Hume wary of Angels' costly firepower

Thursday 03rd September 2009

CASH-STRAPPED Maidstone United joint-boss Lloyd Hume says he wishes he was in the shoes of his opposite number, Tommy Warrilow, when it comes to firepower, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tonbridge Angels boss Warrilow is expected to field Carl Rook, Paul Booth and Jamie Cade, (who have scored eight goals between them already this season), during the west Kent showdown on Saturday - the first time that the two sides have met each other at Homelands Stadium, Ashford.

And with his striker, Meshach Nugent, still around five or six weeks from full match fitness, following hamstring and ankle ligament problems, Hume has James Pinnock and Aaron Firth (a recent signing from Ryman One South side Ramsgate) at his disposal on Saturday.

Both clubs were forced to slash their playing budget during the summer and Hume, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, claims Warrilow’s three strikers cost 50% of Maidstone United’s weekly playing budget.

“We just need to play to our maximum potential,” said Hume. “I’m not going to hide behind the fact that Tommy (Warrilow) have been very public about having no money, because of budget cuts.

“But it’s no surprise to me that a lot of their senior players are still there on a lot of money. They’ve got a very strong side. Their budget completely dwarfs our budget but that doesn’t make us frighten of them.

“I believe that we’ve got a good side, a good blend of youngsters and experience.

“I’d love to have Tonbridge’s three up front, with the money that they’ve got for them.

“I was talking to our chairman on Saturday and when you look at the fact that Tonbride have Rookie, Boothy and Cade up front, the three of them are pretty much half our budget and I would love to have any one of those three in my starting eleven on Saturday.

“But that’s not to be, so we have to go with what we’ve got.”

With Nugent still on the sidelines, Hume says Aaron Frith could get a chance to impress, having recently signed from Ryman One South side Ramsgate on a free-transfer, having had his contract at the Southwood Stadium club terminated to enable him to jump a league.

Hume, whose side are in midtable with two wins and two draws from their first six games and coming up against a Tonbridge Angels side that are unbeaten in five games and are now in third place, said: “I’ve got belief in James Pinnock and Aaron Firth, who is a bit untried and tested at our level. Hopefully he’ll come good on Saturday, with the youngsters that we’ve brought in.”

“Meshach’s going to be another five or six weeks and we’re trying hard to bring someone in but we’re really struggling to find someone with real quality.

“I need to add to it and I’m confident and I’m happy with what we’ve got but we need more firepower.”

Speaking about Nugent’s current injury status, Hume added, “He’s done his ankle ligaments and we’ve been told that he can start playing in about a week but in reality he’s three or four weeks from fitness. He didn’t do a pre-season because of his hamstring, so he needs to be put through a bit of a programme so he’s up and running when he’s back in the first team.”

Hume could be given help to strengthen his squad if both sets of supporters flock through the turnstiles on Saturday.

“There’s generally a lot of support from Tonbridge and Maidstone, although Tonbridge have been fairly disappointing in the number of supporters that they’ve brought to our last couple of games,” said Hume.

“Hopefully they will come down in numbers as they’re a good side still and they’re doing well, so hopefully there will be a good atmosphere at the game.

“It’s a new venue in terms of playing against us, although they have been there before when they played Ashford.

“It’s a good venue and it’s one they will enjoy, hopefully they will come down in numbers, as our supporters will hopefully.”

And Maidstone United’s home form certainly entices Tonbridge fans to make the trip as the Stones have not won on the lush playing surface - neither have Steve Lovell’s Ashford (in the league) come to think about it.

“I’m not concerned with it to be honest,” said Hume. “There’s no rhyme or reason as to why we shouldn’t be playing well at home, but the reality is we haven’t played well in our first three games at home and we’ve played better away from home.

“But when I looked at last week’s news bulletin that comes out from the Ryman League, the away results so far this season are better than the home results, so I think it’s not us that have struggled at home.

“There’s no reason for it as we’ve got a lovely pitch and a nice ground - we just haven’t performed on those days and hopefully we’ll put that right on Saturday.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

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

Maidstone United v Tonbridge Angels

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 5th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ