I believe the boys have it in them to succeed this season, says Tonbridge Angels assistant manager Barry Moore

TONBRIDGE ANGELS assistant manager Barry Moore says his injury-hit squad have the willpower to be a success this season.

The Angels are in the top six in the Ryman Premier League table with a league playing record of 11 wins, five draws and six defeats and Steve McKimm’s side are level on points with Leiston, who occupy the final play-off berth.

Tonbridge Angels were held to a 2-2 draw at home to their only Kent rivals Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day, in front of a disappointing crowd of 586 at Longmead Stadium.

Joe Taylor’s 17^th goal of the season gave Neil Cugley’s side the lead, before Alex Afori’s double gave Tonbridge the advantage, but Ronnie Dolan’s free-kick with seven minutes remaining ensured the bragging rights and points were shared.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t take three points against Folkestone as I thought we had a large percentage of possession over the 90 minutes,” reflected Moore.

“I felt both their goals were fortunate.  The first was a big deflection and the second Ronnie Dolan hit under the wall. Apart from that I think they had one effort on goal, which in any game we would have been happy with.”

Tonbridge Angels travel to tenth-placed Worthing on Saturday and are on the road to fourteenth-placed Billericay Town on Bank Holiday Monday, 2 January 2017.  Both games kicking-off at 15:00.

“In regards to New Years’ Eve we will be confident in getting a result with a couple more players’ coming back in to the squad after injuries,” said Moore.

“A big thing has been made of our terrible luck on injuries so far this year but it happens and we are still up and around the top of the league with probably only 50% of games played with a fully fit team, so the whole squad has done well to dig in at times to get results.

“We know Worthing will be very tough on their astro-pitch because having watched them play very good attacking football with a mix of experience and talented youth.  Saying that, our boys are always prepared as best we can and believe every game is winnable.

“Looking at 2017 that is when the teams who go on a good run like Hampton did end up top or not far behind, so we will keep giving 100% in preparation and with my New Years’ resolution of a healthy, fit squad to help us push for promotion, I believe the boys have it in them to succeed this season but I’m sure a lot of the teams in this league feel the same.”

Moore added: “A Happy New Year to you all!”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk

Worthing  v  Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 31^st December 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ