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Tonbridge Angels continue National South play-off push with Kent derby against Dartford

05:00, 14 April 2023

Tonbridge have little margin for error in their Kent derby against Dartford on Saturday.

The sides meet at Longmead with Angels trying to keep their National League South play-off bid alive against a Darts side who look set to finish runners-up.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: David Couldridge

Angels are three points off the top seven in 11th place, with four games to play, after the Easter weekend.

Jay Saunders’ side drew 1-1 with Hemel on Good Friday while Monday’s game at play-off rivals Farnborough was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. It will be played on Tuesday, April 25 - in the last week of the season.

There could be plenty riding on that game if Tonbridge pick up a couple of results in the meantime, starting at home to Darts.

Boss Saunders said: “We’re concentrating on one game at a time but, realistically, with the way other results are going, we’ve probably got to win three of our last four games to have a chance of getting in the play-offs.

“Dartford’s always a tough game because they’re a good side and they’ve been second in the league for most of the season.

“I know Dowse (manager Alan Dowson) well and he’s done a good job there.

“They’re obviously trying to cement second place and we’re trying to make a push for the play-offs.

“To still be playing for something at this stage of the season is good. We’ve made it hard for ourselves if we are going to make it but I’d rather that than having nothing to play for.”

Joe Turner gave Tonbridge a second-half lead against Hemel but Josh Castiglione levelled soon after.

Angels’ on-loan Hemel striker Jordan Greenidge watched the game from the Tonbridge dugout, ineligible to face his parent club.

“Jordan was cheering us on - he was desperate to get a win,” said Saunders.

“You want one of the top scorers in the league out there on the pitch but we knew the score when we re-signed him.

“It was a frustrating afternoon. We had a great chance to go 2-0 up - Jack Wood has cut in and the ball has missed Tommie Fagg’s foot by an inch - and if that goes in it changes the game.

“We conceded a really poor goal from our point of view but then Joe Turner has hit the post and we had two unbelievable chances at the end where the keeper has made a double save from Joe Turner and Jack Wood.”

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