Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow had a 'bit of a dig' at his players after last Saturday’s 6-1 home defeat by Ebbsfleet United.

While accepting the usual mitigating circumstances associated with a pre-season friendly, Warrilow admitted: "I don’t want to lose matches 6-1, to be honest, even if it is a friendly. It wasn’t a great performance by us and I had a bit of a dig at the players at training this week."

Warrilow (pictured) will be looking for a reaction on Saturday, especially as the Angels’ opponents are Maidstone United at their new Gallagher Stadium.

"I’m looking forward to going down there and seeing the new ground" Warrilow added, "and although it’s only another friendly I know the (respective club’s) fans will be wanting some early-season bragging rights."

The Tonbridge players will get their first look at the Stones’ 3G artificial pitch and Warrilow said: "I have never poo-pooed artificial pitches because of what can happen in the winter – and also if we lose on Saturday I can blame the pitch!"

He added: "We’ve still got half a dozen games before we play our first league match so there’s plenty of time to sort things out."

Defender Sonny Miles has undergone his hernia operation and Warrilow said: "It’s good to know that Sonny’s on the road to recovery, although he won’t be ready for the start of the season."