Tommy Warrilow

Tonbridge Angels play Maidenhead United today

Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow is hoping his threadbare squad can make it through the opening weekend of the season without any injuries.

The Angels start their Blue Square South campaign at Maidenhead United, as they did last year, but he is not expecting another 4-0 triumph and instead is hoping his side have a clean bill of health before they play their second match, at home to Salisbury City on Tuesday.

Three players who would have played a part will be missing and so he travels with a reduced bench.

Jon Heath is missing through injury, while Sonny Miles is still on the road to recovery after an operation this summer and Lee Browning is suspended for the opening two fixtures, putting him back in contention next weekend.

There are also slight concerns for a number of players who picked up strains at the weekend.

“It’s going to be another tough year,” he said. “It’s just about looking after ourselves and not getting carried away with it.”

Their opponents finished in the relegation zone last season but stayed up because of restructuring throughout the non-league scene, and Warrilow knows anything can happen after last year’s result.

“To be honest, we could have had more on the day, but before we got our first couple of goals they had opportunities themselves,” he said.

“It’s important we keep our feet on the ground when things are going well and don’t get down in the dumps when it’s not.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m hoping we can improve again, as we have done each year.”