You always have to do better than what you did last year, says Tunbridge Wells boss Richard Styles

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Richard Styles says he wants his side to improve on last season.

The Wells were knocked out of both The FA Vase and The FA Cup this week having lost 2-1 at K Sports last Saturday and 5-1 at Isthmian Premier Division side Haringey Borough on Tuesday night.

“We’re disappointed to go out of the Vase,” admitted Styles.

“I’m realistic, I’m honest and I’ll always hold my hands up if we’re not good enough, as well as I’ll hold my hands up if we’re really good and we knew as a dressing room and the players knew they let each other down on Saturday against a very unique K Sports side shall I say.

“But full credit to them for winning the game and getting through. We’re disappointed but we won’t really dwell on it and the boys have put their heads up and came to a very difficult Haringey Borough and performed and I’m really pleased they’ve shown a lot of character and a lot of guts and a lot of determination and that’s certainly enough for me to take on board.”

Tunbridge Wells return to Culverden Stadium on Saturday to play a top-of-the-table clash against dark horses Welling Town.

Managed by their chairman, Kevin Oakes has guided the Thamesmead-based club to four league wins out of four and sit proudly at the top of the table, while second-placed Tunbridge Wells have won all three of their league outings.

“We’re looking forward to it now, we’re ready to go and we’re looking forward to the game,” added Styles.

“We’ll prepare for that now and focus all of our attentions on that. It will be a good test for us, that’s for sure and it will be nice to be back home.

“It’s far too early to talk about (it being a top-of-the-table-clash). All we want to do is get as many points on the board as early as possible.”

There is some big money in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division this season and given the size of their club and fan-base, Tunbridge Wells are expected to be up there in the promotion picture.

“There is a lot of money in this division but it’s not coming from Tunbridge Wells, I can assure you that,” insisted the former Lordswood manager.

“We will build on what we did last year (fifth-place), we will look to grow on what we done last year and show progress and that’s what we’ll do.

“There is a lot of money in this league but that doesn’t guarantee success. It adds a bit of pressure to what’s needed.

“We’re doing the right things at Tunbridge Wells on and off the pitch. I’ve got a good set-up, I’ve got a good set-up of staff in all departments that I’m pleased with.

“The players are all buying into that, the club are buying into that and they’re doing the right things off the field so we just want to make progress.  You always have to do better than you did the previous year.”

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.com

Tunbridge Wells  v  Welling Town
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 25 September 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG