Stones showdown is not a must-win game, insists Warrilow - EXCLUSIVE

TOMMY WARRILOW has urged Tonbridge Angels fans not to panic if his side lose the local derby against fierce rivals Maidstone United on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels boss saw his side batter Ashford Town (Middlesex) for 80 minutes last night, only to come away pointless, conceding a last minute goal to lose 2-1.

And with the Angels currently in the bottom six in the Ryman Premier League table on 34 points - just two points clear of the drop zone - the former Horsham assistant manager insists their survival hopes don’t hinge on the Betterview Longmead Stadium showdown.

In fact Warrilow hasn’t given up hope on clinching a play-off spot during their last 13 league games - they are fourteen points adrift of fifth placed side AFC Hornchurch.

When asked the Stones showdown was a must-win game, Warrilow, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, replied. “Not at all! There’s 39 points still to play for still. To build the Maidstone game as a must-win game is no where near it!

“There must be 12-15 teams from relegation. I know there’s a lot of rivalry about the two sets of fans’ but I’m looking to get my team keep their discipline, with a similar game as Tuesday night but coming out with a right result.”

Warrilow admitted Ashford Town (Middlesex) carried out a smash and grab raid on the Angels at Short Lane last night.

“It was a game that we actually dominated,” he said. “After the first ten minutes it was one way traffic. We should have been four or five nil up at half-time, gave away another sloppy goal, which let them back into the game and the second half got caught in the last minute and got away with nothing.”

He added: “I was angry about getting one point, let alone none. Looking back and reflecting on it we played well, probably the best we played for a while.

“I’m getting to sound like a stuck record - it’s another game we should have won!”

With both sets of fans exchanging banter on internet fans’ forums, Warrilow knows the outcome of Saturday’s match, which WILL attract a four-figure crowd, has no baring on the rest of the season.

“Us staying up or them going down doesn’t ride on Saturday’s game,” he said. “I’m sure Maidstone are saying the same thing.

“I’m not putting the pressure on the players that they must win the game or it’s all doom and gloom.

“The league is very tight. Last night’s result doesn’t help us but everyone who went up there saw how we performed and how we made them look.

“There’s no doubt booting tables or throwing tea cups. Last night’s game was just two sloppy mistakes but we should have wrapped the game up by half-time.

“It will be a knee jerk reaction to the doom and gloom merchants but there was nothing wrong with last night, other than the first ten minutes.

“This is why we’re playing non-league football, mistakes will be made. If they didn’t, they would be playing higher up.

“Last night hurt as we played well and even their manager apologised, which summed the evening up.”

With Dartford and Dover Athletic both expected to clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League at the end of this season, Warrilow knows how important financially it is for his club to retain their current status.

“It would be great to stay in the same league with lots of derbies and banter with fans’ and players - that would be an ideal league,” said Warrilow.

“Dover and Dartford are doing well so next year will be an influx of Kent sides in the Ryman Premier.

“It’s better for the travelling for the fans and gives it that little bit of an edge.”

But Warrilow believes numerous teams are involved in a relegation scrap.

“The league is so tight. I know the boys at the top are opening up the gap but there must be ten or fifteen teams looking over their shoulder,” he said.

“With lots of points to play for, with it being so tight, that’s why the Maidstone game isn’t a must-win game.

“I want to win every game but I’m not going to put pressure on the boys, who realise we are in the relegation scrap heap but every manager feels the same.

“Everyone’s been laughing at us looking at the play-off spots. Last night was a kick in the teeth. Until it’s mathematically we will keep the target. It’s that fifth play-off spot that we’re aiming for, instead of 17^th spot.

“We want to finish as high up in this league as possible. The performance last night was probably the best we’ve played for a while.”

Warrilow revealed that versatile Ray Powell, whose played for both clubs, will be playing the full 90 minutes for the reserves this weekend as he regains his fitness following his hernia operation.

Striker Jamie Cade, whose on loan from Blue Square South outfit Lewes, is in contention having missed last night’s defeat with a tight hamstring.

COVERAGE

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game on Saturday.

Listen to Matt Gerrard on BBC Radio Kent 96.7fm or via their website at www.bbc.co.uk/kent for regular updates.

Visit club websites:

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Maidstone United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 23^rd February 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW