Kentish rivals relishing the tie of the round

DOVER ATHLETIC have shown their intent to clinch promotion this season with a couple of star-studied signings in time for Saturday's crunch FA Cup first qualifying round showdown at Tonbridge Angels, writes Stephen McCartney.

On Tuesday, boss Andy Hessenthaler brought midfielder Nicky Southall, 36, to Crabble on a one-month’s loan deal from Coca-Cola League Two outfit Gillingham.

And this morning Hessenthaler brought striker Giuliano Grazioli to the table-topping Ryman Premier League club, on a contract until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old made 131 appearances during his time at Underhill, scoring 62 times, and was a team mate of Hessenthaler during their time in north London together.

Grazioli has also played for the likes of Wembley, Peterborough United, Yeovil Town, Woking, Stevenage Borough, Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers.

“I think we’ve assembled a really good squad, to make a right go at it,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“I felt we needed something else up front. He’s pedigree speaks for itself. He was a catalyst of Barnet’s Conference season when they got promoted to the second division.

“I knew him when I was there, he’s an eighteen-yard box player, when it goes in there, he will score goals.”

And Southall has dropped three divisions to sign for the Whites on a month’s loan.

Southall, in his third spell at Priestfield, has fallen out of favour with Gills manager Mark Stimson and he teams up with Hessenthaler, his team-mate and manager in his first two spells at the League Two club.

Gillingham have allowed Southall to play for Dover Athletic in the mouth-watering FA Cup showdown against eighth-placed Kentish rivals Tonbridge Angels.

Hessenthaler, who has recently gone into business with Southall, told BBC Radio Kent: “It’s a massive bonus, we didn’t need to strengthen in Nicky’s position but when a player of his quality comes up you have to take it up.”

Southall, also speaking to BBC Radio Kent, said: “I didn’t want to travel any distance for family reasons. I had a bad time when I was at Bolton when I was sent to Norwich on loan and was away from my family for three months.

“Of course I want to play for Gillingham again. I want to come here to Dover and get my fitness back and hopefully I’ll get to run out in front of the Priestfield fans again.”

Southall made his debut for Dover on Tuesday night and helped them return to the top of the Ryman Premier League by beating Hendon 2-0.

For Angels boss Tommy Warrilow, he knows his side face a mammoth task if they’re to continue with their recent impressive FA Cup form.

“They’ve weakened their squad,” Warrilow joked, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  tonight.

“Good luck to them if they can do that, we’ll be in that position (in years to come) - this club has come a long way in three years.

“They’re in our league, there’s nothing to be frightened off and we’ll be up for the game to try and stay in the Cup as long as possible and get a good run going.”

After an off-colour start, Warrilow’s side have hit form at the right time.

Last Saturday they completed a smash-and-grab raid at Maidstone United, with a last-gasp winner from Jamie Cade before Billericay Town were beaten 3-2 at Longmead Stadium in midweek.

“All the expressions come out, like, it’s a long week in football, but I’m pleased with Saturday,” said Warrilow.

“It wasn’t a brilliant game of football, but I’m pleased with our defending, our discipline and shape and obviously delighted to come away with three points.

“It was important after the previous two losses that we stopped the rot and that was always going to be the main objection of the game.

“We took that into Tuesday and improved on our performance from Saturday and thoroughly deserved the win.

“We made hard work of it, letting a two-gaol lead go, but make no mistakes, Billericay will be a difficult side to beat and will be up there.”

Saturday’s game at Longmead Stadium will certainly draw the crowds with yet another big crowd expected.

“”If you’re looking at the league tables etc and the financial aspects we’re the underdogs,” admitted the Angels boss.

“But we’re at home, we’ve been playing at this level for a few seasons now but overall it’s evenly matched.

“But I hope the game is a better spectacle than we played at Maidstone.”

Warrilow knows his side have to beat the best side in their division if they're to be included for Monday's second qualifying round draw.

“Last year Tonbridge were very lucky with the draw, playing lower league opposition all the way through. This year we’ve drawn a very good non-league side," said Warrilow.

“It’s been a funny start to the season for us. There’s a buzz around the camp now. We’re not going at full capacity but in training the lads are buzzing, very confident, but we have to treat this game as every other game.

“I do want to win every game but Saturday has that added spice to it. I think it’s the pick of the round regarding the draw and hopefully we can make it an excellent week and finish it off with the three wins.”

Hessenthaler, meanwhile, is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with a respected rival - but he hopes to do replicate the Dover Athletic side of six years ago when they were defeated by Oxford United 1-0 in the first round proper.

“I know Tommy Warrilow well,” Hessenthaler told Justin Allen in an audio interview with www.doverathletic.com.

“He’s built a good, strong team and done a good job with Tonbridge.

“They’ll be up for the game - as will we. We had a bit of a slip last year in the cup by losing to Hythe. We hope to go further this season.

“For me, the FA Cup is a welcome distraction from the league. It’s the number one Cup competition in the world and we’re for sure going to be taking it very seriously.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

You can listen to the audio interview with Hessenthaler in full by clicking on: 

http://www.doverathletic.com/DAFCradio

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com & www.dovorian.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Dover Athletic
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 13^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF