Jay Saunders was surprised to learn Tonbridge had been given a home game to start the National South season.

The club asked for an away fixture, as an insurance policy, while work continues on their new 3G pitch.

But Angels will open the campaign at Longmead against relegated Weymouth on August 6.

“It’ll be tough getting Weymouth watched because it’s a fair old boot down there!” said boss Saunders.

“They’re in a bit of a transition, I know a few players have left, but it’ll be a tough game, the first game of the season is always tough.

“I’m surprised we’re at home, because of the pitch.

“The club kind of asked for an away game, in case of any delay with the pitch, so I wasn’t expecting to be at home.

“I haven’t got too much involved in it but I think we’re on track.

“We’ve booked all pre-season away, and we’ve booked a training facility right up to the start of the season, in case it’s not ready, so we’ve covered all the bases.

“We’ve got a home friendly pencilled in on July 30, but we’ve also got an away game booked because we know these things can run behind.

“But the good thing is, knowing we’re at home on the first day, it’ll be all systems go to make sure we’re ready for it.”

Angels have an early derby at Dover on Tuesday, August 16 and have been paired with Welling over the festive period.

• Tonbridge fixtures

The team are looking sharp after 5-1 and 3-0 wins at Sutton Common Rovers and Folkestone in their opening friendlies.

New signing Femi Akinwande scored four times in the weekend win at Sutton, with Joe Turner, Louis Collins and a trialist on target in Tuesday’s victory.

“We had a really good first half at Folkestone,” said Saunders.

“We went with one side for 60 minutes and then took them all off, so we lost our shape a little bit but we still scored another goal and kept a clean sheet.

“I was really impressed with the way we started, we created a lot of chances, and could have had a couple more goals.

“We let them into it, which is natural, because we’re still finding our feet and, all in all, we were a young side, but I was quite excited by some of the stuff I saw.

“You don’t want to get carried away, and I’m not, but you’re more worried if you turn up and don’t put performances in or don’t look bright.

“I’m not overly worried about results but you still want to get into good habits.

“There’s loads of room for improvement but when you put a side together, you have in your head what people will bring to a team, and it’s nice when it does happen.”

Tonbridge are at Cray Wanderers this Saturday and Corinthian on Tuesday.