Tonbridge Angels preview

Wingate & Finchley host Tonbridge Angels at the Maurice Rebak Stadium in the FA Cup second-round qualifiers. Having matched an already two-time club record last year in their third-round qualifying match against Weston-Super-Mare, they’ll be eager to equal, and break, a club record and go one step further this campaign. The travelling supporters may be feeling confident, considering they watched their side take all three points in the opening league game last month as Tonbridge scored three without response at Longmead. However, The Angles will do well not to take Keith Rowland’s men for granted who have picked up a fine run of results recently. The latest was in midweek which saw a performance of heart and character. Wingate clawed their way back each time they went a goal behind in the 4-4 draw, 7-8 on penalties victory at Earlsmead against Harrow Borough in the Ryman League Cup. That goalfest ensured the Blues have now found the net 13-times in their last three outings, one of those against Waltham Abbey during the first-round tie, in which they smashed five past the Ryman League Division One North outfit.v Steve McKimm’s side however pose a serious threat having been undefeated in ten matches so far this campaign, drawing only two of them. In the previous round, a 7-0 rout of Ascot United followed a 2-2 draw at the Racecourse Ground. It’s billed up to be a thrilling afternoon of FA Cup action, although the North Finchley outfit will take a lot of belief from the fact that Tonbridge haven’t won a game by more than one goal, other than the aforementioned opening day and in their first-qualifying round replay. Their last two outings have seen them win by a solitary 1-0 at AFC Sudbury and Folkestone Invicta, so they do have know-how to win away from home. Both sides will feel they have the upper-hand come 3pm on Saturday. The visitors boasting the likes of Nathan Elder, Luke Blewden, Damien Scannell and company, who have caused Wingate problems already. Whilst Rowland will be delighted top scorer from last year, Billy Healey, is now back amongst the goals, and can field star midfielder Tommy Tejan-Sie, who’s slowly but surely starting to look sharp again after a minor setback. Anything can happen in an FA Cup tie, and everyone associated with the Summers Lane side will be eagerly hoping that they’ll be in seventh heaven come the end of Saturday afternoon. By Khalid Karimullah