Warrilow: We must keep good habits - EXCLUSIVE

Tommy Warrilow got his Tonbridge Angels’ managerial career off to a dream start - a 2-1 home victory over Carshalton Athletic yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Scott Gooding eased the nerves by giving the Angels a 24^th minute lead before striker Jon Main netted his nineteenth goal of the season early in the second half.

Despite a late Carshalton Athletic rally - and goal - the Kent side sealed their fourth league win of the season, and confidence is high going into their next game.

Fifth placed side AFC Wimbledon are the visitors on Tuesday night, and the 43-year-old former Horsham assistant manager, is relishing another chance to plot the south-west Londoners’ downfall.

Along with John Maggs, Warrilow ended AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup campaign at the third qualifying round stage, winning a replay on penalties, as Horsham now look forward to a second round date with Swansea City.

Warrilow, however, chose to leave Horsham in the week leading up to the west Sussex club’s FA Cup first round clash against Maidenhead United, missing out on their stunning 4-1 win, to take charge of their Ryman Premier League rivals Tonbridge Angels.

But the move was worthwhile as Tonbridge Angels played to their full potential in Warrilow’s first game in charge.

“Obviously delighted with the result,” Warrilow said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“Anyone at the game could see we created a few good chances and should have won the game at half-time.”

But he was pleased with the response from his new players , having trained on two occasions leading up to his first game in charge.

“We had the initial training on Tuesday and Thursday and the lads were spot on, all the players gave 100% and worked hard for each other and it was important that we got the three points.”

Warrilow praised the fans for their reception towards the club’s new management team.

“They might have been a bit apprehensive as well to see what style of football was to be played,” said Warrilow, whose assistant is Cliff Cant.

“After the first fifteen minutes they got behind the lads and gave us a good reception.”

Looking ahead to their next game, Tonbridge Angels shouldn’t fear their big-spending and high profile opponents.

He said: “There’s no easy games and we’ll give them the respect as we know we’re going to be in for a battle.

“The games are coming thick and fast now. That’s one down, I know it’s an old cliché, but we’re taking one game at a time.

“We’ve just been down there five minutes, it’s important that the good habits start appearing and keep up that sort of form really.

“I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks to get the players settled down to play the style of football that we want - and the fans appreciate.”

But Warrilow knows his new side are more than capable of turning the table upside down.

“You look at some of the results, bottom teams beating the top teams. It’s frustrating as anyone can beat anyone,” he said, as Tonbridge are currently in the bottom four in the Ryman Premier League table.

“AFC Wimbledon will work hard, they have got the resources with better players but hopefully I’ll find out on Tuesday who can raise their game to that challenge.”

And with his former club grabbing the national headlines, Warrilow added: “I’m delighted for everyone concerned down there.

“It took three or four years but we’ve had success down there.

“When I took over (as assistant manager) we were bottom of the league.”

And Warrilow is looking to emulate that progress in west Kent.

He said: “We will move up the league and play the way we want the game to be played. Our target is to progress as a team and as a club.”

Following yesterday’s fine display, Tonbridge Angels officials are expecting a four-figure crowd on Tuesday night.

Extra security measures have been put in place, and turnstiles will open at 6pm.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites:

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Tonbridge Angels v AFC Wimbledon
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 13^th November 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW