Everyone's looking forward to playing Gillingham, says Ashford United boss Paul Chambers

Friday 28th June 2013

ASHFORD UNITED boss Paul Chambers says playing host to League Two champions Gillingham tomorrow should be a good occasion.

Ashford United finished in third-place in the Kent Invicta League last season and were promoted to the Kent League (now called Southern Counties East Football League) alongside champions Phoenix Sports.

Chambers is hoping to have striker Michael Smissen, who played for Canterbury City, Ashford United and Whitstable Town last season, and midfielder Lee Winfield, who had a spell on loan at the club last season whilst playing for Hythe Town in the squad against a Gillingham side that are preparing for life back in League One, under Martin Allen.

Striker Mo Takalobighashi, scorer of 22 goals in 25 games for Ashford last season, has signed for Ryman League Division One South side Whitstable Town, where he has impressed manager Nicky Southall throughout pre-season training so far.

Chambers told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: “Everyone’s looking forward to it and it should be a good occasion.

“They will be bringing first-team players down so it’ll be tough but it’s what you want, a friendly against Gillingham.”

Chambers added: “We’ll have around 20 players – some from last year and a few new additions.

“Buster (Michael Smissen) will be there and Lee Winfield will be too if he’s not working.

“We have a couple of lads from Deal coming over as well.

“A lot of the boys have stayed and the only way we’ll lose players is if we get rid of them.”

Ashford United resumed pre-season training last Saturday and will go into tomorrow’s opening game with two training sessions under their belts.

Visit Ashford United’s website: www.ashfordunited.co.uk

Ashford United v Gillingham
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 29^th June 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ