Lovell submits seven-day approach for midfielder - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Wednesday 09th January 2008

Tonight www.kentishfootball.co.uk brings you EXCLUSIVE Ryman League match previews, speaking to Jim Ward (Ramsgate), Tony Burman (Dartford), Steve Lovell (Ashford Town), Steve Binks (Chatham Town) and Gary Abbott (Sittingbourne).

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward sees their game against second placed side Hendon as a must-win game, writes Stephen McCartney.

The north Londoners arrive at fortress Southwood Stadium – only Staines Town have won there in the league – sitting just three points behind Ryman Premier League leaders Chelmsford City – but eleven points clear of the Thanet side.

“I think it’s our biggest game of the season,” admitted Ward, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“If we beat them we can catch Hendon with games in hand. But if we get beat they’ll be miles away.

“It is a massive game. I don’t see Wimbledon, Chelmsford or Staines coming out of the top five.

“We have got every right to be included in the shake up with the other teams that could go forward – we’ve got to earn the right.”

Hendon manager Gary McCann has changed around his side’s fortunes and many didn’t predict that the Claremont Road outfit would be challenging for the title.

Ward said: “Fair play to them. I think we beat them three times last year. Gary tells me he’s got the same players (as last season). He’s doing a good job.”

Will Graham and Dan Tanner “are more than likely to start the game” but Nick Davis (one match) and Ollie Schulz (four) are suspended.

Relegation threatened Ilford have picked up just four points from a possible 30 – so it’s a bad time for the Essex side to make the short trip over the bridge to play third placed Dartford on Saturday.

Dartford, one point behind current leaders AFC Sudbury, but with a game in hand, have scored a whopping 31 goals during their last seven league games – averaging four a game, so Ilford’s goalkeeper is expecting a busy time at Princes Park.

“What we mustn’t do is be complacent,” said Darts boss Tony Burman, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’ve got a job to do and we must stay focused regardless of whoever we play.

“The players will be warned about it and there’s enough characters now in the changing room to make sure we get things right and as far as we’re concerned we’re playing a team that’s at the top of the league.”

Burman, meanwhile, is relishing the challenges set for his side as they bid to clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League.

AFC Sudbury (47 points), Edgware Town (47), Dartford (46), Enfield Town (45), Ware (42), Redbridge (42) and Maldon Town (42) all have a say in the destination of the Ryman League Division One North title.

“It is looking interesting,” admitted Burman. “It’s making for better reading if you like with no team pulling away just yet.

“It’s a credit to the northern section. It’s quite tight but we’re just concentrating on the next two months, which are very important.

“We’ve got to stay focused on what we do and not rely on or worry what other teams do.”

Striker Jay May has completed his suspension but pacy-winger Phil Williams will have his fitness assessed at training on Thursday night, having suffered a slight hamstring problem last weekend.

“For the first time, hopefully, I will have a full squad to pick from,” explained Burman.

“I’ve not had it enough to be fair. It’s difficult to keep everybody happy but I will try and do that.

“It’s good that we’ve got a squad and it will prove its point as we’re still at the right end of the table.”

Burman, whose daughter Danielle came out of hospital on Tuesday, added: “It’s what we do from now on. I’m confident that we want to get promoted. I’d love us to win the title, that’s got to be our aim but we do want to be promoted.”

Steve Lovell feels his Ashford Town side can give in-form side Cray Wanderers a tricky time at The Homelands on Saturday.

Since losing 3-2 at home to Tooting & Mitcham United – the new leaders of the Ryman League Division One South table – on the last day of October, Ian Jenkins side have gone thirteen league games unbeaten.

Cray Wanderers are presently in third place – three points behind the Terrors and Dover Athletic, who both have 50 points, although Andy Hessenthaler’s Whites must be favourites to land the title as they have three games in hand.

But despite his own side sitting in fourteenth place, Lovell is confident his side will compete against the in-form visitors.

“If we play like we have been doing and keep advancing and progressing in the way we’re going, I think we’ll give them a good game,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’re more than a match for them and if we get the run of the ball, which every club needs, I’m sure we’ll get a result.”

The former Sittingbourne boss has certainly done his homework on the Hayes Lane outfit.

He said: “I’ve seen them play about three or four times this year. They’re a very strong side and they’ve got some very experienced players, players that have been around this standard for a while.

“It’s going to be a difficult game. They’re undefeated in the last thirteen games so it’s going to be tough but we should be strong enough to give them a good game.”

Lovell revealed goalkeeper Jamie Riley is back in contention for Saturday’s derby, having pulled up in the warm-up before their 2-1 win at struggling Horsham YMCA last weekend.

However, Sam Moore will retain his place if the former East Thurrock United goalkeeper fails his fitness test.

And Lovell revealed that he’s submitted a seven-day approach for a midfield player and will be able to speak to him early next week.

Chatham Town manager Steve Binks has warned Dulwich Hamlet that his side are more than capable of sealing their sixth league win of the season at Champion Hill.

That follows defeats against Chipstead and Cray Wanderers and last weekend’s goal-less draw at Maidstone Road against Croydon Athletic.

“We done everything right, couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” Binks reflected, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Defended well, worked hard, kept possession, had a larger percentage of the game possession wise.

“Second half we totally dominated, just couldn’t score that all important goal.

“Happy with the performance but disappointed we couldn’t get all three.”

He added: “I think the last three home games, Croydon, Corinthian-Casuals and Chipstead, we’ve dropped points really.”

Saturday’s trip to Champion Hill starts a tough run of fixtures against Dover Athletic (home), Metropolitan Police (away) and Worthing (home).

And Binks said: “We’ve got some tough games. Having said that our away record this season is better than our home record.

”So Dulwich on Saturday, we’ve lost ten in the league and they’ve lost six. It’s a very thin dividing line sometimes of getting three points or none at all. I’m optimistic about the month ahead.

“Dulwich are the form side in the division – so were Dover when we beat them, Met Police and Kingstonian.”

Chatham will draft Polish reserve team goalkeeper Miroslav Oravec into the side as John Whitehouse is a doubt with a shoulder injury.

Defender Dan Larkin, however, is suffering from flu, but Shane Suter and Tom Davey have returned from separate skiing holidays and are available for selection.

Sittingbourne manager Gary Abbott has targeted four points from their next two home games – against Whyteleafe on Saturday and struggling Horsham YMCA next Tuesday.

Looking ahead to the two Bourne Park clashes, Abbott, 42, said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk : “We’re looking to get four points out of the six really, but six points would be brilliant.”

First up is a Whyteleafe side that’s one place – and one point – below the ninth placed Brickies.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” warned Abbott. “They’re not a bad side, like Burgess Hill, a quick nippy side. We have to be at our best to get three points.”

Abbott, meanwhile, will warn his players about complacency when relegation threatened Horsham YMCA visit next Tuesday.

The Goring’s Mead outfit are second from bottom in the Ryman League Division One South table – two points adrift of Eastbourne Town.

“I’ve told the players it’s going to be hard, whether they’re top or bottom,” he said.

“We can’t think we’re going to turn up and get three points as everybody beats each other so hopefully we’ll sort them out on Tuesday.”

And with his side on a five-match unbeaten run Abbott retains continuity.

“Exactly the same team as it was Saturday,” he revealed. “I’m not going to change anything, no need.

“There’s no need to change a side that’s not got beat for five games. People on the bench will have to be patient and take their chance when they get it.”

Visit club websites:

www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

www.chathamtownfc.net

www.sittingbournefc.co.uk