TONBRIDGE: MCKIMM LEFT FRUSTRATED DESPITE REACHING CUP FINAL AS INJURIES CONTINUE TO MOUNT

Tonbridge’s injury problems have taken the shine off reaching the League Cup final for manager Steve McKimm. Angels’ patched-up side beat Dulwich 3-1 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night thanks to two goals from Alex Akrofi and Nathan Elder’s header. But McKimm can’t get a lengthy casualty list out of his head, with Angels picking up four more injuries in a 1-1 league draw at Staines on Saturday. Tom Parkinson is out for the season after breaking his ankle, with Jack Parter (hamstring) and James Folkes (knee) also forced off, while Ugo Udogi finished the game with damaged ankle ligaments. They join keeper Anthony Di Bernardo (knee), George Beavan (dislocated finger) and Damien Scannell (groin) on the sidelines. McKimm said: “From the players’ point of view, I hope all the injuries haven’t taken the shine off reaching a cup final but, for me personally, it has. “I’m pleased for the club and the players and the supporters but I’m losing patience with these injuries. “It’s nothing we’ve done to the players in training but it’s so frustrating.” McKimm has, though, been boosted by the return of defender Sonny Miles, three months after shoulder surgery. The centre-half played at Staines as Nick Wheeler’s second-half goal earned a point and again in the cup. McKimm said: “Sonny was going to play a reserve game but with Damien Scannell’s groin tight, he came back into the first team. “He was remarkable. He’s a massive player for me and the club and he’s been a big miss.” Tonbridge host Dulwich again on Saturday, this time in the Ryman League Premier Division. Angels are fourth, with McKimm expecting the seventh-placed visitors to be muchchanged. He said: “They had nine people warming up on Tuesday and, of those, seven will start on Saturday I’d imagine. “That’s the difference when I look at my squad with all the injuries we’ve got. They will be nice and fresh but the boys rolled their sleeves up on Tuesday night and that’s what we’ll need to do again.” Teenage right-back Liam Smith has returned from a loan spell at Division 1 South Chatham.