Tonbridge Angels go into this weekend’s game with Taunton Town at Longmead in decent form with boss Jay Saunders calling on his side to continue their early season promise. 

Talking to us after Tuesday’s draw with Braintree that followed a stunning 5-2 win at Slough last weekend, Saunders said,  Tuesday was one of those entertaining 0-0’s – you get the bore draws, but it certainly wasn’t that… it was two teams having a good go.”

“Both defended very well and nullified what the other was trying to do and I think that, after them scoring four against Worthing (one of the early pace setters in National League South) and we did what we did at Slough, it had 0-0 written all over it!” the Angels boss joked. 

“Going to Slough we’d taken a lot of stick that the team wasn’t doing this or that going forward. We were boosted by the return of Jordan Greenidge and we changed shape and it worked and we were very good.”

“It wasn’t that we got lucky, or they were poor, we went there with a game plan and the boys carried it out to the letter.”

“Sometimes it does happen, and I’m really pleased that it did. And to back it up with a point at home on Tuesday – of course we’d have loved to have backed that up in front of your own fans, but sometimes that’s not possible.” 

“We’re right up there in the League for goals conceded – third or fourth I think – which is a huge plus this year.”

“We’ve just got to reverse that now and maybe get a few more at the other end. But Braintree were a good side – they hammered Worthing who were top, and that wasn’t a lucky result either as I watched the game.”

“We knew we were in for a tough night – they were in the Play Offs last year, so it was a solid performance from us.”

“We hit the post twice in the second half and could have nicked it – a draw was probably a fair result as you’d take four points from a home and away game in a week.”

“Now if we can back it up on Saturday with a win against Taunton, seven points from three games becomes a good week!” 

“The League this year hasn’t settled down yet as people are still trying to find their feet and I actually think that after the next round of the FA Cup, you’ll see a lot of changes to squads with people strengthening as they get a feel as to where the League is at, as we are looking to maybe even before the weekend.”

“There’s no easy games – and that’s no disrespect to anyone! Last year you were able to look at teams and think that you should get three points there.”

“This year, and there are no easy games! The travelling distances weren’t as much last year, but you’ve got some serious teams in this League this year and teams with serious money floating about – trust me, there’s some serious money about – and some good players and it’s making the League a lot more competitive.” 

“Taunton were very organised last year so we’re expecting much the same, I think we were 2-0 up here last year and ended up losing the game – they’re well organised; good on set pieces – looking at them after our game, I think out of the twelve they’ve scored, seven or eight have been from set pieces.”

“But we’re at home – we’ve got to make sure that we’re right. We’ve a couple missing still but hopefully we can get a win and a few goals for our home supporters.” 

Saunders confirmed that the Angels would be without full back Jernade Meade who is away on international duty with Monserrat, Louis Garde is rated no more than fifty/fifty with a hamstring problem, and Scott Wagstaff is suspended.