Our friendlies are there to test us, says Warrilow

Sunday 18th July 2010

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he has every opportunity to give his players minutes under their belts this week, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels opened their pre-season campaign with a creditable goal-less draw against a strong Brentford side at Longmead Stadium yesterday.

They continue their preparations with visits to Kent League sides VCD Athletic (Tuesday) and Erith Town (Wednesday), before welcoming Blue Square Premier side Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

“Obviously we’ve got to give the other boys a run out as well, so we’ll go down to VCD Tuesday as strong as we can,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We need to play games and get some fluency going in our game plan, but at the same time with two games in two days we’ve got to split the bench to go into the next game.

“Not being horrible, we’ve got to benefit what’s right for us. The likes of Brentford are going to play what’s best for them. It will be the same for us. We’ll be training on Thursday as well, so this week is quite a hectic one.”

A year ago, Eastbourne Borough arrived at Longmead Stadium with a team full of trialists, and the Angels demolished the Sussex side 10-0.

But Warrilow has been in discussions with his opposite number, Garry Wilson, ahead of Saturday’s warm-up at Longmead.

“I’ve spoken to Gary and he apologised about last year,” he said. “They had their testimonial on the Friday night so he had a team of trialists up here on the Saturday and we beat them 10-0.

“He really apologised afterwards and I’m just letting the fans know he’s bringing a full strength side down here this year.

“Again, it will be a very good test for us. All the home games are (against) Conference South, Conference and Football League sides. It’s was done to give us that test so we’re not going to get our own way.”

Warrilow was pleased with his new-look side’s solid display against League One outfit Brentford yesterday.

The Angels boss started with seven new players and he was pleased with the way that they gelled against full-time footballers.

“Listen, we’re going to be a lot better than that, but we’ve just drawn 0-0 with Brentford,” he said.

“We’ve done some good things and we’ve done some bad things. We’ve got five weeks before we kick-off, by the time that comes up then perhaps we’ll be looking at a bit more shape, a bit more fluency in our game.

“Brentford played Fulham in the week (losing 5-0) and we’ve kept a clean sheet and we’ve held our own. We wouldn’t get our own way all the time but like I say I thought second half we were a lot more strong. We were a lot better than the first half.”

Tonbridge Angels are expected to be one of the contenders for the Ryman Premier League title - and begin their campaign with a trip to Billericay Town (21 August) before welcoming unknown quantity Bury Town to Longmead Stadium on a Tuesday night.

“Bury Town are an unknown quantity but obviously we’re going to know what we’re going to get from Billericay,” said Warrilow.

“They always start strong, they’ve just signed Adam Flanagan (from Ashford Town) and Micah Hyde from Barnet.

“I’ve looked at all the fixtures and there’s no real easy games throughout the season. We’ve got to get on with it. All I’m preparing us for is the next five weeks, more graft to get us fitter and stronger and hopefully we’re going to blend as a team and push on because on paper we’ve got some great players here.”

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

VCD Athletic v Tonbridge Angels

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 20th July 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN