We let ourselves down big time against Bearsted, says Ashford United boss Paul Chambers

ASHFORD UNITED'S quest to win the Kent Invicta League title took a double blow on Saturday.

 

Leaders Phoenix Sports dropped two points at home to Sutton Athletic but Paul Chambers’ Ashford United failed to capitalise as they lost 3-1 to Bearsted.

And to rub salt in the Ashford wounds, captain Ollie Finch was forced off in the first half with a knee injury and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

It made it a day to forget for Chambers, who believed his side were simply not good enough.

He told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: "It's very disappointing - I can't put my finger on where that came from.

"We had been playing so well but we let ourselves down big time.

"I can't stick up for anybody after that, none of the players. They just weren't good enough. It was one of them games.

"Too many players had off days throughout the team.

"Added to that, Ollie Finch will be out for quite a long time with his knee ligaments.

"It's really frustrating - he's massive for us."

Damian Abel netted a penalty for Ashford United - the third game in a row he's scored in - during stoppage time but by that point it was too late.

Chambers felt his side should have had a first-half spot-kick when Adam Cuthbert was brought down - but refused to use it as an excuse.

He said: "The referee was poor and we could have had two penalties but there are no excuses.

"If we get a penalty and go ahead it's suddenly a different game

"But it just felt like a lot of players weren't really up for it. I said after the game it's all right turning up and beating the bottom sides but we've got to do the same when we play teams at the top."

Ashford sit in third place and are seven points behind unbeaten Phoenix Sports. Hollands & Blair lay second, a point ahead of Ashford United with a game in hand.

Jamie Collado came on for Gary Mickelborough with 12 minutes to play and was the sole player that impressed the boss.

Chambers said: "He did really well. He was only on that really did anything - he was our best player when he came on."

Goalkeeper Joe Mant is due to travel off to America to play but he will be available to play Orpington at Homelands Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Article courtesy of Jack Wilson - www.ashfordunited.co.uk