PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SPECIAL: I’m not contemplating failure, says Warrilow

Monday 27th April 2009

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says his players must put their bodies on the line against Carshalton Athletic during their Ryman Premier League semi-final play-off showdown at Longmead Stadium tomorrow night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Warrilow, who was red carded for his part in the touchline spat with his mate Andy Hessenthaler during the bizarre 87 minute first half against Dover Athletic at the weekend, has urged fans to make Longmead Stadium an intimidating place for their Surrey opponents to see them through to Saturday’s final, which could be played at Staines Town (if they beat Sutton United tomorrow night) or at Tonbridge.

“I’m a great believer in fate and I’m not going to start trying to give it the kiss of death; I’ve known all along I know what will happen,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following his side’s 2-0 defeat against champions Dover Athletic.

“At the moment it’s going to plan who we’ll play, where and when.

“Tuesday is a massive game, massive game, there’s no ifs and buts.

“I hope everyone’s down here and the boys get their work-rate going as the pitch isn’t the best. I think lady luck will have a lot to do with it.”

Now is the time for everybody to deliver to send Carshalton Athletic, who escaped the drop with victory over the Angels on the last day of last season, packing.

“Tuesday nights here are something special, that’s why we wanted to get it (the semi-final) here, but it’s about the boys - the boys have got to go out and deliver.

“It’s the one game when you put yourself on the line.”

Warrilow, meanwhile, is confident that the club’s best ever team will produce the goods and bring Blue Square South football to Longmead Stadium in August.

“I’m quietly confident, but I’d never go as far as being arrogant and say we’ll win it (but) teams are wary of us,” he said.

“I’m not contemplating failure, irrelevant what happens, this season hasn’t been a failure, but I’m not going into the semi-finals saying ‘oh well we’ve got here.’

“I know what I’ve got in my side and I believe in them 150%. The only way we’ll lose is if we beat ourselves. We create so many chances and our history of our season this year has not been converting them and mistakes have cost us.”

Chairman Nick Sullivan, meanwhile, is confident that the Angels will deliver, although the former professional goalkeeper insists form against the Robbins goes out of the window.

The Angels’ inflicted Carshalton’s first away defeat of the season with 1-0 win in February, before going to Colston Avenue and clinching a 3-0 victory eighteen days later.

And Mr Sullivan, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, insists it’s all about what happens on the night.

“I don’t think it makes any difference,” he said. “It’s a one-off game, it’s like a cup final. We’ve been there before a few years ago, but it’s all on the day.

“We’re confident that we can finish the job but a lot of twists and turns can happen on the day.”

Speaking about their two league wins over the Robbins, Mr Sullivan added, “It means nothing, that’s gone, that’s history.

“It’s a completely different game, completely different circumstances, we’ll see. Of course we’re confident, it’s the best squad certainly since I’ve been in charge of the club, that’s the club’s had and I would have thought for a very long time.

Carshalton Athletic will crumble under the pressure of a passion filled Longmead Stadium, as Kent has the best fans in the entire league, and Mr Sullivan has issued a rallying cry for fans to raise the roof.

“We need the crowd support, the crowd will make a big, big difference,” he insisted.

“There will be a huge crowd there on Tuesday night.

“It’s a tense occasion. Last time when we was in this play-off semi-final, you remember against Tooting, we had Ray Powell sent off at half-time and we played the second half with ten men and the crowd pulled us though.

“We need them again on Tuesday, it’s a big occasion and as Alex Ferguson summed it up, it’s squeaky bum time.”

Mr Sullivan insists Warrilow will be the man to lead the club into Blue Square South along with champions Dover Athletic.

But he backs the former Horsham number two if things don’t go to plan this week.

When asked what would happen if the Angels don’t gain promotion through the play-off lottery, Sullivan replied, “You try and stay positive, of course it’s in the back of your mind.

“It’s been the most successful season the club’s had for a long, long time (finishing in third place) and long-time supporters have told me probably for ever.

“All we can do is do our best, as players, as a board, Garry (Pass, vice-chairman) and I, all we ask is the boys to give us their best and if it’s good enough, fantastic.

“If it’s not then fair enough, it’s not going to destroy the club. Obviously we want to get promoted, but everything’s geared up for the club getting promoted, although Carshalton will probably have something to say about that.”

Reflecting on Warrilow’s touchline spat with Hessenthaler on Saturday, Sullivan added, “Tommy is passionate and you take it away from Tommy and you take away what he’s good at.

“Tommy will go on and manage bigger and better clubs than us and we are delighted we have Tommy in charge - I wouldn’t swap him for anyone.

“He’s on contract until the end of next season, same as ten of our players.

“If we go up we believe we’ve got a squad good enough. If it goes against us and we don’t go up, we’ve got a squad good enough to challenge for next season. Off course we want to go up. If we don’t then we’ve got a good chance (next season).”

Ade Olorunda (broken foot), Fraser Logan (cruciate ligament) and Leon Legge (suspended) remain on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the club would like to remind supporters that it’s ALL PAY on the night. Season tickets are NOT valid.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will bring you Mike Green’s match report and reaction after the game.

Tonbridge Angels v Carshalton Athletic

Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW