Double delight for Angels
Tonbridge Angels
Tonbridge have been handed another big boost after they made a winning start to Jay Saunders’ reign at the club.
The Angels players trained on their new 3G pitch for the first time this week ahead of their trip to Slough on Saturday.
Against recently-relegated Weymouth, there were goals for new signings Femi Akinwande and Tetteh-Quaye Addy in a 3-1 victory at the weekend, sandwiched between a stunning Sonny Miles strike.
It was the perfect start to life under Saunders for Tonbridge but the Angels boss was equally excited about their return to training at Longmead on Tuesday night.
He said: “It’s brilliant to be back there. We have been away for everything - from games to pre-season training - so to get back to the ground is great.
“It’s great we can go back to the ground which looks unbelievable.
“The boys are looking forward to training on the new pitch. That will help us start preparing for Saturday.”
With Angels beginning their National League South campaign with three successive away games, Saunders was delighted to get their first win on the board at the first attempt.
“Obviously we knew it was going to be tough away from home with Weymouth having come down. But the boys took everything we said on board,” Saunders reflected.
“It was a tough game and a tough pitch. Every manager will tell you that they want that first win as quickly as they can.
“Knowing we have three away games, we wanted that first win as quickly as we could get it. It takes the pressure off, if you like.
“First and foremost, you want to keep a clean sheet and be solid. I was disappointed with the goal we conceded because I felt we deserved a clean sheet.
“Femi scored from a corner routine we have worked on so, straight away, that was satisfying. Sonny Miles scored an unbelievable goal - the best he has ever scored and one of the goals of the season already.
“Their goal, there was probably a foul on Sonny but that’s not given which is disappointing.
“They then had a spell where they throw everything at us. But we held them out and TQ finished it off.”
While scoring three goals was pleasing for Tonbridge’s boss, seeing his forward line, midfield and defence get a goal apiece was equally satisfying.
Saunders, who says there is an outside chance defender Ben Swift could be fit to return at Slough, said: “When I came in, I made it quite clear that I was not going to rip up the defence.
“It was the other end we wanted to work on.
“TQ and Femi, as new players, scoring is great. It’s important our defenders score goals as well. So it was nice to go away from home and score three goals - I’m not too sure how often that happened last season!
“It’s a nice start - all it is, is a start - but it’s pleasing.”
Slough lost 3-1 at Havant on the opening day. Tonbridge then visit Dover on Tuesday.
“As a management team, we set a points targets for our first three games. The boys moved themselves a long way towards that last week,” Saunders said.
“The next two games are really tough, we have Slough and then Dover. Dover will be a good game. Regardless of where they are in the table, it’s a Kent derby so it’s tough.
“But after the Slough game, it’s one we can look forward to.”