Title dark horses first up for Town

Match preview by Paul Jennings.

The new season kicks off for The Blues on Saturday with a mouth watering opening day fixture at home to league title dark horses Tonbridge Angels.

Blues boss Craig Edwards has had a busy pre season rebuilding his squad with a number of new names arriving at New Lodge to join last season’s surviving squad members.

The first and quite possibly most high profile of Edwards captures was Mica Hyde who spent last season captaining Barnet in League Two.

Edwards also pulled of somewhat of a double coup in signing Adam Flanagan from last season’s title winners Dartford and striker Leon McKenzie from Conference South club Bromley.

The Blues have had a mixed pre season results wise. However, much progress has been made with bedding in the new recruits and Town fans go into the new season optimistic that the months ahead promise more than the previous two seasons.

Tonbridge have also had a mixed bag of pre season results having won three and lost three of their six games. Despite these results they come into the new season as many pundits dark horses for the league title.

Angels Manager Tommy Warrilow has bought wisely over the summer and will now be looking for more consistency from his team. It was a lack of consistency that cost his team last season. This was highlighted when Tonbridge occupied one of the play off positions in November and in March, but also spent time in the bottom four in between those times.

With good support expected to follow their team up from Kent and a large home following eager for a return to action, there promises to be a great atmosphere in New Lodge for the game.

The bar will be open from early for all of those who can’t wait any longer for the season to arrive and Gazza will commence his countdown to kick off in earnest from 2pm. The big kick off follows an hour later.

Admission is £9 for adults, £6 for concessions and £2 for under 16’s


Last time against Tonbridge Angels

05/12/09: Tonbridge Angels 0 Billericay Town 1 (Kersey)


Random facts……

•    The Blues win at Tonbridge back in December was one of only six away victories for them in the league last season

•    Tonbridge were once Managed by England World Cup winner George Cohen. Current Manager Tommy Warrilow has been in charge since November 2007

•    Current Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson can name Tonbridge as one of his former clubs. He was a player there in the late 1960’s.

And finally…..

•    The Blues are unbeaten at home on the opening day of the season since their return the Isthmian Premier Division in 1997

Let’s hope that is still the case come 4.45pm on Saturday!