Trophy tie a chance for more memories
Tonbridge Angels
Tonbridge are out to make more history in the FA Trophy this weekend.
Angels’ run to the last 16 is the furthest they’ve even been in the competition.
They’ve already taken the scalps of two National League sides in Torquay and King’s Lynn and bid to make it three at home to high-flying Bromley on Saturday.
The Ravens are fourth in the table, five points off the top with a game in hand, and last month manager Andy Woodman was approached by Gillingham.
He stayed put, and Gills turned to Neil Harris instead, with Angels boss Steve McKimm in no doubt about the size of the task facing his side.
Torquay may be a bigger name but Bromley are a stronger side this season.
“We’ve played King’s Lynn, who are down the bottom, Torquay, who are mid-table, and now we’ve got Bromley who are flying high at the top,” said McKimm.
“They’re doing really well, they’ve got a very good squad and a good management team.
“Obviously it got noticed he (Woodman) was good because Gillingham wanted him.
“It’s an ambitious club, they’ve always had that ambition to do better, they’re pushing hard and I don’t see why they can’t get to the Football League.
“It will be extremely tough for us but we’ll do our homework, as we always do, and give it our best shot.
“The players and staff together have made history for our club but we don’t want to sit there and bask in that, we want to try and get to the next round.
“Make no bones about it, it will be very difficult, but it’s a oneoff game and you never know.” Tonbridge will be two wins from a Wembley final if they upset Bromley - runners-up in the Trophy in 2018.
But McKimm believes last season’s FA Cup first-round tie against Bradford is still the bigger game.
“I don’t think it’s bigger than Bradford, that was a bigger game for the club,” he said. “Yes, the FA Trophy is a realistic chance to get to Wembley but we hadn’t been to the first round of the FA
Cup for nearly 50 years, and that was something for our club to achieve.
“Football is about making memories. The players made history last year in the FA Cup and this season’s squad have done it in the FA Trophy.” Meanwhile, McKimm paid tribute to Sonny Miles after the Angels skipper made a club-record 377th league start in their 3-1 win at National South leaders Dorking last weekend.
Tommy Wood’s double made it seven goals in as many games for the in-form striker and Joe Turner also struck as Angels ended Dorking’s 10-match winning streak.
“As much as Sonny moans, he’s a dream to manage,” said McKimm.
“He’s a quality player that sometimes doesn’t believe in himself and the ability he’s got because he’s seen as this head-it-and-kick-it centre-half but he’s much more than that. “The players look up to him, they respect him, as he respects them.
“I’ve got to say this, and this isn’t nostalgia talking, I’m glad I’ve had the chance to manage him.”
Tonbridge lost 3-1 at Eastbourne on Tuesday night, Adam Coombes with their goal.