Tonbridge’s on-loan Portsmouth goalkeeper Toby Steward feels he has the best of both worlds.
The highly-rated stopper, who joined Pompey aged 10, still trains with the Championship club’s first-team squad during the week.
But he’s also gaining vital match experience at National League South Angels after joining on a season-long loan over the summer.
Steward, 19, has helped Angels to an unbeaten start, keeping back-to-back clean sheets over the Bank Holiday weekend.
After spending last season at Southern League Gosport, Tonbridge is the next stage in his development for a player who has been in three England goalkeeping development squads.
“I got my pro at Pompey when I was 17, so I’ve been with the first team quite a while,” said Steward.
“I always talk to the goalkeeper coach and we know the plan is to go out on loan, play lots of games at men’s level, which I think is the best thing for me, and just get used to that physicality and get that sharpness up.
“A save’s a save but where I’m training with Pompey every day they are so sharp and I’ve got to be on my A-game.
“So I guess that helps out a lot here because I’m always prepared for anything and I try my best to make the saves.
“When you’re out on loan, the results are the most important thing and keeping a clean sheet is the best possible outcome.
“I train here Thursdays and I train at Pompey every day apart from that. It’s the best of both worlds really.
“I train with all the Pompey boys and play down here, getting all those experiences. It’s the best thing for me.”
Tonbridge manager Jay Saunders moved for Steward after releasing long-serving No.1 Jonny Henly.
The deal had been in place for several weeks before it was announced, with the goalkeeper linking up with
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