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Belief crucial when Tonbridge Angels host National League South title favourites Havant & Waterlooville

Steve McKimm faces his old mentor this weekend when Tonbridge host National South title favourites Havant.

It was Hawks boss Paul Doswell who gave McKimm his first coaching job when the pair worked together at Sutton.

It proved a good grounding for the Angels manager, who welcomes Doswell to Longmead on Saturday.

Tonbrdige boss Steve McKimm thanks travelling fans at Bath Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbrdige boss Steve McKimm thanks travelling fans at Bath Picture: David Couldridge

Tonbridge assistant boss Barry Moore said: "Paul has been successful at Eastleigh and Sutton.

"He's a good manager, very experienced, and it can only have benefited Steve to have learned from him.

"Hopefully Steve will know what he's thinking and that might give us a little bonus on the day.

"The main thing is we go into the game with belief.

"Havant have Conference National players, albeit a couple of them are a bit older now, and they're a quality side.

"It will require 92/93 minutes of concentration and the players have got to believe they can get something, which we think they can.

"The crowd were fantastic in our last home game against Concord.

"That was a great night and hopefully we can give them a great day on Saturday.

"We'll do everything we can to please them.

Tonbridge are growing in belief Picture: David Couldridge
Tonbridge are growing in belief Picture: David Couldridge

"If you put in 100%, if you work hard and play for the club, they'll back you 100%."

Tonbridge, who visit Welling on Bank Holiday Monday, go into the weekend buoyed by a goalless draw at Bath last Saturday.

City, who started the day top of the league, missed a penalty but Tonbridge deserved their point after a battling display.

Moore said: "We got to half-time and said to the boys, 'look, be patient and the game will open up', which it did.

"Bath changed the way they play and were more direct, which suited us in terms of picking up second balls, and then we went on to create chances ourselves.

"A draw was a fair result and it was a massive point for the lads' confidence to make them believe they can survive in this league.

"They should believe in themselves because they're a young, hardworking group.

"They're good lads and they didn't get promoted last season for no reason.

"We fully deserve our four points so far."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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