I want my place back in the team - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Striker Andy Martin feels he should return to the starting line-up on Saturday after scoring four goals against a young Gravesend & Northfleet side on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Welshman, who had not started four games for Tonbridge Angels before the Kent Senior Cup first round tie, feels he does not have knock on manager Tony Dolby’s door.

“I think the performance said it all,” Martin said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their 7-3 win over the Fleet.

“I don’t think I need to knock on the door,” He added: “I want to be in the team and I think the performance tonight showed I’m ready to go back in and I want to go back in.”

But Dolby admitted Martin, whose scored ten goals this season, will be in his thoughts when he picks his team for their trip to East Thurrock United on Saturday.

Dolby said: “Andy hasn’t played for a couple of weeks, wasn’t playing particularly well before hand, which is why he’s dropped but he’s answered me the right way with four goals.

“He’s scored four goals in a game and he’s done himself no harm.”

Dolby, who made five changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Margate last weekend, was impressed with the two 16-year-old’s who were handed their debuts in midweek.

Left-sided midfielder Luke Watkins came off the substitutes bench at half-time, whilst striker Ashley Dann, a 66^th minute substitute, scored the Angels’ fifth goal.

“I was thrilled for the lad, showed a lot of nice touches” praised Dolby.

“Luke I thought done very well, played a whole half and then Ashley came on.

“I was saying in the dug-out that “I would love one of them to score” to cap tonight with a goal and Ashley did, so I’m delighted for the lad.”

Humiliating a Nationwide Conference full-time outfit before their bread and butter of a Ryman Premier League game was just the tonic after their derby defeat.

“They had quite a few youngsters out there but also fielded quite an experimental team if you like,” Dolby said.

“To beat any side at Conference level, whatever side that have, they’re all full-time boys, but our boys matched them for fitness and certainly matched them for quality.”

With central defender John Beales missing for their trip into Essex due to attending a wedding, Dolby is expected to unveil a new face.

But Dolby admitted Rookery Hill is not his favourite venue.