Rook given another chance to impress Seagulls

Friday 24th July 2009

CARL ROOK is expected to feature in at least one of Brighton & Hove Albion’s game's next week, writes Stephen McCartney.

The contracted Tonbridge Angels striker, who has scored 47 goals in 58 appearances for the Ryman Premier League side, was supposed to feature in the Seagulls’ game at another Blue Square Premier club, AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night - and at Crawley Town tonight.

But Angels boss, Tommy Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following his side’s convincing 2-1 win at Kent League side Erith & Belvedere last night, explained he hopes his star-striker will become a professional by the start of the season - if he doesn’t then he will stay at the club unless a suitable offer comes in for the former Horsham striker.

"Carl will play for Brighton and I’ll speak to Dean (White) and Russell Slade (Brighton’s first team manager) afterwards," he said.

"They might want to have a longer look, I don’t know. I speak to Carl everyday and he’s trained every day and he’s done what he could.

Some Angels’ supporters had a wasted trip to Kingsmeadow, expecting to support their shining light earn a contract at League One Brighton.

"They needed a form from us to get written permission because he’s on a contract but they didn’t ask for it until Tuesday (the day of the game). We got it to them as quick as we could," explained Warrilow.

"Obviously if Rookie went out and got hurt they didn’t have it in writing that we said it was ok for him to play."

With the former Dover Athletic and Horsham striker in training on the east Sussex coast, Warrilow had only 15 players available for last night’s trip to Erith & Belvedere, which they comfortably won 2-1 with first half goals from the impressive Steve Ferguson and summer signing Jean-Michel Sigere.

Although disappointed with his side’s wasteful shooting at Park View Road, Warrilow was pleased that his side have won both of their official pre-season games.

And Warrilow wants to continue that run when Eastbourne Borough visit Longmead Stadium tomorrow.

The Angels stunned Eastbourne’s Blue Square Premier rivals, Ebbsfleet United 3-2 seven days ago, and Warrilow is looking forward to this game.

"Now it’s about trying to get some patterns and systems going," he said. "I prefer to play those sort of sides, like the Ebbsfleet game.

"I thought we started brightly and we were 2-0 down and we got back into the game. Again, we created loads of chances.

"Saturday is another 90 minutes and we’ll be looking to win the game, but we’re looking to try and convert those chances (we create).

"When you go two, three or four goals up, obviously it relaxes everyone and have that little cushion and express yourself more.

"When it’s 1-0 and someone gets something against you, like tonight (when Nathan Bell scored from Erith & Belvedere’s first chance to level after 32 minutes), it can go the other way.

"I’m reasonably happy, hopefully we can the quiet boys that sneak along this year and surprise a few people."

Complaining about his strength-in-depth, trialist Richard Styles (ex Sittingbourne and Slade Green) slotted in at right-back after the break, replacing reserve team defender, Paul Butler.

And Warrilow added: "We’re obviously struggling with strength-in-depth compared to last year. We had four subs, this is the squad really.

"There might have been somebody else here tonight, but he’s not shown. (Hopefully) they’ll come here Saturday."

Meanwhile, left-sided winger, Kirk Watts, a summer signing from Tooting & Mitcham United, is unavailable for this game.

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

Tonbridge Angels v Eastbourne Borough
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 25^th July 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW