We play Fisher, which is always a very tough place to go, so we know we’ll need to be at our best if we are to get anything from the game, says Tunbridge Wells boss Richard Styles

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Richard Styles says it was important to claim the local bragging rights over Crowborough Athletic.

The Wells claimed a 4-1 win over Sean Muggeridge’s side at Culverden Stadium on 28 December, which puts them in the top six in the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 31 points from their 16 league outings.

Tunbridge Wells are 15 points adrift of leaders Beckenham Town, who are six points adrift of second-placed Corinthian.

“Our last game of 2019 provided us with a big three points in a local derby against Crowborough.  We won the game 4-1 and I thought we were good value for that,” said Styles.

“It’s always important to win local derbies as they’re such big games for the fans’ and the club’s involved.

“The game also allowed us to get back on track with putting points on the board and take into the New Year.

“I was particularly pleased and impressed with the goals we scored and the quality of each strike, against a Crowborough side who were very resilient.”

Styles takes his side to fifteenth-placed Fisher tomorrow.

“We play Fisher, which is always a very tough place to go, so we know we’ll need to be at our best if we are to get anything from the game,” said Styles.

“Our league position is very positive and it gives a platform to work towards for the remainder of the season.

“We know what we are in amongst now and what we are striving for.  Overall, as a group, we are happy with the way the first five months have gone after putting a new group together.

“We just need to keep working hard as the boys and staff have since we started and keep putting points on the board. 

“Team wise were also in a good position with no players currently injured.  We’ve managed to get through the festive period unscathed, which is always a worry for managers during this time.

“We played three games in December but still continued training etc, so overall I’m happy with the boys fitness and commitment levels and were fresh and ready to start the year as we mean to go, on Saturday.”

Styles said he was happy to have strengthened his squad this week by bringing in former Canterbury City striker Matt Day and goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton comes in from third-placed side Sheppey United.

He said: “Both are young but have valued experience and quality at this level and above and I feel these additions to what we already have will give the squad an added boost to take us forward and on for the rest of the season.”

Jason Thompson is Tunbridge Wells' leading goalscorer with 10 goals, while Rob Brown and Jamie Yila have both scored five goals each for Fisher.

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.com

Fisher  v  Tunbridge Wells
Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 4 January 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at St Paul’s Stadium, Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 5EF