The best is still to come, insists Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow takes his side to AFC Hornchurch tomorrow night, looking to extend their unbeaten run to six league games, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels are currently in seventh place in the Ryman Premier League table - ten points behind leaders Dover Athletic - having picked up 13 points from their last five games.

Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their trip to Essex, was pleased with the 4-1 friendly win at Croydon Athletic on Saturday.

The Angels went into the break with a 3-1 lead, courtesy of goals from winger, John Westcott, midfielder Anthony Storey and defender James Donovan and Luke Piscina, who started the game, added a fourth later on.

“Saturday went well, they’re always difficult,” said Warrilow. “We didn’t want any complacency set in.

“We gave the lads on the bench ninety minutes, and the majority of the lads starting, at least 45 minutes.

“We played some great football in the first half and the second half was a bit even, kept a clean sheet in the second half and it served its purpose (as) we needed a game.”

Warrilow will assess the fitness of winger Westcott and midfielder Michael Phillips before they take to the field at Bridge Avenue.

“John Westcott got a whack on the head Saturday, he should be ok,” revealed Warrilow. “Michael Phillips had some dental work done today so we will have to look at him.”

Ade Olorunda is not expected to be risked, especially as the former Hastings United man is trying to regain his fitness following his metatarsal injury.

“He’s not fit. He done some light jogging on Saturday. He will be a little while. We won’t rush him back,” said Warrilow.

The former Horsham assistant manager was impressed with AFC Hornchurch when the Essex side dumped Bromley out of the FA Cup in the second qualifying round.

And he said: “The one thing with our league, you can watch teams one week and they can be completely different the next week.

“I’ll be treating them the same as other sides. If we can play like we did at home to Horsham (a 4-0 win), I’m sure we can come away with three points.”

The Urchins handed former Tonbridge goalkeeper Jerome John his debut in their convincing 2-0 win over Merstham in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Warrilow admitted his side have yet reached the standards that they reached regularly last season - but are well capable.

“By our own standards, admittedly we haven’t been playing well,” he said.

“I was happy with the second half at Margate (a 0-0 draw) and played well against Horsham. We turned the corner with regards to performance levels.

“We’ve not hit the heights of last year but we haven’t lost in the last five or six games.”

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

AFC Hornchurch v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 14^th October 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Stadium, Bridge Avenue, Upminster, Essex RM14 2LX