Ashford face tough test in front of the television cameras

STEVE LOVELL was cursing his luck when his Ashford Town side were paired with their Ryman League Division One South rivals Leatherhead in the preliminary round of the FA Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.

But Lovell is confident his side can progress when the two sides meet at The Homelands, after despatching Kent rivals Whitstable Town 4-0 in the league on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Welshman criticised his side following their disappointing opening three performances, despite picking up four points, but they finally clicked into gear against Marc Seager’s side.

“We played very well Monday, very well,” Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We beat them 4-0 but I think anybody who was there would admit it could have been twice as many goals really and it was a very good performance.

“It takes a few games to start the season to give everybody a chance in the team.

“I thought the first three games of the season we really haven’t gelled and I said to the boys prior to the game on Monday, I felt the season needed to start and I think it did, and now I hope we can push on.”

Lovell, however, expects a tough game against Leatherhead at The Homelands on Saturday and knows victory will set up another clash against a league rival - Kingstonian - in the next round.

“We’re against a team in our league so it’s going to be a hard game,” warned Lovell.

“They’ve changed their set-up with a new manager coming in and they’ve started off with five points so far this season, but it’s going to be a difficult tie with them being in our league.

“We have to take each game as it comes and Saturday will be a tough game, but if we play like we did on Monday we should have a good result.

“I won’t change my team unless there’s injuries or illnesses. The eleven players who started (against Whitstable) deserve to stay in the team and the boys on the bench will have to wait their chance again.

Ashford Town co-owner Mr Don Crosbie, writing inside his programme notes for the game against Whitstable Town, revealed that Meridian will be filming the match.

“Iain McBride, the excellent sports reporter with Meridian, is coming along with a cameraman to film our FA Cup tie with Leatherhead,” said Mr Crosbie.

“It will be a pleasure to welcome Iain to Homelands. He is a genuine man and lives close to the ground.

“He is another man who wants us to enjoy some success so please make him feel welcome.”

Visit Ashford Town’s website:  www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Ashford Town v Leatherhead
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round
Saturday 30^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ