It's too early too panic, say promotion chasing rivals'

TONBRIDGE ANGELS striker Carl Rook may miss tomorrow’s derby match at Ramsgate tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Horsham striker, with one goal from three outings, is currently suffering from an injured groin and toe.

Rook toiled in the heat for 74 minutes as the Angels lost their first game of the season to Staines Town yesterday.

A shockingly poor first half from the Kent side ensured the Swans went into the break with a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Elliot Onochie and substitute Dean Thomas.

The Angels performed much better during the second half, but only had summer signing, striker, Ade Olorunda’s goal for their efforts - the former Hastings United striker’s first goal for his new club.

The Longmead Stadium outfit have picked up four points from their first three games, having held Wealdstone to a goal-less draw on opening day - a game where goalkeeper Lee Worgan was red carded early on - and defeated Harlow Town 2-0 in midweek.

Angels boss Tommy Warrilow takes his side to Southwood Stadium, hoping to emulate what AFC Hornchurch did there on the opening day of the season.

Ramsgate have yet tasted victory in their first three Ryman Premier League games of the season, but Tommy Warrilow knows it’s going to be difficult to kick-start Tonbridge’s season.

“It’s a hard place to go and get a result,” the Angels boss told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Jim’s got a good, workmanlike team down there that’s done very well.

"I’ve been around this league long enough, I know what we’re going to get down there.

“We just have to up the work-rate a little bit. We’re a footballing side but sometimes we have to do the horrible things and when it’s not going right, we didn’t do that today, so Monday we’ve got to learn from today.”

Tonbridge Angels have, in recent seasons, done well against Jim Ward’s Rams, and Warrilow wants to continue that this season.

“There’s a lot of managers I’ve got as mates now, we’d both like the bragging rights afterwards,” added Warrilow.

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has told supporters not to panic as there’s a lot more to come from his side.

The Rams opened their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to AFC Hornchurch before drawing at both Sutton United and Boreham Wood.

Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk has been pleased with his side’s performance in those three games.

And reflecting about yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood, Ward said: “First 25 minutes we were really good, kept the ball very well and to be fair in that period we should have been two or three nil up - we missed some good chances.

“Fair play to them, they haven’t won two games for nothing.

“To be fair, we’ve had the most difficult start than anybody - we could do with a win, it’s early days, isn’t it?”

Ward highlighted the six clubs that he feels will be challenging for Ryman Premier League honours this season.

AFC Hornchurch proved their win over the Rams was no fluke, having inflicted Dover Athletic’s first defeat of the season yesterday.

Ward said: “I would put them (Hornchurch) in the same bracket as Ramsgate and Tonbridge, along with Staines, Carshalton and Dover - I think it’s the six teams, but it’s early days.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Kentish derby against Tonbridge Angels, Ward expects three points.

“A tough game, Tommy will have them organised, they’re a good side,” he said.

“I really fancy them to be play-off material but I think we’re in that same bracket.

“We’re at home so I expect to get the three points.

“We’ve played well in the three games we’ve played. We weren’t so good against Hornchurch but we had enough chances to win the game - there’s no panic stations.

“If it’s different times in the season and you go to Sutton and Boreham Wood and get a point, you’re happy with that.

“It’s just that we got beaten by Hornchurch. We’ve come away from two difficult places and got a result from both places.”

Ward, meanwhile, is keeping tomorrow’s team selection close to his chest.

Visit Ramsgate’s website:  www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

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

Ramsgate v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Bank Holiday Monday, 23^rd August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN