

“It’s an area I’m trying to address and to come up with someone of Jay’s calibre at this late stage is a massive bonus. He’s a proven player, who caused a stir with a move to Bromley.

“He’s been at Tonbridge before, but he was a young lad then and he’s gone away and made himself a much better player and hopefully we’ll help him as much as he helps us.”

Margate stretched their unbeaten run to eight games at the weekend with a 1-1 draw against basement side Bognor Regis Town at Hartsdown Park.

The Thanet side remain one place above the Ryman Premier League relegation zone but their fortunes have changed under their third manager of the season - Iain O’Connell.

“We played them and it was his first game that night,” Warrilow said of the 3-0 win at Hartsdown Park.

“But the players he’s brought in, it’s no surprise they’re up there (above the relegation zone) as on paper they’re a very good side.

“Whether we’re playing Margate or Dartford, who are top of the league, you’re not going to get any easy games.

“Margate have hit a purple patch as well and it’s going to be an interesting local derby.

“No-one can knock what we’re doing at the moment. We’ve not lost in ten and that’s all you can ask.”

Warrilow revealed that central defender, Nick Davis, who he signed in the close season, is set to make his long-awaited debut for the club on Thursday night.

Warrilow has been carefully playing Davis in reserve team games and sees Kent Senior Cup games as gradual progress.

Sittingbourne visit Longmead Stadium on Thursday night and if the Angels knock out the Ryman League Division One South side, then Davis can expect to turn out against Cray Wanderers in the semi-finals at Hayes Lane on Tuesday, 13th April, too.

“We’re hoping a couple of boys that have been out for quite a while should be coming back to full fitness soon, including Marc Cumberbatch,” revealed the Angels boss.

“But Fraser Logan has had a reaction to his injury and he’s got to go back in for some minor surgery, so we won’t be seeing Fraser again this year.

“Nick Davis has had a couple of run outs with the reserves. I’d be lying if I wasn’t going to give him a run out against Sittingbourne and see how he is with that.”

“If we beat Sittingbourne there’s a game against Cray. It could work out nicely for Nick. I’m not going to push the boy. It’s similar to Fraser, it’s not the same injury. He’s been out for such a long time it would be stupid to rush him back. I’ve known him a long time, he’s got nothing to prove to me.

“I want him fit and raring to go. If it’s not this year, I’ll be sitting down with him to speak about next year.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Tonbridge Angels v Margate

Ryman Premier League

Easter Monday, 5th April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

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