The next two games are vitally important, says Lovell

Thursday 04th February 2010

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell says the likes of Matt Newman and Ronnie Dolan have put themselves in the frame to start Saturday’s home game against Walton & Hersham, writes Stephen McCartney.

The pair impressed the Welshman when they came off the bench during the second half with Ashford Town 4-0 down to an impressive Fleet Town side last night.

Ashford went on to lose the game 4-1 as Joe Fuller’s tenth goal of the season was a scant consolation and the club remain rooted to the foot of the Ryman League Division One South table, six points adrift of safety with 20 league games remaining.

Ashford welcome sixth-placed side Walton & Hersham to Homelands Stadium on Saturday, before a six-pointer against third-from-bottom Whitstable Town next Wednesday night.

“We’re training (on Wednesday night) and we’ll have a see what the walking wounded is and see how we are for Saturday,” Lovell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“But then it’s another game and if we can perform like we did second half then we’ll have a go.

“I know that we can perform, first half we didn’t perform against a good side. Perhaps we could’ve got away with it first half if we were playing one of the lesser sides but I think Fleet Town are probably one of the best sides that we’ve played this year.”

Lovell added: “The next two games are vitally important. We always knew this (Fleet game) would be a tough one because they’re a very good side.

“We knew it was going to be tough, especially with the injuries that we’ve got. I was pleased to get a lot of the boys a good run out with the ones that we’ve got coming back for Saturday, the next two games are really important so we’ll give it a go and give it our best shot and hopefully we’ll get something out of it.”

Lovell revealed that Toby Ashmore, Lee Hockey and Paul Jones should be available for selection on Saturday.

He added: “With the likes of Matt Newman and Ronnie Dolan, who came on today and did a really good job so they’ll push themselves into contention for a place on Saturday and they deserve it.”

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

Ashford Town v Walton & Hersham

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 6th February 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

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