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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders has full respect for FA Cup opponents Binfield

Jay Saunders is fully aware of the threat posed by Tonbridge’s lower-league opponents in the FA Cup.

Angels enter the competition in the Second Qualifying Round this Saturday with a trip to Binfield.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: David Couldridge

The unbeaten hosts are second in Isthmian South Central, having conceded only one goal this season.

Tonbridge are in good form themselves, with back-to-back wins moving them up to eighth place in National South.

But boss Saunders is taking nothing for granted as Angels bid to make progress in the FA Cup.

“It will be a tough game,” he said. “It’s a potential banana skin.

“You want to draw a team in a lower league, and we’ve managed to do that, but it will be a tricky game.

“I’ve been on both sides of it.

“I’ve been in teams that have gone and caused upsets and I’ve been in teams that have come unstuck.

“It’s about making sure we prepare right.

“We’ve done our homework, we’re facing a good side and a good club, it’s all about getting the job done in the FA Cup.

“First and foremost, we have to be nice and solid and then hopefully our quality will shine through.

“It won’t be easy but we are in a higher league and, on paper, we should get through but we’ve all seen what can happen in the FA Cup.

“We’ll make sure the boys are fully aware of the task ahead.”

Tonbridge beat Farnborough 2-1 at Longmead on Tuesday, backing up their 3-1 win over Dulwich last time out.

Jamie Fielding scored a third-minute opener and Lewis Gard made it two, with Boro replying in the last minute.

Fielding has had an X-ray on an ankle injury, with Angels waiting on his fitness, while Gard has shaken off a knock.

Saunders said: “After a couple of defeats at home, it’s nice to get back-to-back wins.

“It was end-to-end after we got the first goal then we started to get a grip on it and we probably should have had three or four before we got the second.

“We didn’t kill the game and, as they say, 2-0 is an awkward scoreline.

“To be fair, they came out in the second half and changed shape but we defended well. I don’t think Jonny Henly’s had a save to make before they scored.”

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