We want to stay in the FA Trophy for as long as possible, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has been handed a boost ahead of their trip to Bishop’s Stortford in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.


Bristol Rovers have granted permission for on-loan pair Michael Boateng and Kayne McLaggon to remain at Longmead Stadium for another month, which is great news going into the Third Qualifying Round tie at Woodside Park.

Warrilow, 47, said: “We’ve got them for another month, that only got sorted out last night.  Other club’s have phoned and enquired for the pair.  As I said from day one, once people come and play for Tonbridge they get looked after.  The lads’ are thoroughly enjoying their football, the set-up and the lads’ and they wanted to stay.  We’ve got them for another month and it helps us with strength in depth squad wise.

“Since they’ve come in it’s no coincidence we’ve gone on a run as we’ve added quality to the squad.”

Warrilow takes his side to the most southerly Conference North club – Bishop’s Stortford – on Saturday looking to win and to reach the First Round of The FA Carlsberg Trophy.

The Hertfordshire side have struggled since their controversial switch to Blue Square Bet North and lie third-from-bottom with 15 points from 18 games.

But Warrilow, whose side are in tenth place in Blue Square Bet South with 27 points from 19 games said: “Irrelevant of their league position, I know a couple of their players. It’s similar to ours that the teams down the bottom, if anyone things you should t urn up and win you’re going to come unstuck as  they’ve got some good players over there and on their day they’re capable of beating anyone so we have to make sure we go there and play with the belief that we’ve done in the month of November and if we do that  we won’t be a million miles off.”

Warrilow wants an extended run in the competition, especially as they crashed out of The FA Cup at the first hurdle earlier in the season.

He said: “It’s alright coming in late in the competition but when you come in late you are going to have a hard game.   Obviously going out of the FA Cup to Chelmsford we want to say in this as long as possible.

“This is our FA Cup at non-league level.  We had a good time when I first came to the club with Oxford and Wimbledon.  It will be nice to bring these times back this year.

“It will be nice to have a Cup competition running in tandem with the league programme.”

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

Bishop’s Stortford  v  Tonbridge Angels
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 26^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodside Park, Dunmow Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5RG