We need to get used to winning football matches as a club, says Ashford United boss Gary Alexander

ASHFORD UNITED manager Gary Alexander says his side have got to get used to winning football matches.

The Nuts & Bolts extended their winless run to five games after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sittingbourne last night.

Aslan Odev’s side took a 24^th minute lead through a stunning top-left-hand corner strike from midfielder Tommie Fagg, but having come away from Guernsey with a 2-1 win on Sunday, the Brickies tired as soon as Ambrose Gnahore’s low 30-yard drive flashed underneath goalkeeper Patrick Lee to equalise on the hour.

Ashford United slipped down a couple of places to eighth in the Bostik South East Division with 11 points on the board from seven games and will go 10 points adrift of unbeaten leaders Cray Wanderers if Tony Russell’s side beat fifth-placed Whyteleafe at Hayes Lane tonight.

“It’s a good club, it’s not easy to turn a club around when you’re thinking of the fortunes last year.  Last year, where we were and not used to winning football matches and we need to get used to winning football matches as a club so it’s not easy,” said Alexander, who was assistant manager when they finished in the bottom four last season.

“There’s been a huge turn around in players so the understanding is getting there and the performances.

“It’s not far away but we have to keep working hard to get it right and hopefully we can go on a run.”

Ashford United host newly-promoted side Haywards Heath Town in The Buildbase FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday, having come away from their place with a 1-1 draw in the league last Saturday.

“It’s The FA Trophy, we’re disappointed we let ourselves down in The FA Cup, said Alexander, whose side were knocked out by lower league side Horsham YMCA 2-0 at home at the very first hurdle.

“The Trophy is another chance and another opportunity to earn the club some money (£2,000), so it’s something that we’ve got to go out with all guns blazing and hopefully we get the right result.

“We played Haywards Heath last Saturday, they’re a decent side, they’re good at what they do so we have to be prepared to match that and hopefully that we can come out on top if our fortunes can turn.

Reflecting on their first game, Alexander said:  “It was a good game, it was nice for their manager to give a fair reflection of the game. He said we were totally dominant that football match but no two games are the same, so we have to come here Thursday and assess our knocks and bruises and see what we’ve got available for Haywards Heath on Saturday and hopefully we can put in a performance, which if we can get a win might kick-start us.”

Visit Ashford United’s website:  www.ashfordunitedfc.com

Ashford United  v  Haywards Heath Town
The Buildbase FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 29 September 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ