I hope I'm wrong but the pitches will dictate games, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

The Angels booked a massive Kent derby at Dartford in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round on 15 December after goals from defender Sonny Miles and midfielder Lee Browning sealed a 2-1 win at Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.

It was home-grown defender Miles’ first goal of the season and Warrilow wants his defenders to score more goals as they come up for set-pieces and long throws into the box from Ross Treleaven.

The Angels boss, who didn’t return home to Strood until around four in the morning, before getting up for work, was pleased with his side’s work.

He said: “It was just as we spoke about last week, exactly what I knew it would be. It was a real hard working performance.

“We wasn’t at our best to be honest but they didn’t’ really cause us any problems. I’ve heard reports of Worgs keeping us in the game.  It sounds like we were bombarded but Lee Worgan made two saves all night!

“We went 1-0 up and we’ve had chances to get another one. It was one of those nights when it wasn’t the best conditions with the latest weather (rain) we’ve been having.

“The most important thing was get the job done and go home and that’s exactly what I said after the game – let’s have a shower and go home!

“Merthyr were good. They were two league’s below but they were good. I just felt apart from the penalty I didn’t see them scoring!

“I haven’t got a clue, don’t know if anyone knows what the penalty was given for against us? It has given them a lifeline but we couldn’t have scored at a better time, literally the last touch of the game.”

Warrilow wants more goals from his defensive unit, following a rare goal from Miles.

He said: “We’ve got all of the (defensive) boys going up there now. We’ve got Ross Treleaven come on board and he’s got a long throw as they did the other night and to be fair the back three have done exceptionally for me.  Literally anything that came into our box they were first to and cleared and they’ve caused havoc in their box and Sonny’s cashed in on that.

“I’m expecting more goals from my defenders from set-pieces. I’ve been on at them for a while now.    I’m hoping this is the start of my defenders chipping in with goals.”

Warrilow was pleased when his box-to-box midfielder Browning snatched a last-gasp winner.

“Browno got in the box as per normal.  Browno’s come in and made sure and put it over the line so literally we’ve gone back and a couple of touches and the whistle’s gone.

“For me I was more than pleased because I didn’t want another game and now we’ve got Dartford in the next round now.”

Warrilow takes his side to Princes Park to lock horns with friend Tony Burman, who has guided the Darts to an impressive fifth-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier following their promotion as Blue Square Bet (Conference) South play-off winners last May.

“We’ll probably pop down and watch each other play beforehand.  I don’t think we’re going to learn anything that we don’t already know,” said Warrilow.

“There’s a lot of friends between each club but we’ll be going there to forget about that on the day.

“There’s a lot of respect between both clubs.  Everyone knows me and Tony get on really well and are mutual friends off the pitch but everyone wants to go there and dump each other out of the Trophy.”

Tonbridge Angels embark on their trip to Truro on Friday ahead of Saturday’s game against the division’s bottom side.

The Kent side lie in thirteenth-place in the table, with four wins and eight draws from their fourteen games, whilst the Cornwall club are just thankful to still be playing football during much-publicised financial troubles.

Warrilow said: “The lads’ have been brilliant getting time off work this week but I just think Truro at home are going to be strong. They’ve got the pick of the quality local players who will make themselves available for home games.

“Truro’s main objective is to stay in this league and sort their off-field problems out. 

“To be honest if what I’m reading is true, I’m surprised they’re still on board. No one likes to see a football club go under.

“It’s expecting the same as Merthyr. We have to go and dig in and grind out a result. The pitches are changing now with the weather. I think it’s more about getting the results now and working hard rather than the football.  I hope I’m wrong but I think the pitches are going to dictate games as we go into the Christmas period.

“We’ve said all along, get 1 January out of the way and see where we are. I think we’re down to seven games in December so they’re going to come thick and fast.  A majority of the games are local derbies so anything can happen, form guides etc go out of the door.

“You know me, I’m not one to get carried away whether we’re top of the league or bottom – it’s all about points.

“It’s very tight our league. If we come out at Christmas and we’re still in contention in or around the play-offs I’ll be more than happy because we tend to be a side that finish well. We seem to have a good February and March. If we stay up there or there abouts and keep our form going it gives our fans something.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Chris Piper misses Saturday’s game through a one-match suspension.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk  

Truro City  v  Tonbridge Angels
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 1^st December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2TH