Manager Alan Dunne is determined to help Tonbridge’s young players fulfil their respective potentials.

Angels return to FA Cup action with a home match against full-time Isthmian Premier Chatham this weekend after last Saturday’s comeback 2-1 National League South derby win against Dover.

While 43-year-old Dunne, a legendary Millwall defender, has taken on a professional role, there is a mix of full-time and part-time players at Longmead as it stands.

Angels have their fair share of players on loan from Football League clubs, as well as 24-year-old keeper Jacob Adams, 22-year-old defender Bailey Akehurst and 22-year-old forward Bunmi Babajide on their own books.

Boss Dunne is keen to get his young charges playing as high up the football pyramid as they can.

He said: “I want them to believe.

“I want them to use us as a platform to go on (in their careers) - or to help get us up.

“I want them to have good careers because there’s so much out there for them. I want them to dedicate this into being their living.

“I know it’s difficult - some of them have got to work - but I want them to do as well as they can.

"That’s what I want to develop.”

Former Gillingham left-back Akehurst played a vital role in the hosts’ second-half turnaround against Dover in front of a crowd of 1,250 at Longmead.

His long-range drive was parried into the path of skipper Scott Wagstaff for Tonbridge’s 48th-minute equaliser before Akehurst crossed for Wycombe loanee forward Brody Peart, 20, to score the game’s all-important third goal.

Dunne wants to see more of the same from Akehurst.

“Bailey has got a great left foot on him,” he said. “I think there’s more there with Bailey.

“I want him to be more confident and more positive, going forward, because there’s so much there in him. He has got a lovely left foot.

“Like he was in the second half on Saturday, I want him to be positive, I want him to go forward.

"I want him to put balls into the box because he has got that in his game.

“His corners are fantastic so I’m really pleased.

“Bailey is in a good place - and I’ve got to keep him there.”

While it’s been a good first few weeks at Tonbridge for Dunne, he’s still getting to grips with his new players.

“There’s lots of learning for me,” he said.

“I’ve only been here for two weeks, so I’m still learning the boys’ capabilities in terms of their strengths and their weaknesses, but it’s been brilliant.”

The winners of Tonbridge’s fourth qualifying round tie against Kevin Hake’s Chatham team will move into the first round when Football League clubs - including Bromley and Gillingham - enter the competition.

Chats have seen off Kent rivals Ashford and Deal, as well as Marlow, to reach this stage.

“They have got Henry Molyneux in goal,” said Dunne, who was an unused substitute at Wembley as Millwall lost the 2004 FA Cup final 3-0 to Manchester United. “He’s had a good season so far.

“It’s the FA Cup and there’s a massive prize for winning so that’ll be an added incentive.

“The place will be rocking. I expect them (Chatham) to be fully at it.

“Like every game, it’s going to be a difficult game. We have to not rest and think ‘It’s going to be okay’.

“There’s going to be a massive atmosphere here again on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The fourth qualifying round victors will earn £9,375.

Tonbridge won 4-1 at home to Isthmian South East Sittingbourne in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday.

Eddie Simon bagged a hat-trick, Babajide scoring Tonbridge’s fourth.

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