Last Saturday, Sonny Miles was leading Tonbridge Angels into the First Round for the Emirates FA Cup. 

This weekend after the Angels magnificently recovered from their Bradford City mauling to win at Chelmsford City for the first time in over fifty years, their National League South campaign moves onto Dorking Wanderers and we’ve been talking again to the Angels skipper about his week, and what now lies in store for Tonbridge now that they’re back to the “bread and butter” of League football.

“Thought the boys went out and were very professional Monday night,” Miles who missed the game after picking up an injury at the weekend told KSN.

“Chelmsford had a lot of the ball, but ultimately when the times mattered, the boys put the ball in the back of the net, and only allowed them limited chances. After Saturday we wanted to get back on it straight away and the chance to do it so quickly was brilliant – I’m sure some of the boys had very heavy legs after the game but they got the job done!”

Reflecting on the Cup game, Miles admitted, “look their quality was there for everyone to see. All credit to them as much as on the day, I don’t think that we performed on the day very well, I thought Bradford were excellent – their movement, their sharpness was second to none and they never let off.”

“The difference in quality was there – I don’t think we did ourselves justice personally and as a team. We let in sloppy goals – the early one didn’t help – but it was a great day for the club but ultimately you don’t want to get beaten by six or seven – you just have to take your hat off to the quality of the opposition sometimes and Saturday was one of those days.”

“The whole occasion was great, and we all enjoyed it – except the result – but we’ve just got to make sure we get there more in the future!”

“I think of lot of the players learned a lot about themselves. If you’re younger and looking to get into or back into the pro game, they were a League Two club. Bottom line is that I know that they are Bradford, but they are a League Two club – mid table – but that’s the standard that you have to reach.”

“Ultimately none of us were anywhere near that last Saturday,” Miles said before adding ruefully, “I know that I learned that I haven’t got the legs that I had five years ago! That’s the difference in standard in all truth – we didn’t help ourselves admittedly, but you have to hold your hands up and say that we were beaten by a much better team!”

“Coming into work on Monday morning was “entertaining” after being on the television, but the moment for me was when I came home after the game on Saturday and my three year old said that she saw me on the telly – she couldn’t quite believe it – it was a brilliant experience it really was. Such a pity that we couldn’t have put in Monday’s performance on Saturday, but then that’s football!”

“It doesn’t get any easier at Dorking on Saturday, but I think Monday speaks volumes of everyone – players, management, staff – everyone we’ve got at the club. The Gaffer pulled us aside after the game and said that whatever we’ve achieved in the Cup, the League is our “bread and butter” as there’s no point getting to the First Round if you get relegated as everyone will only remember the relegation.”

“It’s a credit to the boys how they responded on Monday as Dorking will look at the result Monday and see we won at Chelmsford, and know that we’ll take that confidence into Saturday and look to get a positive result there as well.”