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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders on Jordan Greenidge's loan extension and why criticism of Christmas and New Year opponents Welling United is unfair

Jay Saunders has challenged Jordan Greenidge to reach 15 goals for Tonbridge after extending the striker’s loan.

Greenidge has scored five in six games since joining the Angels from Hemel Hempstead.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Randolph File
Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Randolph File

He’s on board until mid-February after the clubs agreed an extension to his initial one-month deal and boss Saunders hopes the goals continue to flow.

“It was a no-brainer for us to extend,” said Saunders.

“It’s one of those where you worry whether there’s going to be interest from other clubs but Jordan was keen to get it done.

“I didn’t just want him for another month, I felt we needed two because it gives us a better period to work with him.

"I don’t know if there was other interest but I’ve always got on well with Mark Jones (Hemel boss) since he was at Oxford and he helped to tie it up quickly.

“You can’t fault Jordan’s return, and it’s six in seven if you count the friendly goal against Margate.

“He didn’t know anyone when he came here but he’s settled in well and he’s our top scorer.

“In the next two months, if he keeps his record up, he could be on 15 goals or whatever.”

Tonbridge host Welling in National South on Boxing Day, with the return at Park View Road on New Year’s Day (both 3pm).

The Wings have gone six games without a win, dropping to 15th place, while Angels are three points outside the play-offs in 10th.

They were due to host Dover last weekend, but the match was postponed for a second time.

Saunders feels criticism of Warren Feeney’s out-of-form Welling side is unfair.

“I feel for them a bit because you’ve had everyone saying they’re spending this and spending that, a bit like Ebbsfleet, where rumours fly about,” said Saunders.

“At the end of the day, like us, they didn’t want to be in a relegation battle again this season and we’re both heading in the right direction in that respect.

“They’ve got good players, Ade Azeez and Stefan Payne up front, and Manny Parry, who played for me at Maidstone, and on their day they can beat anyone.

“They only just stayed up last season but then you have a positive start and people get ahead of themselves.

“Suddenly a few bad results and it’s the end of the world but if you look at where they were last year compared to this year, Warren’s doing a good job.”

Saunders isn’t a fan of the Christmas and New Year double header, but hopes to give fans plenty to shout about as Tonbridge bid to build on a good start to the season.

“I don’t get playing the same team back-to-back,” he said. “You’ve got other local teams, why not mix it up? It is what it is and I’d like to think there’ll be good crowds in and two entertaining games.

“Both teams have scored goals and both have let in more than we’d like. We just want to get to 45 points as quick as we can.

“We’re on 33, three points outside the play-offs, so it’s been a great first half of the season.”

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