I have the backing to turn things around, says underfire Lovell

UNDERFIRE ASHFORD Town boss Steve Lovell insists he is trying to turn the club’s fortunes around, especially as they’ve now gone five league games without a win.

The Nuts & Bolts have slipped down to fourteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with a record of four wins and five draws from their 14 league outings.

On Tuesday night, they were defeated 1-0 by a Merstham side on that are in fifth place, behind the likes of Kingstonian, Metropolitan Police, Folkestone Invicta and Cray Wanderers.

“They are a decent side doing well in the table and probably shaded the first-half, but we responded well and controlled the rest of the game,” Lovell told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“They only had a couple of breaks and scored from a defensive error on our behalf. Unfortunately the only error the defence made all night was punished.

“We just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. We had done a complete circle. We are defending well now and stopped leaking goals, especially with (recent signing from Folkestone Invicta) Craig Wilkins slotting in but we can’t put our chances away; a problem that we didn’t have earlier in the season.

“We seem to lack a little confidence going forward, but it will only take a game where we turn it all around and will kick-start our season. It will happen.”

Lovell has also announced that midfielder, Antony Hogg, has been released and is now searching for a new club.

The former Sittingbourne man joined the Nuts & Bolts in January 2008, making 22 appearances and scoring three goals.

Lovell stated that he was unable to offer Hogg first-team football anymore.

He said: “We have a few players vying for them central midfield positions and especially now, with James Humphreys coming back into the squad, Hoggy was not really going to be in my plans for the rest of the season so we have let him go.”

Ashford Town travel to Fleet Town on Saturday, a side that are four places below Merstham in the table.

Winger Jimmy Bottle returns to the squad, as Lovell has a nearly full strength squad to choose from for the trip to Hampshire.  However, striker, Mark Lovell is out injured long-term.

“This league is really competitive and there are no easy games,” explained Lovell.

“Fleet are a decent side and it’s a tough place to go especially playing on their sloping pitch, but we will go at them.

“In training tonight we will work on a few things to put things right and we will go to Fleet with a positive attitude.

“We haven’t hit top form by a long stretch but we will. The players know they have let themselves down in recent weeks but I know they are keen to prove themselves to me.

“If things don’t improve then we will make changes. I created a whole new side last season and if I have to do it again this time around I will, but I’m sure it’s just down to a lack of form. We have some quality players here and I’m sure they will come good.”

With a few murmurs of discontent coming from the terraces, Lovell is staying defiant and is backing his players.

“I know a few of the fans are frustrated and of course they are entitled to their opinions but none can be more frustrated than I am at the moment,” said Lovell.

“We are all trying tour hardest to turn things around though and the fans have to appreciate that. We haven’t played well but we need to get a run going and push on.

“There have been a few moans and groans and they can say what they want but we have a strong dressing room and we all stick together and I’m sure we will put things right.

“I have the full backing of everyone behind the scenes at the club and we will work together to make this season a successful one.”

Article courtesy of www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Fleet Town v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 1^st November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Calthorpe Park, Crookham Road, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 5FA