Kentish Football 
Inconsistency separates us from the big boys, admits Dolby - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Chairman Nick Sullivan insisted the club’s aims were to bag 40 points as quickly as possible to retain their status in the higher division.
But on Tuesday night, big-spending Chelmsford City arrived in Kent looking for a win to climb above Bromley and Margate at the summit.
However, a stunning hat-trick from Jon Main, the former VCD Athletic and Cray Wanderers striker has now scored 28 goals this season, ensured that the Angels bagged their 42nd point of the campaign in an impressive 3-1 win.
Tonbridge Angels have, however, eclipsed their ambitions and are just two points below the final play-off berth - with sixteen league games remaining.
They travel up the A21 to play another title chasing side in Bromley on Saturday. The two sides met at the Betterview Longmead Stadium just two weeks ago, with Mark Goldberg’s side winning 2-1.
Whilst Bromley aim for promotion into the Nationwide Conference South at the end of this season, Tonbridge boss Tony Dolby is working hard to make sure that this season is not a flash in the pan.
“We seem to be too inconsistent for my liking,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“Although we have won a lot of games, I think that (the Chelmsford win) was our 13th game we’ve won, that is no mean feat at this level.
“But we’ve lost too many, ones we should be getting at least a draw from, which separates us at the moment from the big boys.
“But we’ve worked tremendously hard in the summer, tremendously hard in training all year long.
“We’ve got a lot of hunger and ambition down at Tonbridge and it’s paying dividends at the moment. Who knows how far we can go?”
But Dolby does not want his side to slide down the table in their second season in the Ryman Premier League.
“I think the foundations are set (for avoiding) that,” he said. “When clubs go up they really give it a go and then sometimes stutter in the second season.
“But I’d like to think we’ve got a bit more about us than that and we’re attracting some decent crowds that will keep coming if we keep winning and I’m sure that will mean we can attract better players.
“We’re looking to push on from this. We’re not going to rest on our laurels and just say this team is going to just last again next season.
“We’re going to look to improve it as much as we possibly can and aim to achieve higher than this season, no matter what that might be.”
Combative midfielder, Scott Kinch is expected to be on the sidelines for up to another four to six weeks. The former Tooting & Mitcham United star has had his plaster off his foot injury and has started his rehab programme.
And full-back, youth team product, Jon Heath has recently had an operation on his knee and he too will undergo his rehab soon.
Meanwhile, reserve team manager Julian Leigh is pleased how things are going. Last season the former first team boss of Kent League side Sevenoaks Town saw his Angels’ second string collect two trophies - the Suburban League Shield and Kent Intermediate Cup, beating Burnham and Gravesend & Northfleet respectively.
Leigh’s men defeated Sutton United 1-0 in the Suburban League Shield at the weekend as they defend their trophy.
Writing in his programme notes for Tuesday‘s game against Chelmsford City, Leigh said: “Having given the matter some thought over the weekend, when going to some of these clubs whose first teams are in higher divisions than your own, you realise how right we have got things as far as the reserves are concerned at Tonbridge.
“We give the youth players an opportunity to perform at a good level, but also give players from the first team squad much needed time as and when needed.
“The integration between the two squads is probably the best I have experienced at any club I have been involved with.”
Meanwhile, Tonbridge welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Saturday, 3rd February (3pm) as planned.
The Wombles were today expelled from the FA Trophy after fielding an illegible player in their second round win at Gravesend & Northfleet.
The Fleet will now welcome Rushden & Diamonds in the third round on 3rd February, whilst the Angels can expect a nice pay day.
Bromley v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 27th January 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF
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