Kentish Football 
Tonbridge Angels 5-1 Tunbridge Wells - We want to close the gap between the two teams, says Larkin
Saturday 13th July 2013
TONBRIDGE ANGELS 5-1 TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13th July 2013
Stephen McCartney reports from Longmead Stadium
TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he was pleased with the performances from his new players’ after his side silenced their noisy neighbours on the hottest day of the year so far.
The Angels’ claimed the local bragging rights as well as the George Piper Courier Cup as their Conference South quality proved the difference against Tunbridge Wells in a 5-1 win at Longmead Stadium.
Tonbridge Angels chairman Steve Churcher used his programme notes to congratulate Tunbridge Wells for reaching the FA Carlsberg Vase Final at Wembley and described them as their “noisy neighbours from over the hill.”
Former Braintree Town winger Ryan Watts drilled in a debut goal to extend Angels’ lead, before the returning Luke Blewden scored the first of his two goals in eleven minutes, which was sandwiched by Richard Sinden’s consolation for Tunbridge Wells.
“I was very pleased with the new signings, pleased with the way we hunted the ball back when we lost it,” said Warrilow afterwards.
“Our decision making was good. We weren’t chasing balls for a long time.
“Their keeper done really well in the first half to keep the score down a little bit, but overall 5-1, really pleased. Lots of positives from all the new faces and we’ve got some good competition this year.”
Warrilow, who has funds for one more player, has threatened to wield the axe if a trialist impresses him during pre-season.
He said: “The lads that aren’t on contract, unfortunately they’ve got to work hard because if the trialists’ come in and give me something that I think is a positive for us then I’ll be pushing them and signing them on.”
Despite his side’s heavy defeat, Tunbridge Wells manager Martin Larkin took the positives from their second defeat on the trot.
“It’s a good work-out,” said Larkin, whose side went down to a 2-1 defeat at Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United last Tuesday.
“We were in two weeks ago fitness wise so we’re looking pretty fit.
“It’s a massive step-up. They’ve got some very good players and that’s what you expect at that level. This was the whole purpose of our pre-season. We wanted to get the Maidstone and Angels’ games together early, give our guys a kick up the a**e and a reminder of what work is needed for the rest of the year and that’s what it’s done.
“After the first goal here today we certainly held our own. Second half it was one of those. They’ve got a very much larger squad where they can bring players on and it’s 100 degrees, whatever it is out there. It was always going to happen.”
Larkin added: “Lots of positives from the game. Lots of minutes in the legs. I had a look at some of the lads up against very, very strong opposition so yes it was very positive.
“After they scored their first goal, I thought it was very, very even, but we can go through the goals but it doesn’t matter because it’s pre-season.”
Tonbridge Angels’ first chance arrived inside the opening three minutes when Nathan Green (who impressed during the first half down the left) whipped in a cross and Akokhia glanced his towering header wide.
Tunbridge Wells’ left-winger Keelan Mooney struck a speculative left-footed drive from 30-yards, which was never going to beat former Havant & Waterlooville keeper Clark Masters, who gathered the rolling ball beside the post.
Tunbridge Wells’ keeper Christopher Oladogba pulled off a string of fine saves to enhance his reputation as being one of the best goalkeepers in Kent.
He got down low to his right to thwart former Crystal Palace striker Nathan Pinney after a clever free-kick routine involving Green and Phillip Appiah.
But Tonbridge Angels opened their goalscoring account for the new season within 19 minutes.
Warrilow was pleased that both of his left-sided players combined to set up a chance which was clinically despatched by Akokhia.
Tunbridge Wells’ skipper Jason Bourne kept his distance as Green probed down the left, before Green played the ball to over-lapping Jon Heath, who was given time and space to whip in an excellent cross towards the far post for Akokhia to hook his right-footed volley past Oladogba from six-yards.
Warrilow said: “Great play down the left! We went three at the back today. If we go four against Welling or not (on Tuesday night) is another thing. It shows when you use a system to its potential it works.
“We got a few crosses in today. I think Nathan and Henry delivered some great balls in but if anything I got a little bit annoyed when they (Pinney and Akokhia) tried to walk the ball in the net a few times instead of finishing it off, but it’s pre-season, you’ll forgive them for that.”
Speaking about the goalscoring number 10, Warrilow added: “He was at Wimbledon last year. He played with Nathan Pinney at Crystal Palace apparently in the youth team. I got a call from his agent and he’s come down to train with us and he’s done well. He works really hard. I keep saying it, but that’s what I want this year. I want the lads to work hard.”
Tunbridge Wells came within inches of equalising when Jon Pilbeam played in a low cross from the right into Jack Harris feet and the highly-rated striker laid the ball off to Carl Cornell, who curled a first time left-footed shot past the far post.
Lee Browning swept the ball out to Green who whipped in another left-footed cross and Pinney brought the ball under his spell inside the Tunbridge Wells penalty area but he lacked the composure and lashed his right-footed shot over the bar when he should have called Oladogba into action.
Masters pulled off an excellent save to deny Tunbridge Wells a deserved equaliser on the half-hour mark.
Angels’ right-back Charlie Slocombe allowed the ball to sail over his head to release Harris down the inside left channel and he cut the ball back to Cornell, who steadied himself, looked up and curled a right-footed shot towards goal from sixteen-yards, which forced Masters to dive full length to his left to tip the shot around the post.
Warrilow said: “He done alright. He didn’t have a lot to do. He’s struggling a little bit with his hamstring but he’s six foot four. I want him commanding his box. His distribution is good and he’ll be fine once he gets going.
“I know he was highly-rated and sorely missed at Havant & Waterlooville. He won player-of-the-year down there. I’ve known him for a while and I’m glad when someone like Worgs (Lee Worgan) goes (to Maidstone United) I’m glad to be able to add someone like Clark.”
Tonbridge Angels doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Akokhia showed glimpses of his talent and skill when he beat four red-shirted defenders down the left before cutting the ball along to the near post for Pinney, who used quick feet to create space before laying the ball off to Muggeridge, who drilled a right-footed angled shot across Oladogba to nestle the ball into the bottom far corner.
Warrilow said: “Again, good sets, good decision making. Henry’s finished it well.”
Warrilow revealed that Muggeridge has become a role model for the youngsters at the club.
“We’ve looked after H,” he said. “We’ve brought him in and we’ve got the Academy going now and we’ve got that little carrot where we can bring some local lads in. Luke Blewden’s going to do a little bit for us as well. It’s just something that we’re trying to grow as a club.
“If we can’t match the money on the pitch we’re trying to make it up like Boreham Wood do. They pay some lads to coach the Academy and we’re bringing that facility to our club as well now.”
Appiah released Muggeridge with a raking pass and the winger whipped in a precise cross for Akokhia to rise and power a header towards the roof of the net, which Oladogba jumped and clawed the ball away high to his right and recovered well to put Akokhia off as the striker blasted the rebound over the bar.
A couple more chances fell to the home side when Green whipped in a low cross across the face of the penalty area for Muggeridge to flash a first time right-footed shot wide of the post before Muggeridge twisted and turned and his near post shot was saved low down by Oladogba.
Tunbridge Wells squandered an excellent chance in the 40th minute when Harris played a clever pass to Pilbeam down the right and he whipped in a cross towards the far post but the unmarked Mooney could only direct his header past the near post from eight-yards when he only had Masters to beat.
Oladoba made a fine reaction save low down to his right to deny Muggeridge again towards the end of the first half.
Warrilow said of the Tunbridge Wells keeper: “He kept the score down in the first half. It could’ve really been five at half-time. He’s made some great saves.”
Larkin added: “He’s class. Everyone knows his class. He’s a very good goalkeeper. At the end of the day that’s why he’s in goal for! They’re in goal to make saves. When goalkeeper’s make saves teams suddenly get called lucky for some strange reason but he’s there to make saves. He’s a very good goalkeeper.”
Larkin explained why he didn’t make any changes at the break before making his six substitutions on the hour-mark, whereas Warrilow made seven at the break and went on to use every one of his 22-man squad.
Larkin said: “We wanted to give them minutes and gave them game time. We haven’t got a massive, massive squad so it’s a case of getting them fit. We knew ten minutes at the start of the second half is where the fitness can really improve for someone and that’s what we wanted to do.
Tonbridge Angels created the first chance of the second half when crisp one touch passing inside the box involving Muggeridge, Chris Piper and Blewden resulted in Muggeridge slamming the ball straight at Oladogba’s legs inside the opening five minutes.
Tonbridge Angels’ substitute keeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens was called into making the first of his two excellent saves in the 53rd minute.
The player-goalkeeper coach dived full-length to his right to tip the ball around the post after Cornell clipped a right-footed free-kick over the wall and towards the far corner.
But Oladogba couldn’t prevent Tonbridge Angels racing into a 3-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
Muggeridge whipped in a low cross from the right, which went behind Blewden, who had made a run into the penalty box. The ball came out to Watts, who cracked a first time left-footed drive from 25-yards, which screamed into the near post leaving the keeper rooted.
Warrilow said: “Great ball in again, good composure and a great strike!
“He’s a good player. Technically we know about him for years from (Ryman Premier League side) Harrow Borough. I tried to get him last year when he went to (Conference Premier side) Braintree and managed to track him down this year. He’ll be a great addition for the club. I think he can go on the other side as well and cut in so we’ll have that string in our bow as well there.”
Chalmers-Stevens excelled again in the 56th minute.
Cornwell whipped in a free-kick from the right and Harris sent a powerful header towards the left-corner, which forced the keeper to dive to his right to claw the ball away with a strong right-arm.
Larkin expects the highly-rated 19-year-old striker to be his main man again this season.
He said: “Jack’s working hard over the summer on his fitness, it’s got him very, very sharp, which is good. In the two games against Maidstone and the Angels he’s looked very, very good up against Conference and Ryman centre halves so I’m expecting big things from him.”
Warrilow added: “Scotty’s pulled some great saves off as well, the header from the boy Harris, the free-kick. We have to stop giving silly free-kicks away.”
Warrilow admitted afterwards that he was impressed with find Appiah and the strong central midfielder bent a shot into Oladogba’s gloves before Blewden curled a right-footed shot just over the top of the far post.
“I wanted to give the boy Pinney and Appiah a little bit more time because they had seasons off last year when both of them fell out of love with the game. Pinney, obviously at Carshalton, got back into it, but Appiah didn’t and this year they can’t wait and I think we’ve got a little gem there.”
Tonbridge Angels’ fourth goal arrived in the 59th minute.
Appiah, who was yards inside Tunbridge Wells’ half of the pitch, clipped the ball forward to release Muggeridge down the right and he centred the ball towards the near post where substitute Blewden beat his marker to hook the ball across Oladogba and the ball bounced into the net from six-yards.
Warrilow said: “It was a great ball. Phillip Appiah has picked out Henry. To be honest I thought Henry went too early but a great ball from Appiah and a great finish by Luke. A great run and he got in front of his man and we want to keep Luke in the box so he gets goals.”
Warrilow admitted the former youth team striker needed time out at Folkestone Invicta and Crawley Down Gatwick to return a better player.
“Charlie Slocombe was at Crawley Down last year. We sent George Crimmen down to Whitstable. We had a few out last year but the problem is when you send them out you lose them. I lost Luke but we got him back, but he wanted to come back. There’s still a lot for Luke to learn, he knows that.
“I’m not disrespecting the lad because he’s an honest lad that works his socks off and I said to him when you hear me having a go at you I want to push you on and if he stays in the box and causes havoc in there he’ll be a player.
“He’s got two goals today. He chased everything down and he wanted to come back to Tonbridge as well, which is a plus for us.”
Tunbridge Wells pulled a goal back four minutes later when a mistake from Sonny Miles allowed Brad Large to release Sinden through on goal and the striker rolled his left-footed shot across Chalmers-Stevens into an empty net.
Larkin said: “It’s a little burst into the box. He’s been working hard in the summer to keep his fitness up, which is good. It was a very well taken goal.”
Warrilow was not pleased with the goal, adding: “It’s what I hate! It’s exactly what I didn’t want! Sloppy c**p goal! They didn’t have to work for it. We gave it to them – and that’s what we’ve got to stop this year!
“Luckily enough we were 4-0 up but if you’re only 2-0 up if that happens in Conference South it gives everyone (in the opposition) a lift. There was no need for it!
“There’s a time to play and a time not to play and I keep telling the boys don’t be frightened to put your foot through the ball to get us up the pitch. That’s the most disappointing thing for me today was the goal. Sonny knows but no need for it!”
Tonbridge Angels got in behind their opponents back four again when striker Raphael Kay cut the ball back for Sam Beales, whose shot was palmed away by the busy Oladogba, who gathered at the second attempt.
Tonbridge Angels’ fifth-goal duly arrived with 20 minutes remaining when Miles made up for his earlier mistake to clip a long ball over the top and Blewden shrugged off a challenge from defender Scott Whibley before slotting a right-footed shot into the empty net.
Warriow admitted he didn’t mind Miles playing the long-ball game for their last goal.
“When their playing a high line there’s nothing wrong with going long,” he said.
“If teams are going to come up the pitch with a high line and we know we’re going to turn them and that’s what happened. It wasn’t just a boom. He’s drilled it in Sonny, so he’s made up for his mistake.”
Larkin didn’t reflect on all of the Angels’ goals but was most disappointed with this one.
“They took their goals very well,” he said. “It was only the fifth one where we thought Scott could’ve got his body across Luke and put him off a little bit.
“I don’t really know what people really expect. They’re Conference South players against Step Five players so they’re going to create chances and technically if you line them up one versus one, they’re better players.”
Tunbridge Wells had the final say in the game when Harris teed up Joe Fuller, who flashed a right-footed drive wide of the post.
Larkin would like to play Tonbridge Angels next season – but wants to be a Ryman League club by then.
“We’re very grateful for Tommy to play the players that they did because it’s not usual for teams to play at our level,” said Larkin.
“We’re trying to build a relationship between the two clubs for this kind of game for a couple of years’ now and we had an opportunity to do it and we didn’t disgrace ourselves.
“We had five lads away who would’ve started if it was a league game. I feel a little bit frustrated for us.
“It was good. Both teams will take a lot out of it. The fitness they’ll get for playing in that heat for an hour and a bit will certainly hold everyone in good stead.”
Tunbridge Wells are tipped as favourites to win the Southern Counties East title this season.
Larkin no longer wants his club to be three levels lower than their neighbours.
He said: “I want to win the league because I want to get out of the league. You look at their players they’ve got here and the set-up they’ve got here you want to close the gap if you can between the two teams and the only way we can do that is to win our league and getting out of it.
“We firmly believe that we’ve got seven or eight of our starting eleven shouldn’t be playing in our league but we’re going to compete again. The potential of Tunbridge Wells is massive, but if we do go up the crowds will increase again and again and again.
“There’s a feeling within the group that if we don’t do it this year the group will break up and therefore there’s internal pressure to win this league which means we have to deliver, which makes it exciting and that’s what we want to be.
“We were under pressure to win those Vase games and came through so now we’ll apply the same intensity to the league. The priority is the league this year.”
Warrilow would play Tunbridge Wells again next season too, after originally using this annual fixture to blood youngsters.
He admitted: “I’ll be perfectly honest with you, the reason I didn’t want to play it before was because I got feedback that teams would kick lumps out of us and that’s being perfectly honest. The main thing this year was not to get any injuries. I’ve had a horrendous time with injuries since I’ve come here.
“Tunbridge Wells didn’t do that today. They played it the right way and as long as it’s like that I can’t see any reason why not.”
Tonbridge Angels: Clark Masters (Scott Chalmers-Stevens 46), Charlie Slocombe (James Pass 61), Jon Heath (Amadou Barry 46), Phillip Appiah (Ryan Cheek 61), Gary Elphick (Sonny Miles 46), Nathan Green (Ryan Watts 46), Lee Browning (David Ijaha 46), Ollie Bankole (Chris Piper 46), Nathan Pinney (Raphael Kay 61), Emmanuel Akokhia (Luke Blewden 46), Henry Muggeridge (Sam Beales 61).
Goals: Emmanuel Akokhia 19, Henry Muggeridge 34, Ryan Watts 53, Luke Blewden 59, 70
Tunbridge Wells: Christopher Oladogba, Jason Bourne (Stuart Thorley 60), Lewis Mingle (Tom Carr 60), Ryan Waterman, Scott Whibley, Clayton Cooper (Jason Barton 60), Jon Pilbeam (Brett Ince 60), Joe Fuller, Jack Harris, Carl Cornell (Richard Sinden 60), Keelan Mooney (Brad Large 60).
Goal: Richard Sinden 63
Attendance: 301
Referee: Mr Peter Killip (Crystal Palace, London SE20)
Assistants: Mr Kevin Greenhead (Bexleyheath) & Mr David Lunani (Bromley)
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