Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders on their 4-1 defeat by Hampton & Richmond

Jay Saunders felt the occasion may have got to his players as a new era at Tonbridge started with a defeat.

Angels lost 4-1 to Hampton on the day the club opened their new 3G pitch at Longmead, in front of more than a thousand fans.

Boss Saunders stressed in the build-up the need to play the game and not the occasion but his worst fears came true as the Beavers punished mistakes to lead 3-0 by half-time.

On-loan Charlton forward Dylan Gavin provided some cheer on his debut by pulling a goal back before Hampton broke from a Tonbridge corner to add their fourth in injury time.

“I was big on play the game and not the occasion and I think we probably played the occasion,” said Saunders, after his side’s first defeat of the National South season.

“I thought three or four looked leggy and three or four went hiding.

“At the end of the day, football isn’t a complicated game.

“If nine or 10 of your side turn up and play well, you’ve got a chance of winning.

“Unfortunately, I think, especially first half, we probably only had two or three that turned up.

“I’m gutted for the supporters and, to a degree, the players because I wanted them to show what they’re about.

“We’ve got some good players here, good young players.

“Let’s have it right, with Doug Loft and Tom Parkinson out, we’ve lost some massive experience and with James Taylor out from Dover, all of a sudden we’re going with a new midfield again.

“Probably the team I had in my head that I thought would start the season, I’m nowhere near it, but I’m not going to be hard on them, we’ve got to pick them up, learn from it and go again."

Tonbridge went into the game on the back of two wins and a draw from three away fixtures but hopes of crowning a day of celebration with another