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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders on his side’s unbeaten start to the National League South season

07:02, 05 September 2024

updated: 07:02, 05 September 2024

Jay Saunders says there’s more to come from his high-flying Tonbridge side.

Angels are one of only two unbeaten teams in National League South seven games into the season.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Helen Cooper
Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Helen Cooper

They’re fourth in the early standings, two points off the top, after beating St Albans 2-0 on Tuesday.

It’s their best start since promotion five years ago but that’s all it is as far as Saunders is concerned - a start.

“I’ve always said I don’t think you’ll see the best of us until about 10 games in,” he said.

“I think that goes for most teams.

“The league then starts to filter out and you get a little bit of an idea where teams are going to be.

“At the moment it’s just a start but we’re enjoying it.

“That’s three wins in a row and four clean sheets in a row.

“We’ve got a good, honest group of boys.

“You know as a manager when you’ve got a good dressing room and everyone’s together, and there is that feeling.

“As well as it’s going, at some point the run will end and it’s how we respond to that.

“Confidence is massive in football but it can change very quickly.

“We just want to keep doing what we’ve been doing, train the same, prepare the same and get ready for the next game at Chippenham on Saturday.”

There’s encouraging news on the injury front regarding striker Noel Leighton.

He was expected to miss two months with an ankle injury but his recovery is ahead of schedule.

A fit Leighton could be a big asset after scoring 41 goals for Three Bridges last season, although he may need some minutes elsewhere first to build match fitness.

“Noel and Tariq Hinds will hopefully join in training a little bit on Thursday,” said Saunders.

“He’s recovering quite well. He’s upping it and upping it.

“If he joins in and gets no reaction, then we can start upping it again.

“We’ll have to look once he’s fully fit whether he goes out on loan.

“We’ll see because now we go more Saturday-Saturday for a little while, which is good for us because we can get some more work in on the training ground.

“When you only train two nights a week, it’s hard to get the work in you want to do, plus recover right, so we’re looking forward to Saturday-Saturday.”

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