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Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders set to add further new faces after signing Sonny Fish and Charlie Pegrum on loan

Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders isn’t done yet as he sets about refreshing his forward options.

Saunders has moved into the loan market in a bid to solve Angels’ problems in front of goal.

Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Steve Terrell
Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders. Picture: Steve Terrell

After drawing blanks in seven of their 10 National League South games this season, it was time to act.

Sonny Fish has joined on a season-long loan from Crawley and he’s been joined by attacking midfielder Charlie Pegrum, who’s arrived on a two-month deal from Leyton Orient.

Further additions are to follow, while Ibby Akanbi and Ruben Soares have been released and Joe Boachie has joined Royston on dual-registration.

Saunders, who’s also lost on-loan Charlton midfielder Jeremy Santos to a long-term knee injury said: “We’ve played 10 games and not scored in seven, so it’s not rocket science to see where our problems are.

“It’s an area we’ve had to address and I’m talking to a couple more as well.

“You leave it another five games and all of a sudden you’re 15 games in.

“We’re not far off, it’s just that end product.

“Players have had chances. We’ve tried different formations and different combinations and for whatever reason they weren’t clicking.

“I get missing half-chances but we’re missing chances that are easier to score.

“I’ve said all along if the right players are out there and they’re better than we’ve got, we’ve got to look at it.

“We’re not a club who can go and pay big wages to sign a forward who will score 30 or 40 goals.

“We’ve got to find the right ones and hopefully these two we’ve brought in will help, and we need a couple more.”

Fish, 19, had a loan spell at Worthing earlier this season and recently signed a two-year deal with League 2 high-fliers Crawley.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Pegrum has made six substitute appearances for League 1 Orient this season.

“I’m pleased to get them in,” said Saunders.

“Sonny’s mobile, he makes good runs, he’s young and hungry and he gives us something different.

“It’s good of Scott Lindsey (Crawley boss) to let us have him and I’m sure he’ll come in and do well.

“Charlie’s really highly thought of at Orient so, again, it’s good that they’re allowing us to help his progression.

“Looking at Twitter, some of the Orient supporters are surprised he’s gone out on loan to this level.

“They felt he should have gone higher but they’ve trusted us and possibly Pigs (Joe Pigott, Saunders’ old Maidstone striker who now plays for Orient) has helped with that by putting in a good word.

“You try and use the loan market but you have to do your homework and make sure you get the right ones in.

“I’m looking forward to working with these boys and the main thing is they want to come out and play football.”

Santos’ knee injury is a big blow to Tonbridge.

He recently rejoined the club on loan from Charlton, having impressed in two spells at Longmead last season.

There will be a bucket collection for him on Saturday when Tonbridge host Hemel in National South.

“It’s quite a bad one for Santos,” said Saunders. “I think he’ll be out for quite a while.

“He tore his hamstring with us last season and now this.

“I feel for him because he’s a great lad and a great player and someone we were pleased to have back because we felt we needed his creativity.”

Tonbridge striker Jordan Greenidge will be fired up to face former club Hemel this weekend.

He’d been training alone before rejoining Tonbridge on a permanent deal, having scored 17 goals on loan last season.

“You always want to do well against your old club,” said Saunders.

“We had a good chat on Saturday and he feels missing pre-season has caught up with him.

“We’re trying to get him up to speed and I’ve no doubt he’ll come good.

“He’s a goalscorer and once he gets one or two, I’m sure he’ll go on a run.”

Tonbridge drew 1-1 in a friendly against Hashtag United last weekend, Lewis Gard with the goal.

On Tuesday night, they lost 3-1 at Chatham in the Kent Senior Cup First Round.

Defender Kodi Lyons-Foster gave Angels an early lead but last season’s runners-up hit back.

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