Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders on back-to-back away wins in National League South and facing Hythe Town in the FA Trophy Second Round
05:00, 16 November 2023
Tonbridge occupy their highest position this season after back-to-back away wins.
They’re up to 10th in National League South, only two points off the play-offs, after a great few days.
Angels scored three times in the last 20 minutes to overturn a 2-0 deficit at St Albans on Saturday.
Jordan Greenidge (2), including an injury-time winner, and Sean Shields were the scorers.
And they backed it up with Jamie Fielding, an own goal and Greenidge securing a 3-0 success at Eastbourne on Tuesday night.
“It’s two really good away performances,” said boss Jay Saunders.
“They were two different games but a good six points for us.
“I’m told that moves us up the table a bit but I still haven’t looked.
“If you’re not losing, you’re normally doing OK.
“I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at St Albans.
“We were well in the game and I said to the boys at half-time if we get the next goal I genuinely think we can go and win.
“Sometimes you say that to players but I honestly felt we were causing them problems and we felt we could hurt them.
“We made a change, bringing Francis (Mampolo) on, which made a difference, and when it went to 2-1 you could feel the whole atmosphere in the ground change.
“You thought, ‘here we go’ and they couldn’t stop the tide turning.
“I’ve been on the other side of it as a player and it’s horrible because you almost feel no matter what you do, it won’t make any difference.
“Fair play to the boys, they kept going right to the end and up getting the win.”
Jernade Meade, away on international duty, joined the lengthy list of absentees at Eastbourne.
Saunders recalled Joe Tyrie from Sittingbourne to partner fellow teenager Ethan Sutcliffe at the back and Angels ran out worthy winners.
“Bearing in mind we had a lot of players out, it was a really solid away performance,” said Saunders.
“We had three academy boys on the bench - one of them being a keeper - so were down to bare bones but the boys stuck together and got a good result.
“It goes one way or the other when you’re depleted and up against it.
“You find out about the boys’ character but I quite like having a smaller squad because when you have people sat in the stand it can cause unrest.
“We’ve lost one in nine, so it’s been a good run, but things can soon change in football.”
Tonbridge visit Isthmian South East Hythe in the FA Trophy Second Round on Saturday (3pm).
Cannons boss Steve Watt and his assistant Alex Flisher played under Saunders at Maidstone while another Stones old boy, Frannie Collin, plays for the hosts.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Watty and Flish and Frannie and all the boys there,” said Saunders.
“It will be good to have a beer with them - hopefully after we’ve won.
“Watty’s done a great job there.
“The group he’s got reminds me of the dressing room we had at Maidstone in that everyone’s really close and that goes a long way. It’ll be a really tough game.
“We’ve done our homework, we’ve been watching Hythe – it’s not a case of taking anything lightly because we’re two leagues higher.
“They’re a well-organised side and they’ve got a lot of quality.
“Especially since I’ve been here, I don't think Tonbridge have had the best of runs in cups so it’s important we try and put that right but it certainly won’t be easy.
“It’s about getting the job done. When you’re the team in the higher league, if you can go there, keep your calm and do what you’re good at, you hope your quality shines through.
“But we know Hythe are a good side, they’ll be well-drilled and we’ve got to make sure we're at our best to win there.”
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