Langton relishing important month ahead

ASHFORD TOWN assistant manager Hugo Langton says February is a very important month for the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Nuts & Bolts’ stretched their unbeaten run to twelve games at Dulwich Hamlet yesterday, sealing a point in a hard-fought contest on a cut-up pitch at Champion Hill.

Right-sided midfielder, Anthony Browne was red-carded for an over-the-ball tackle on Daryl Plummer and once tempers calmed down, Junior Kaffo bundled the ball over the line, following Benson Paka’s high curling free-kick, which wasn’t dealt with by Ashford goalkeeper Seb Barton.

But despite that 30^th minute set-back, Paul Jones’ 12^th goal of the season, ensured the Kent club came away from south London with a point, although it does end their run of seven straight wins.

Langton, who has previously coached Gillingham (ladies), Rusthall and Holmesdale, was in sole charge as manager Steve Lovell was at his Rainham home in bed with flu.

“Overall, considering what happened in the course of the 90 minutes, yes, very happy with it,” Langton told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

The Homelands outfit remain in fourth place in the Ryman League Division One South table - four points behind leaders Kingstonian (this article was written before the K’s home game against Walton Casuals today).

“Before the run started, we were drawing a lot of games and (there was) a little bit of discontent because people pay money to watch us play and they want to see us win,” said Langton.

“We kept drawing and I can understand that, but we’ve worked hard and the players never stopped believing.

“We knew when things started to click that we’d take some stopping on a weekly basis and I think the players are proving that week in week out.”

Forest Hill based Langton will be attending Cray Wanderers’ home clash against Metropolitan Police on Tuesday night, as the boys in blue visit The Homelands on Saturday.

It’s a big week for the two Kent clubs. Cray Wanderers held cash-rich Croydon Athletic to a goal-less draw yesterday, although they finished the game with nine-men, as Jamie Wood and later on, Dean Standen, were red carded.

The second placed Wands are only two points clear of the Nuts & Bolts, but Langton says it’s too early to be talking about winning titles.

“Well, I think talking of championships and things like that at this stage is a bit premature,” he said.

“It’s January, we’ve got sixteen games to go, everyone’s got to play each other, it’s all what happens now and the next few months.

“Obviously, for us, we’ve got a very busy February, we’ve got a tough game at home to the Metropolitan Police next week, but February is a big, big month for us and I think if we can maintain the standards that we’ve set ourselves at the end of February, maybe, we will look at it.”

Langton explained why he and Lovell are always on the road on scouting missions.

“I’d be there, it’s on my doorstep,” he said. “Of course I’d be there and I’m sure Steve, if he’s feeling better will be there as well.

“We try to watch as many sides as we can and prepare the players the best that we can.”

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

Ashford Town v Metropolitan Police
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 31^st January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ