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Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm reminds his players how good they can be after indifferent Bostik Premier display against Leatherhead

00:00, 12 April 2019

Steve McKimm has told his Tonbridge players a few home truths ahead of Saturday's showdown with champions Dorking Wanderers.

Defeat at Leatherhead last weekend means Angels aren't looking quite as secure in the Bostik Premier play-off positions.

They remain third but still need three wins to guarantee a top-five finish with the likes of Carshalton and Leatherhead closing in.

Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm Picture: Andy Payton
Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm Picture: Andy Payton

McKimm admitted: "We weren't good enough in the final third. My front boys and wide players, who didn't have the best of games, have turned our season round a lot since Christmas and our goal difference is plus-15 now.

"They've been scoring goals but came up with a blank and it just wasn't their day.

"I was critical of them in-house afterwards and I had a chat with them on Tuesday night, too, and told them what I thought of them.

"They've been doing ever so well but they had a bad game and they've got to get back on the bike.

"When you're doing well and everything's going swimmingly, you could lose sight of little things that aren't happening but they know they weren't at the races and they'll look to rectify it on Saturday."

Tonbridge are hoping to pull in a crowd of 800 for the visit of Dorking, who wrapped up the title and promotion last weekend.

McKimm said: "It's a big day for the team and the club. The champions are coming into Longmead and hopefully there will be a decent crowd there.

"The crowd is massive. The players respond to it, they enjoy it and the way we've been doing lately, I think the fans enjoy it as well so it's a good mix.

"The more people there, the better it is. It makes a good atmosphere all round and we'll try to put on a show for them."

Dorking are 13 points clear at the top but McKimm doesn't expect them to ease up just because the championship's in the bag.

He said: "I don't think it's a good time to play them because they'll want to keep their momentum going.

"They'll set more targets in terms of points and goals and it's not going to be an easy game.

"They've got a decent squad so whoever they play, they've got some really good players and it's going to be tough.

"We've got to be right on our game to get anything from it."

Tonbridge face Worthing (fourth) and Carshalton (fifth) over the Easter weekend in what looks a relentless run-in.

McKimm said: "We've got four tough games, playing teams in and around us, so first of all we've got to get in the play-offs. Then you start worrying about where you finish.

"There are no easy games but that's the way you want it."

Craig Stone and Callum Adonis-Taylor are back from their respective loan spells and both are available for selection on Saturday.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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