Lovell wants to end campaign on a strong note - EXCLUSIVE

STEVE LOVELL is disappointed that the seasons coming to an end, especially as his Ashford Town side are hitting good form, writes Stephen McCartney.

Boss Lovell takes his side to Whitstable Town tonight with a four match unbeaten run under their belts.

Presently sitting in tenth place in the Ryman League Division One South on 57 points, the Homelands outfit are 13 points adrift of fifth placed side Worthing but have run out of games to make an impact this term.

After their trip to Belmont Road tonight, Ashford welcome Chipstead (Saturday) and Walton Casuals (Tuesday 22^nd April) before travelling to Worthing on the last day of the season.

But the signs are good for Lovell as he bids to turn the club into promotion hunters next season.

“That’s the disappointing aspect really that we are going to finish only a couple of points short of the play-off’s and that’s the disappointing fact especially after the start of the season that Ashford had,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk just hours before the kick-off at Belmont Road.

“We have improved immensely and we’ve put together some good performances and we’ve got a decent squad now.”

Lovell revealed that he will be without midfielder Ryan Briggs (flu) and striker Walid Matata (hamstring) tonight and will rest full-back Daniel Brathwaite. He will make a decision whether to rest Anthony Browne or Mitchell Sherwood just before he hands in his team-sheet.

The former Sittingbourne boss admits he doesn’t mind playing on a Thursday night because his side aren’t challenging for a play-off place.

“If we were in a position to push for the play-off’s then obviously I wouldn’t have been happy but now we can only finish seventh, it gives me opportunities to play players who haven’t played many games recently,” he said.

But one thing that is for certain is whatever team the Welshman puts out in their last four league games, they’ll be good enough to perform.

“I’d try and win the game as you’ve got supporters who travel or turn up to watch games,” he said.

“If you did something like that (not wanting to win) you’d be cheating your supporters.”

Lovell praised Whitstable manager Marc Seager - a former team-mate at Deal Town when the pair collected FA Vase winners medals in 2000 - for what he has achieved at Belmont Road.

“He’s done very well after taking them up (from the Kent League) last year,” said Lovell.

“He’s kept them in the (Ryman) League, which I think was the aim of the club and Marc has done very well.

“He’s got a lot of good, young players down there and hopefully he’ll be able to build on that next year and move further up the league.”

Looking ahead to his remaining games, Lovell added: “I just want to keep the run going (as) we’re playing well.

“The last three games at home we’ve won, not conceded a goal and that’s the type of form you’ve got to look at to start next year.

“If we can finish on a strong note it shows that we’re not far short of actually being a decent team.”

Visit club websites: 

www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Thursday 17^th April 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP