Lovell starts new building job at Ashford Town

Wednesday 22nd July 2009

ASHFORD TOWN return to Homelands tomorrow night, albeit for an away game against tenants Maidstone United, with a new-look side, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Nuts & Bolts began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win at Kent League side Tunbridge Wells last weekend, and manager Steve Lovell is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“It’s been well publicised about the problems that the club have had in the close season at the end of last season, but that’s behind us now and we’re moving on,” Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“We’ve lost quite a few players as everyone knows, but we’re building up, getting there, and I know that by August the 15th we’ll have a decent enough team and squad to give it a go this year.”

Lovell said that Danny Lye, Ryan Briggs, Paul Jones, Mitchell Sherwood, John Ralph, Toby Ashmore, Lee Hockey and Anthony Browne have remained faithful to Ashford and he has some good news concerning his son, Mark.

The 26-year-old striker endured a frustrating injury-hit campaign last season - and is eager to return to impress the Homelands faithful.

“He’s going to be another three weeks away so he’ll miss the first couple of games of the season but he will be fit,” said the manager.

“He’s had a week rehab, he’s been up at Lilleshall, he’s had a week up there getting his final assessments and they reckon he’s only three weeks away from match fitness because he’s been doing a bit up there.

“Hopefully Mark will be in the frame this year. He’s been working really hard trying to get himself fit.

“I know what it’s like when you’re out injured, I had a year out with my cartlidge when I was at Millwall. It’s a horrible situation, you’re training on your own. It’s a mental strength and you come through it and you’re stronger when you come through the other end.

“When Mark gets on the field he’ll put that all behind him and all he will think about is what will happen this year and years to come. Let’s hope he can fulfil the potential Mark has always had.”

Reflecting on his new-look side’s victory at Culverden Stadium last weekend, Lovell said: “There were lots of new faces. We did quite well considering they haven’t seen each other before.

“I played two or three first teamers, but I can’t say first teamers at the moment because I don’t know what they’re going to be.

“It was a good display, we could have won it a little bit more but we got what we wanted out of it - fitness and the boys having 90 minutes under their belts.”

Lovell and his assistant, Hugo Langton, are relishing the opportunity of rebuilding a side ahead of their Ryman League Division One South campaign, which gets under way with a trip to big-spending Croydon Athletic on 15th August.

“It’s quite interesting because it’s like me and Hugo are starting afresh with a new team, a new squad, working on youngsters and systems,” said Lovell.

“It’s quite exciting and we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I think the expectations at the club this year, away from the playing staff, I think won’t be that great, but we want to put out a good team and make sure we put in a challenge this year.

“There’s no point going out there and going through the motions. We’ll work hard and have a decent enough squad together to give us a good challenge this year.”

Looking ahead to the eagerly awaited Stones’ showdown, Lovell added, “I’ll be looking at two or more trialists’ in the game, giving them an hour to progress their pre-season.”

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

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone United v Ashford Town

Pre-Season Friendly

Thursday 23rd July 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ