Springett boost for Lovell for Trophy tie at Bognor Regis

Thursday 15th October 2009

ASHFORD TOWN go into this weekend’s FA Carlsberg Trophy First Round tie away to Ryman Premier strugglers Bognor Regis Town with renewed hope following the 2-1 win against Eastbourne Town last night, writes Mike Green.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, boss Steve Lovell said "We'll go there in a good position after winning on Wednesday.

“I saw Bognor play at Longmead a couple of weeks ago, where I honestly thought that they played well - there were times where they didn't let Tonbridge in the game, and overall I thought the game was a lot tighter than the result suggested."

Given their lowly league position, the Ashford boss admitted it had been a tough start to the season.

"Sure it’s been frustrating result wise," he said "but its been so rewarding for Hugo (Langton) and I at the same time. As far as I'm concerned this is almost a new club this season! We lost eight or nine players during the summer which was a huge disappointment obviously, and we were faced with the task of either rolling our sleeves up and having a go or just sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves. And that is something that I've never done in my career!"

"I always said that the first ten games would be our pre season and we're now at the stage.

“We've a lot of young players who want to learn which has to be applauded. Even Mitchell Sherwood, who was in my Gillingham Community side at 14, is only 23, and other like Jon Ralph and Carl Harold are so so eager... I just wish I could remember being that eager," Lovell added with a huge smile on his face!

"Seriously though, a manger enjoys results or course he does, and others judge results from what they see on the football field.

“I'm just hoping that we will come out of this the same way as the side developed last year when our fans expected us to win every game. This year at the moment it’s different and they don't know what to expect, and that in its own way is exciting.

“Rest assured though Hugo and I want to win every game, and if we can get even part of the way there by collective improvements then that will probably prove to be for more challenging than last season and without a doubt much more rewarding for everyone at the club."

"We'll go to Bognor on Saturday to enjoy ourselves. Liam (Daish) has said that Jamie (Forshaw) is out as he doesn't want him cup tied, but Steven Springett can play so that's bonus!

“I suppose you have to say that on current form something's got to give! They've been losing most of their games and we've lost most of ours so it'll probably be either a high scoring game or a 0-0 bore draw.”

One thing is though vital" the Ashford boss concluded, "we must build on Wednesdays win, and if we do I cant see why we couldn't possibly bring them back for a replay, or who knows even beat them first time up! We know it'll be tough, but we'll go and enjoy our day and see what happens."

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

Bognor Regis Town v Ashford Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Saturday 17^th October 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 2TY