Lovell rues his bad luck but aims to shake up injury hit squad

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell says he has been given funds for reinforcements - but admits it may be difficult to bring them in to the promotion chasing club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Nuts & Bolts’ promotion push took a blow yesterday, as goals inside the opening eighteen minutes from Leigh Bremner and Mark Willy ensured Cray Wanderers won the Kent derby showdown at Homelands Stadium yesterday.

But Lovell rued his bad luck as he lost the influential defensive rock Sean Ray to a groin injury during the warm-up and leading goalscorer Paul Jones was subbed after just thirteen minutes due to his troublesome hamstring.

Second top-scorer, Mitchell Sherwood (hamstring) and winger Jimmy Bottle (medial ligaments in his knee) were already ruled out and Lovell released striker Bradley Spice in midweek, through family commitments.

Writing inside his programme notes, chairman Mr Don Crosbie says he will support Lovell to bolster a threadbare squad.

“We are not going to panic and we won’t make wholesale changes,” said Mr Crosbie. “We will only go for players who will improve us. There are many players out there that will do us a good job and Steve has provided me with a long and detailed list of potential targets.

“Whilst we won’t be able to get them all, I’m confident that one or two further players will join us in our push for promotion and hopefully get us over the crucial finishing line.

“With new players coming in, some will, naturally, have to leave and Bradley Spice has done just that. I have to say that I’m disappointed to see him go because U don’t believe we saw the best of him in the green and white of Ashford.

“Still, I wish him well with his future footballing career and I hope that he sorts out the personal issues that are currently hampering his game.”

Following yesterday’s poor performance in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Cray Wanderers, who are now joint-top, the Nuts & Bolts have slipped to sixth place in the Ryman League Division One South table. That’s one place outside the play-off zone, but all is not lost as only six points separate the top eight sides.

“As I’ve said to the boys in there, I’m not going to give up until the last kick of the season,” Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday.

“Our injuries have come at the wrong time and you can build a team to get them going, but you’ve got to have an element of luck as well.

“If you can get through this time of the season without any injuries or suspensions, with a team you’ve done so well with then it’s a good chance.

“But as you say, it is hard to get players in but I’ve got to try and perhaps get one or two in to bolster our team for the final push.”

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

Croydon Athletic v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 28^th February 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Keith Tuckey Stadium, Off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN