Angels want sunny outlook

Tonbridge

Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm is hoping their game with leaders Wealdstone gets the green light at Longmead on Saturday.

Angels saw their rearranged derby with Maidstone in National League South called off for a second time on Tuesday night due to a waterlogged pitch.

They’ve only played once at home since mid-December and McKimm knows the challenges that brings – on and off the field.

“It’s a bit disappointing that the games are being called off,” said McKimm. “We’ve got a problem with the pitch that the chairman has highlighted.

“It’s hard for us in terms of not playing games but financially as well. We’ve had two games cancelled recently, including Maidstone which is a big one that will bring revenue in.

“They are working hard to get Saturday’s game on against Wealdstone, who travel in good numbers.

“We look at the finances as well as playing games. It’s not our sole income, but it’s disappointing that we haven’t had a home game since Chippenham (on January 4).” Angels don’t have a game next weekend, either, with Chelmsford in FA Trophy action.

They want to play as they are unbeaten in four but McKimm knows the break gives his squad extra time to recover from injuries.

“It’s stop-start at the moment,” he added. “Is it a good thing because of niggles or is it bad as we want to continue our run? “Our pitch has been fantastic for the last couple of years, we’ve won groundsman-ofthe-year twice, but with the weather we’ve had there’s been nowhere for the rain to go.”

If they play, keeping Wealdstone at bay will be a challenge against a team scoring goals for fun.

They hit seven against Bath in the league last weekend before repeating the feat in a midweek county cup game. “They’ve got one hell of a squad,” said McKimm. “They are top of the league because they are the best side and the most consistent. “They’ve got a squad that they’ve added to because when you are up there, you want to add to it.

“It’s not going to faze us. It didn’t at their place and it took a dubious penalty to get them going that day.”

Angels drew 3-3 at Billericay last Saturday, Jason Williams scoring twice.