THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW –TONBRIDGE ANGELS (HOME)

Angels from the realms of the Kent Weald wing their way into East Dulwich tonight. Come and worship at the Hill.

It has been a tough return to the Isthmian Premier Division for the Angels, relegated from the Conference South at the end of the previous campaign. Not only are they struggling in the boondocks of the division, two points shy of the relegation slots, but fans must look on in envy as Kentish rivals Maidstone and Margate dominate the title battle with Dulwich doggedly clinging on the coattails of the Stones, albeit having played four games more. Angels are 18th in the Ryman League Premier Division, five points above the relegation zone but with games in hand over several of the sides around them.

Things did not look so bleak on day one of the season when they crushed newly promoted VCD Athletic at the Longmead, the first competitive game in charge for former Hamlet hero, Steve McKimm, installed in the hot seat during the summer after long serving supremo, Tommy Warrilow took the bullet for his team’s relegation. However, consistency seemed to elude the Angels with fine victories too often followed by disappointing defeat. They have not managed back-to-back wins since September. Point in case, the August Bank Holliday Monday victory over Maidstone, thanks to Alex Teniola’s 90th minute winner followed by a 2-0 reverse at home to Kingstonian and 2-1 defeat away to Enfield Town.

FA Cup involvement ended early as the Angels were the victims of giant killing of sorts as they went down 2-1 away to Redhill of the Ryman League South. Yet in the FA Trophy, they came close to pulling off a giant killing of their own, within a whisker of beating Bromley at home before crashing out in a replay last Tuesday night.

Two days later the Angels were back in action in the Ryman League Cup as a tyro Tonbridge side ran out convincing winners away to Maidstone United in the Robert Dyas Cup winning 4-0 at the home of their Kent rivals to progress to the fourth round of the competition, with Flavio Tavares opening the scoring just before half time. However that sensational result was perhaps tempered by a Stones’ side bereft of all but a sprinkling of first team players ahead of a FA Cup Second Round trip to Wrexham less than 48 hours later and may still count for naught after the revelation that one of the young Angels had already appeared for Merstham in the earlier rounds of the competition.

In a basement battle at the weekend McKimm’s men picked up a valuable point on the road at fifth bottom Lewes as the two strugglers played out a scoreless draw in chilling conditions.

Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 6.30 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a very healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2.00