MAGNIFICENT ANGELS: We have nothing to fear, insists Warrilow

There are many sore heads in west Kent today - as proud Tonbridge Angels supporters’ realise the magnitude of what their HEROIC side achieved yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent heroes, a side that’s underperforming near the foot of the Ryman Premier League table, held giants Oxford United to a goal-less draw at the Kassam Stadium to earn a lucrative home - and WINNABLE - FA Carlsberg Trophy first round replay on Tuesday night.

The club put on a buffet and celebration in their clubhouse on Saturday night.

“Win, lose or draw, everyone was invited back at the club,” said a proud chairman Nick Sullivan.

“We’re laying on a buffet - it’s just the right thing to do.”



SCORECARD:  It was a proud day for the 227 Tonbridge Angels fans' that made their way to the Kassam Stadium

Oxford United, from the Blue Square Premier, will NOT fancy a trip to a passion filled Betterview Longmead Stadium on Tuesday night, especially if the passionate Angels fans’ emulate their excellent support that they gave at a sparse Kassam Stadium.

Oxford United, fresh from their FA Cup second round replay exit at Southend United in midweek, were not up for the challenge - both on and off the pitch - as Tonbridge Angels excelled.

If it wasn’t for the foot of the left post, it would have been even better for the Kent club, as substitute Hamid Barr, partnering fellow substitute Richard Harris up front at the time, struck the foot of the upright from twenty yards with fifteen minutes remaining.

There can only be ONE winner on Tuesday night - if the Angels emulate their determined display that they showed in front of Oxford United’s lowest home crowd of the season.

“We thought if we come here and give our all, we’d have half a chance,” said a delighted Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday.



WING WIZARD:  Tonbridge Angels winger Kirk Watts (right) takes on an Oxford United player at the Kassam Stadium yesterday.

“They’re obviously a really good outfit, very professional, two league’s above, so we knew it wouldn’t be an easy game.

“But I thought we thoroughly deserved a draw, so delighted to take them back to Tonbridge.”

The former Horsham assistant manager, whose tasted just one defeat in ten games, since replacing Tony Dolby at the helm, added: “But I’m not going to fault anyone today because everyone just ran themselves into the ground.

“It’s a clean sheet, which is obviously nice, but I can’t single anyone out. I thought everyone just gave their all and that’s what you ask from them.”

Playing in excellent surroundings, definitely a venue that shouldn’t be hosting Blue Square Premier football, Tonbridge Angels turned on the style - and were by far the better TEAM.

“When you come to places like this, if you don’t want to play football out there, you’re not going to get much nicer pitches like that,” explained Warrilow.

“So we said to them “get it down and play, don’t start lumping it,”

“We’re thoroughly delighted the way we maintained the standard of trying to play.

“We wanted to get it down and knock it about because it is a nice surface and a nice stadium - we’ve got to raise our game every week like this as well.”

And don’t forget Tonbridge Angels were without three men, who were cup-tied.

Strikers Kwasi Edusei (East Thurrock United) and Carl Rook (Horsham) and winger John Westcott (Horsham) were out.

But versatile skipper Ray Powell and central midfielder Anthony Storey are suspended for the replay - so is Oxford United’s number one goalkeeper, Billy Turley.

“FA Trophy, we want to give it a go, it’s our FA Cup,” said Warrilow. “We’re only two league’s below Oxford so there’s not a massive gap.

“That’s not being respectful to them but my aim is to get up and out of the league’s.

“We are still introducing new players and a different system and obviously a lot of players, like three of them, we’re Trophy tied today so that’s a little bit frustrating.

“But long-term goals are to push on and get out of this league but at the same time. I want to stay in this as long as possible.”

Brave full-back Matt Lovell linked up well with Scottish winger Fraser Logan throughout down the left - despite wearing a face mask for the second successive game to protect his fractured cheekbone.

Warrilow said: “That showed some of the commitment the boys are showing. That’s the right attitude.

“He got it done himself, of his own back and could have quite easily sat back.

“The boy wants to play and he’s been absolutely outstanding for me at left-back.”

Warrilow issued a rallying cry to ALL Tonbridge Angels fans’ to cheer his team onto a historic replay win.



ANGELS DELIGHT:  Some of the 227 Tonbridge Angels fans' salute their heroes at the final whistle

“Tonbridge have always been a well supported side but I know there will be a few more there,” he said.

More passionate Tonbridge Angels supporters’ will assist the side to pull off a shock - but expectant - victory.

“We go into it with nothing to fear - we’ll give it our best shot,” insisted Warrilow.

“Again if we get our work-ethic right, then we shouldn’t be far off.”

Praising the 227 Angels fans that out-sang the Oxford United fans, making the Kassam Stadium their own, Warrilow said: “Brilliant! They were outstanding. They’ve all come here today and I’m glad we’ve given them something to cheer about.”

He added: “Hopefully we’ll give them something to cheer on Tuesday as well but different class, the supporters, different class!”

The Angels’ faithful chant “Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got Tommy Warrilow” - victory on Tuesday night against FULL-TIME Oxford United will make it very, very special indeed.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the replay - dare you miss it?

Admission prices: £10 (adults), £5 (over 65s), £8 (students) £3 (under 16s).

All photographs courtesy of David Couldridge - www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/gallery

Tonbridge Angels v Oxford United
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round Replay
Tuesday 18^th December 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW