I'm really pleased with the way things are going, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he couldn’t be happier with his side’s inaugural Blue Square Bet (Conference) South campaign.



The Angels are presently in eighth-place in the table, with 51 points from 35 games, and are only ten points adrift of Chelmsford City, who are hanging on to fifth-place with in-form Dover Athletic hot on the Essex side’s heels.

Warrilow takes his side to fourth-from-bottom side Havant & Waterlooville tomorrow, before some tasty games against Chelmsford City, Dover Athletic and league leaders Woking.

The Hampshire side went to Bromley in midweek on the back of nine defeats on the bounce but they played out a goal-less bore draw at Hayes Lane and welcome the Angels sitting two points ahead of Staines Town in the relegation dog-fight.

“I spoke to a few people about them,” said Warrilow.

“It’s similar to the Staines game. I’m not too concerned about where the teams are in the league as one thing we’ve definitely found out there’s some quality sides fighting for their lives and Havant come under that umbrella.

“We had them watched Tuesday night and they obviously played Dartford last week.  It’s the old saying, we have to go down there and keep doing what we’re doing. If we keep doing that we give ourselves every chance to come away with three points.

“It will be a really hard game as on paper some of the players they’ve got are big players. If we’re not careful and we take our foot of the pedal we can come unstuck.

The pressure is on Havant & Waterlooville to claim three points, which would see them leapfrog over Bromley, who welcome Farnborough to Hayes Lane tomorrow, if Mark Goldberg’s side lose.

Warrilow said: “A lot of us have only got seven games left, some less, some have a few more.  The games are running out so I should imagine the longer the season goes on and draws to a close there is an element of pressure that’s being put on sides.”

The Longmead Stadium faithful would have been satisfied with a fourth-from-bottom finish at the end of their first season in Conference South – but Warrilow’s side have excelled the expectations of their fans.

“We’ve had a fantastic (season).  I’ve been happy for a while, with two defeats in thirteen,” said Warrilow.

“Tuesday night down at Eastleigh we played some really good stuff.  We bonded as a side and it’s beginning to show and there’s still work to do, obviously, and I just hope we sustain that until the end of the season.

With his side agonisingly close to the play-off zone, Warrilow said: “I’m not going to beat myself up or ourselves up.  I say every point, every goal, everything counts and it does.

“This is our first season at this level and the lads that have come here have done a fantastic job and it’s important that we don’t throw that away.

“After this weekend there’s a massive three games coming up (against Chelmsford, Dover Athletic and Woking).  I’m really pleased with the way things are going and I couldn’t be happier.”

Warrilow this week has added goalkeeper Jack Smelt, 20, and striker Carl Rook, 29, to his squad, having signed the pair from Whitstable Town and Eastbourne Borough respectively.

Warrilow said of Lee Worgan’s understudy, “With Jack, I’m friends with his dad Lee and we do a bit of coaching together.  He was down Whitstable but he’s not had a game for ages but he’s started off at Margate and I’ve seen him down at Cray and he’s a good goalie. 

“It’s a case of cover and if anything happens to Worgs (we will need him).”

“Everyone knows the issue with Rookie,” said Warrilow. “He got himself sorted out down at Eastbourne regarding walking away from his contract. He’s got a four-match ban to serve.  We’re down to two centre forwards and I spoke to Carl and he’s come down and signed a form. 

“There’s no money (wages) involved as he can only be available for three or four games tops anyway.  I know he’s going to speak to a Ryman Premier club and do the same.

“He’s missed a lot of football for one reason or another. He’s had an operation on his groin, which has been troubling him since his Horsham days.  You never say never in football.”

Tonbridge Angels now have arguably the most prolific forward line in non-league football, with Frannie Collin, Jon Main and Rook at the club.

The trio have certainly banged in the goals, whilst at Longmead Stadium:

Jon Main:  Appearances: 92+17 Goals: 71 (14 penalties)
Carl Rook:  Appearances: 90+17 Goals: 68 (25 penalties)
Frannie Collin: Appearances: 73+6 Goals: 49 (11 penalties)

Unfortunately, Warrilow is presently in a position where he can’t play the three of them on the same pitch at the same time.

“Mainy is obviously a legend at the club and it was always going to be hard for Carl to follow him,” said Warrilow, who paid Horsham £10,000 to bring Rook to the club after selling Main to AFC Wimbledon for a record £25,000 transfer fee back in November 2007.

“When Carl came in he done really well as well with his goal ratio – now Frannie coming along and he’s working on par with him.

“They’re three out and out goalscorers, all different types of player as well.  Unfortunately two of the three (Main and Rook) aren’t really featuring so we’re only down to Frannie.

“We’ve got no Mainy now, he’s had a horrendous time this year with injuries.  We done everything to the book and someone lands on his leg, a completely freak injury. It’s not another operation, it’s a case of just resting it and it will be about next year now.  There’s no point Mainy coming back for a game. It’s about him getting his leg as strong.  He’s going to work hard and get himself back to where he wants to be.”

When asked whether Main and Rook will form a prolific forward line along with contracted Collin next season, Warrilow replied, “I don’t know. We’ve brought a few lads.  I’ve signed up seven.  I’ve got to sit down and talk to them. Obviously Frannie is (signed up), the other two I have to sit down and look at options because my phone is ringing quite a bit with players’ and agents.  Some of them are nice names, nice players.  What I can’t do is use up my full quota and miss out on something.

“All three of them are quality players and I’ve got Ade Olorunda to throw in to that as well. I have to sit down and have a chat with Ade as well.  It’s a nice position to be in.  I’ve got Mikel Suarez, who has done brilliant for me.  I want to speak to Mikel as well.

“There is a couple of areas we are looking at, what I’ve got, what I’ve signed and what I’m happy with but they’re all good names.  I’m sure it won’t be us trying to get their signature.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk  & www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk

Havant & Waterlooville  v  Tonbridge Angels
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 24^th March 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Westleigh Park, Martin Road, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 5TH