Patched up Angels confident of causing upset - EXCLUSIVE

Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow will patch up his side ahead of their FA Carlsberg Trophy first round clash at giants Oxford United tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Horsham assistant manager revealed that NINE of his players’ were on the treatment table at training last night, ahead of the Kassam Stadium showdown.

But he said that winger John Westcott (Horsham) and strikers Carl Rook (Horsham) and Kwasi Edusei (East Thurrock United) are out cup-tied, having played for other clubs in the competition.

The versatile Ray Powell (groin), full-back Matt Lovell (fractured cheekbone) and Scottish winger Fraser Logan (twisted knee) have all declared themselves fit.



MASK:  Matt Lovell wore a face mask during Tonbridge Angels midweek 2-2 home draw against Billericay Town in midweek, as he soldiers on with a broken cheekbone.
Photograph courtesy of David Couldridge - www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Warrilow has tasted just one defeat in ten games since taking over from Tony Dolby at the helm at the beginning of November and is plotting a cup shock against a side that used to play in the top-flight of English football.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Warrilow said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the mouth-watering clash.

“It’s a respite from the league but we’re going there as the underdogs for the first time.

“And on our day there’s no reason why we can’t cause an upset. There’s high expectations from Tonbridge and quite rightly so.”

Club officials have confirmed that they’ve sold 173 tickets (out of 300) prior to the game.

“I’m not sure the crowd will be as high as people think,” said Warrilow, as Oxford United haven’t won in three games.

“They’re a good outfit, a good professional club. I don’t think it’s a good time or a bad time to ply them. They’re on the back of two good performances but we’re going there with a good shout.”

But as the Angels’ extend their Trophy campaign, Warrilow is having to chop and change his side as players are forced to sit out.

“It’s a blow all round as we’re trying to introduce a new system, we’re having to swap the team,” he said.

“The boys’ that are playing are more than capable of holding their own.

“It’s a bit disturbing but it won’t cause us problems because it’s a good squad here.”

Frosty conditions at the Betterview Longmead Stadium and nine players on the treatment table wasn’t ideal preparation for Warrilow’s warriors.

“We’ve got a lot of knocks and niggles at the moment,” he revealed. “I don’t know if it was a cold night, we have got a few lads playing through injuries.

“It was frosty last night so the pitch was slippery so we couldn’t do anything last night.

"But it was a good session and everyone’s focused on Saturday.”

With the club expecting to receive a healthy cheque from their visit to Oxfordshire afterwards, a replay would be even better for club coffers, boosted with recent sales of Jon Main (AFC Wimbledon) and Scott Gooding (Fisher Athletic).

But Warrilow, whose side are in the bottom four in the Ryman Premier League table, insisted: “We go into every game trying to win them. We’ve lost one in nine, the closest of the league has kept it close.

“We will be going there and not playing for a draw. We’re going to play for the win and at least we will say we gave it a go - we won’t be sitting back.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be attending this game but due to licensing deals we can only update the website after the final whistle. We will bring you all the reaction and reports over the course of the weekend.

Meanwhile, any replay will take place at the Betterview Longmead Stadium next Tuesday 18^th December, which will postpone Horsham YMCA’s visit in the Ryman League Cup.

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

Oxford United v Tonbridge Angels
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round
Saturday 15^th December 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4XP