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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders says they are facing a make-or-break period for their National South play-off hopes

Jay Saunders believes Tonbridge’s play-off prospects will become clearer over the next few weeks.

Angels are 10th in National South, just four points off the top seven, after a five-match unbeaten run.

Joe Turner celebrates his winner. Picture: David Couldridge
Joe Turner celebrates his winner. Picture: David Couldridge

Booted by Jordan Greenidge’s loan extension, they’re out to continue their good form at Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

Saunders is looking forward to going to Champion Hill, where Hamlet attract the biggest crowds in the division.

Indeed, their last home game, against Eastbourne Borough a fortnight ago, was a 3,334 sell-out.

“It’s nice to be going to Dulwich,” said Saunders. “You know there’s going to be a big crowd in.

“Ask any manager or player and they’ll tell you these are games you want to play in. You want to play in front of 3,000 people.

“Personally, I always look forward to going there.

“I know Barnsey (boss Paul Barnes) well. He’s brought some players in and he’s trying to get them going.

“They’ve been a bit inconsistent with their results but that is this league.

"I’ve been on all season about trying to find some consistency and we’ve managed to get that over the last few weeks.

"This will be a tough one but we go there with confidence. We’re six unbeaten, including the Kent Cup, so we’re on a good little run.

“I’ve been saying I want to get to 45 points as soon as we can and we’re one away from that now.

Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders, right, with Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood at full-time. Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders, right, with Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood at full-time. Picture: David Couldridge

“I’d like to think we wouldn’t go down with that and then it’s looking at what we can achieve.

“I think this period is probably going to make or break our season regarding the play-offs. We’ll see where we are.”

Tonbridge go into the game on the back of a 2-1 comeback win over fellow form side Worthing last week.

Trailing at half-time, a change in shape paid dividends as wing-back Taris Hinds’ stunning volley and Joe Turner’s goal halted the Rebels’ four-match winning streak.

“There was a real buzz after the game,” said Saunders.

“It’s funny because if we’d been 2-0 up and won 2-1 it wouldn’t have been the same but when you come back and win a game like that it gives everyone an extra lift.

“Regardless of Worthing being a good side, we were miles off it in the first half.

“Control the controllables, as the saying goes, and we didn’t do that in the first half.

“You shouldn’t be bad at running hard and we were really poor in possession.

“Working hard and winning the ball back, we were a yard off in everything. We probably made Worthing look better than they are, even though they’re a very good side.

Opening goalscorer Tariq Hinds in action against Worthing. Picture: David Couldridge
Opening goalscorer Tariq Hinds in action against Worthing. Picture: David Couldridge

“We were going to change shape but we decided to wait until half-time.

"We got them in and did that and we took Bivesh Gurung off because he’d been booked and we were concerned about him getting a second yellow.

“We scored early with a hell of a volley from Tariq.

"We were the better side in the second half and then Joe got the winner. You ask the boys for a response and we got one.”

Hinds’ goal-of-the-season contender further enhanced his popularity among Tonbridge fans.

He’s a player bang in form at an important time.

“He’s become a bit of a fans’ favourite,” said Saunders.

“He’s got quality on the ball and where he’s small and quick, he’s the sort of player fans like to watch.

“He’s had that background at Tottenham and you can see he’s been brought up well and coached well.

“I’ve been really pleased with him, especially over the last month or so, and he scored a great goal.

“The keeper punches it out and it’s a first-time volley, 30 yards out, that he loops back into the goal. It’s great technique.”

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