Lovell has high hopes for new striker

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell has praised recent arrival, Ivorian striker Claude Seanla, writes Stephen McCartney.

Seanla impressed during his debut, scoring both goals in the Nuts & Bolts surprise 3-2 home defeat to Chipstead on Tuesday night.

And Lovell, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, says Seanla commutes from Milton Keynes and is willing to make a good impression with the Kent club.

“He’s a young lad, he’s very keen, got a great attitude and I think he’s got potential,” said Lovell.

“He’s prepared to work at his game and he enjoys his football and he could do well for us.

“He started at Tottenham as a kid, Watford and had a spell at Barnet so I think club’s could see the potential there, but I don’t think they were prepared to spend the time to develop him.

“He had a few games with Tonbridge (reserves) and (Angels boss) Tommy Warrilow told me about him and I gave him a chance and to score two in your first game is a good start so hopefully he can continue that.

“He lives in Milton Keynes so he’s not local (but) at the end of the day if he wants to show the commitment, I don’t mind that.

“We had players before that have lived a long way away and couldn’t commit themselves but it’s a different story when people want to commit themselves to us.

“I want him to enjoy his football. He’ll get himself down for training and if he wants to do that it shows that his committed to the cause.”

Lovell was disappointed that his side’s four match unbeaten run in the league was ended by Chipstead and that defensive frailties returned to haunt his side.

“First half we were in control and it was a mad ten minutes really when they scored three goals - we gave them three bad goals, simple as that,” bemoaned the Welshman.

Lovell made the brave division to bring on three substitutes at the break, and this almost paid off, although winger Jimmy Bottle was forced off with a head injury, thus the Nuts & Bolts ending the game with ten-men.

“We had to do something. I changed the formation, changed personnel, and second half the boys responded very well,” reflected Lovell.

“”We went down to ten-men after ten minutes into the second half, but then we scored two when we went down to ten-men and we could have won the game 5-3.

“Jimmy went off with a cut to the head, a nasty one. He’s had stitches in his head so he won’t be available. I think he’ll be alright for next week. It’s just how bad the cut was and it was a bad one. We won’t be taking any chances with him tomorrow.”

Lovell takes his side to Ryman League Division One North side Great Wakering Rovers in the preliminary round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy.

And Lovell said: “I just want to find a level of consistency really with our performances. At the moment, we cant put the whole game together of good consistent football and when we do we have good results, i.e. Met Police away last week, Leatherhead, Whitstable at home.

“At the moment we’re inconsistent and always likely to concede goals.”

Speaking about the Essex side, Lovell said: “They’ve let in 21 goals this year, we’ve scored 21, so I don’t know if that’s got any significance. We’ll go there and hopefully put on a solid performance and start getting some consistency in our play.

“Every game is important and tomorrow will be no different to any other game that we prepare for.

“I might change the system tomorrow because second half the other night I thought the lads did very well and should be getting another chance tomorrow.”

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

Great Wakering Rovers v Ashford Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 4^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Burroughs Park, Little Wakering Hall Lane, Great Wakering, Essex SS3 0HH