Soccer Shorts: We are focused and ready for the challenge, says Ashford United coach Shaun Holland

ASHFORD UNITED coach Shaun Holland says the team are focused and ready for the challenge at Dunston UTS tomorrow.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Homelands Stadium after 120 minutes of football last Saturday and Ashford travelled up to Gateshead today for tomorrow’s FA Vase replay.

“Relaxing atmosphere on the long journey up to Gateshead,” said Holland on the eve of the last sixteen tie.

“As far as the game’s concerned, we are focused and ready for the challenge.

“We have worked in training on certain aspects which I’m sure will strengthen the team tomorrow.

“The experience, combined with youth, is a key factor to what we have built here at the club.

“Let’s hope the Nuts & Bolts can get through to the last eight.”

The winners will travel to Salisbury in The FA Vase Quarter-Finals on Saturday 20 February.

The Wiltshire side are managed by Steve Claridge, 49, a well-travelled striker.

CANTERBURY CITY joint-manager Ben Smith says he wants more consistency from his side.

Sevenoaks Town manager Micky Collins expressed his upset that his side were scheduled to travel to Ashford in midweek but with the venue being free due to Ashford United’s FA Vase replay in the North East tomorrow, the game has been brought forward.

“It will be an interesting game tomorrow against Sevenoaks,” said Smith, with his side in seventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League on 29 points from 21 games.

“There’s not a lot that separates us in the table and we probably both feel that we should be higher in the league than our current positions but the table doesn’t lie.

“We haven’t been consistent enough so far but you can see from the games we’ve played against the top three that there is real potential in this group and I guess it’s up to myself and Darren Beale to get this out the lads on a regular basis.

“I expect a tough game against them as they have assembled a good squad over the last year or so and added some quality this week, which will undoubtedly give them a lift.

“Apart from Dan Lawrence (who is suspended) we go into the game with a fully fit squad.

“With new signing Regan Payne included we’ll be confident of getting a positive result, but then I’m sure Micky Collins is saying exactly the same thing!”

Ninth-placed Sevenoaks Town have added Joe Fuller, Joe Bingham, Chinedu MacKenzie, Harry Slater and Kieron McCann to their squad in recent days.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has been praised by 20-year-old midfielder Ebrima Adams after he sealed a move to Premier League Norwich City.

Adams becomes the first player to leave the Darts to sign for a Premier League outfit.

“I left Dartford Football Club after five wonderful years to join Norwich City FC,” said Adams in a statement posed on www.dartfordfconline.co.uk.

“As a 15 year old boy I never imagined I would have achieved what I have so far in my short career and Dartford has given me the privilege to pull on the shirt and experience first team football and this is something I will be forever grateful for.

“Saturday 26th April 2014 was the day I will never forget, when the Gaffer gave me my first full debut away from home at Macclesfield Town FC.

“That match started me off on my journey as a footballer, and from then on every time I have worn the white and black shirt of Dartford I have given 100% for the club.

“I’d like to say thank you to EVERY member of staff behind the scenes, my team mates and coaches from my youth team day’s right up until now and the manager Tony Burman – a man who has shown me endless trust and support from day one. He gave me the chance to play football but I owe a great deal to you all and I hope I can do you proud as I start my new adventure with Norwich City FC.

“I will keep in contact with the club, be down to see you play whenever I can and always look for the results.

“Dartford is a great, well run club from top to bottom and I hope we can climb back up the ladder into the National League and maybe even further.

“Dartford FC is, and always will be, a special club to me. I wish you nothing but success for many, many years to come and I hope to see you all again soon.

“All the very best and thank you.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED front man Alex Osborn has joined Concord Rangers on loan for a month.

It is the third loan deal this season for Osborn, 22, following spells at Hayes & Yeading United and Maidstone United.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge player has featured five times for the Fleet this season, scoring twice in the Kent Senior Cup, to bring his club total to 11 goals in 74 games. He first joined the club on loan from Dagenham in 2013, making the move to Stonebridge Road permanent the following season.

A club statement, which was published on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk said: “Concord almost sealed a loan deal for Osborn this time last season but that move fell through because of injury.

“However, the Essex club have returned for the player this month and he will join them for a second spell in a run of fixtures that includes games against Gosport Borough, Truro City, Dartford and Oxford City.”