I like it because it's got a ring to a nice FA Cup tie, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he is dreaming of a FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round trip to Luton Town.

But before the Angels can dream about playing at Kennilworth Road, they must beat Calor (Southern) Premier League side St Albans City first.

St Albans City go into the Third Qualifying Round tie at Clarence Park sitting in tenth place in the table, with five wins and two draws from 11 games.

Tonbridge Angels are in the bottom four in the Conference South table, with two wins and three draws from their nine league outings.

“They’ve got quite an experienced side up there,” said Warrilow. 

“We know quite a few of their players, which is always good to know. They’ve all played at our level and some above.

“I like it because it’s got a ring to a nice FA Cup tie. It’s a different team, different league away from home and a different ground for the fans to go and watch the game and hopefully there will be a good Cup final atmosphere about it.

“I’m expecting a hard game but it’s a winnable game for us.”

Tonbridge Angels won their first FA Cup tie in four years when they needed two games to beat their Conference South rivals Hayes & Yeading United 2-1 after coming away from Woking with a goal-less draw in the first match.

“The last three performances, I think we’ve played well against Hayes & Yeading, we were the best side on both occasions and on Saturday we should have beaten Staines.”

The Angels were held to a 1-1 draw at home in the league to Staines Town, who welcome Sittingbourne to Wheatsheaf Lane in The FA Cup on Saturday.

“We should have beaten Staines,” added Warrilow.

“They’re sitting fifth, they’re not a poor side by any means. We made enough chances, had a goal disallowed, a very good penalty shout turned down and we had plenty of pressure second half that we should have capitalised on.

“I’ve looked up the form guide and we’re sitting ninth so we know the little bits of tweaking we need to do and Saturday was a similar story to last season.

“We’ve not taken our chances and the goal we gave away was ridiculous! We’ve kicked the ball against a defender and pulled the lad back when the ball was running out so it wasn’t a penalty anyway.  Clark (Masters) will be disappointed he didn’t save that as well.  If you take that out of the equation it’s three points.

“It’s just these little fine margins of not turning these draws into wins.”

When asked about being drawn against a lower league club in The FA Cup, Warrilow replied: “You want a lower level team because you think you can progress but at the same time if you go on and pull a Luton out of the hat or someone that’s going to have seven thousand people and you share the gate receipts and go there with the intention of winning the game.

“If you don’t you come away with some good FA Cup money but with a lower league side you’re hoping you get the prize money and half the gate money to go into the hat against the higher up clubs.”

The winners of Saturday’s Third Qualifying Round will bank a further £7,500 in prize money to go with the £4,500 banked in the last round.

Warrilow said: “It’s no secret. We need all the help we can get this season and for the future.  Hopefully the longer we stay and progress the stronger the club gets off the pitch and that is helped with the Cup runs.

“Every game of football means a lot to me, but it’s a chance for the club to get all the media attention and the stigma of the club a lot higher and advertised as well.

“Hastings had a great year last year in The FA Cup (losing to Middlesbrough in the Third Round) and unfortunately got relegated and people only remember their relegation.

“They earnt a lot of money last year, had a good Cup run but the most important thing is the Conference South status and the progression to move on from there.  You’d be mad if you go in there and say it doesn’t matter because it’s all about the league. It is about the league but this is the chance to get some financial rewards and get the club publicised in and around non-league football and above if we can have a good run in The FA Cup.”

The Angels last reached the fourth and final qualifying round in 2007 when under previous boss Tony Dolby they were on the end of a shock, going down to a 3-1 defeat at Ware.

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

St Albans City  v  Tonbridge Angels
The FA Cup with Budweiser Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 12^th October 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Clarence Park, York Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 4PL