On Saturday, National League South action returns, after a three week break, to the Yeomans Community Stadium as we welcome Dagenham and Redbridge with the game kicking-off at 3pm.
The Angels will go into the game with confidence following the impressive win at Torquay United a fortnight ago.
Dagenham and Redbridge, who will be making their first competitive appearance at Tonbridge (be it the Angel Ground or Longmead), have not played below the top level of non-league football since winning the Isthmian Premier Division (then step two) in 2000. Since then they have had 16 seasons in the National League (Conference), eight years in League Two and one season in League One when in 2010-11 they shared a division with clubs such as Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic. In the past 25 years they have also reached the third round of the FA Cup seven times, once reaching the fourth round. They also had a 6-6 draw with Brentford, a game which was deemed so memorable the goal nets from that day are now on display at the National Football Museum.
They’ve certainly made a slower start to the season than they would have hoped, sitting 13th in the table, four points above the Angels and six points from the play-offs. However they are in their best form of the season, on a run of 10 league and cup games without defeat and have not lost away from home in the league since August when they were beaten at Weston-super-Mare.
They are managed by Lee Bradbury, who was appointed in June, having previously managed at AFC Bournemouth, Havant and Waterlooville, where he won back-to-back promotions, Eastbourne Borough and Eastleigh. Prior to that he had a professional career of more than 500 games at clubs such as Portsmouth, Manchester City and Crystal Palace before being part of the AFC Bournemouth side which won promotion.
They have in their squad arguably the most well-known footballer in National League South history in former England international Andy Carroll, who has found a rich vein of form in recent weeks after missing the early part of the season as he built his fitness. He not only has a three year contract at the Daggers, but is also a minority investor in the club. Last season he scored 10 in 21 for Bordeaux; he won the EFL Cup and reached the FA Cup final with Liverpool in 2012; has nine England caps and went to the 2012 Euros where he scored in the group game against Sweden.
Other players of note that are likely to feature are centre back Christian Maghoma, an arrival from Aldershot in the summer. In midfield, Joe Haigh joined from fellow National League South side Farnborough, a former England Under-19 player, he has played for Aldershot and South Park and has five goals this season, one behind Carroll.
Tim Dieng ended last season in League Two with Cheltenham Town on loan from Gillingham where he had been one of Brad Galinson’s first signings at Gillingham for an undisclosed but thought to be substantial fee. The Frenchman started his career at Brest, before moving to England in 2014 to play for Oldham Athletic, Bradford City, Southend United and Exeter City.
Admission prices for Saturday’s game are: Adults £18; Concessions £15; Youths £8 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE
Gates open at 1 pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset with the special offer of Carling Black Fruits Cider at £4.50 a pint, or two pints for £8 while stocks last. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 1 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 1.30 pm. After the game, the Marquee will be open with Happy Hour from 5-6 pm, when all draught lager and cider will be on offer at £1 a pint off with Carling Black Fruits offer continuing. The staff and players will be in attendance and, at 6 o’clock, there will be the Player of the Match presentation.
Don’t forget to wear your Christmas Jumper and you might win a prize of two complimentary tickets to any game excepting the Maidstone fixture and there will be a special appearance from Father Christmas as we collect for the club’s hospital visit to the children’s wards of Tunbridge Wells Hospital.
Enjoy the game!
