It's a great opportunity to get some silverware for the club, says Ashford assistant John Ovard

ASHFORD UNITED assistant manager John Ovard says playing Beckenham Town in the Kent Senior Trophy Final on Sunday is a welcome distraction from the league.

Ashford Untied have wrestled back their place at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League table from Whyteleafe.

Paul Chambers’ side have collected 66 points from 28 games, but they will lose top spot tomorrow if Whyteleafe win at third-placed Tunbridge Wells.

Whyteleafe have collected 65 points from 27 games, while Martin Larkin’s side – on 60 points from 27 games - are ready to pounce if the top two slip up.

Ovard says he will be at Culverden Stadium to watch their nearest title rivals lock horns, ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering clash against Beckenham Town.

Jason Huntley’s side have scored 115 goals in 46 games this season and are playing in their fourth Kent Senior Trophy Final, having previous lost to Fisher Athletic (1981-82) and Thamesmead Town (2004-05 and 2007-08).

“We are looking forward to the game on Sunday and go into it seeing it as a bonus and we will enjoy it,” said Ovard.

“It’s a welcome distraction from the league and it’s a great opportunity for the players to get some silverware for the club.

“It’s been quite a while since the club won something so we’ll try our best and we’ll have to be at our best to beat a good Beckenham side.

“It’s also a big day for our loyal supporters that follow the lads round watching us so we want to win this as a thank you to them.”

Ashford Untied defeated Beckenham Town 3-0 at Homelands Stadium in their last game, but Ovard insists the result on Tuesday night holds no bearing on the showpiece final at Tonbridge Angels’ Longmead Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

He said: “The league result last week against Beckenham was just another three points that we needed to keep Whyteleafe under pressure and we wanted to have a better performance than when we last played them away and lost.

“I don’t think league games against each other has any relevance on Sunday. It will be the team that works the hardest and takes their chances on the day that will win it.”

Ovard will be watching two big games this weekend as Ashford United bid to win promotion to the Ryman League in their final four league games.

“I’ll be at the Tunbridge Wells v Whyteleafe game on Saturday first as it’s a massive pressure game for both teams and it gives me the chance to have a look at them each again in preparation for our games against them and then go into Sunday’s game, hopefully enjoying a good performance and result.”

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

Ashford United  v  Beckenham Town
Kent Senior Trophy Final Sponsored by Spire Alexandra Hospital
Sunday 13^th April 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF