We'll give someone a hammering soon, warns Lovell - EXCLUSIVE

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell has completed the signing of midfielder Anthony Hogg, 27, from his former club Sittingbourne - the third player to make the switch from Bourne Park, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Dover Athletic and Dartford midfielder, however, misses Saturday’s trip to league leaders Tooting & Mitcham United, serving a one-match ban for picking up five yellow cards in the red and black of Sittingbourne.

Lovell, who submitted a seven-day approach for the player last week, swooped to sign the player on a free-transfer, having received permission to speak to him today.

“I could speak to him today so I spoke to him and he wants to come to us and I’m pleased that he’s joining us,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Hogg follows defender - and long throw specialist - Lee Hockey and winger Mitchell Sherwood to The Homelands and Lovell admitted that he’s happy to be working with the trio again.

“I know what I can get out of them,” said the Welshman. “I know they’re honest boys who love their football and they want to go forward and advance their football.

“I know the main thing is what qualities they’ve got and their personalities and I know they will be great in the dressing room and that’s so important.”

Full-back Aaron Freeman is still on the sidelines following his groin operation and midfielder Lee Spiller is suffering with a long-term knee problem, and Lovell said: “I’ve got to re-asses the situation now. I’ve got a couple out injured long-term. Apart from them I’ve got seventeen players. It’s not a massive squad but I just need numbers because there’s a lot of games coming up in February.”

Ashford Town’s derby against high-flying Cray Wanderers last weekend was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at The Homelands, and all football fixtures involving our sides were wiped out tonight due to the wet weather.

“Ashford’s pitch this year is very boggy, which is going to be sorted out (in time for) next season when we have the drainage done and it will be fine next season,” revealed the full-time Ashford boss.

“We have to do this year and get all the games on and catch up on the games we’re missing really.”

Lovell is relishing Saturday’s trip to Imperial Fields to lock horns with Tooting & Mitcham United - the new Ryman League Division One South leaders.

Billy Smith/George Wakeling’s side have taken advantage of Dover Athletic’s three successive draws to climb to the summit - although the east Kent side have three games in hand over the Terrors.

“They’re obviously top of the league, a very tough game, but away from home we’ve been very good this year, especially since I’ve taken over,” explained Lovell.

“We’ve won a few games away from home and got some good results so if we play to our full strength we’ll give them a decent game.

“It’s like anything in this league, as you say, Dover against Eastbourne, nothing can be taken for granted.”

The struggling east Sussex side frustrated the Whites at SeaFrance Crabble Stadium last weekend with negative tactics, which resulted in a goal-less draw.

And Lovell said: “When you have a team that want to play football you have to have a plan B if you like.

“When it does become boggy you have to adapt to it so the best team that adapts to it will go up.

“January and February are important months when the pitches are really that bad.”

Lovell’s last visit to Tooting saw his Sittingbourne side miss three penalties, one from his son Mark, and two from Hogg.

“When I was at Sittingbourne we played them last year and we missed three penalties and drew
2-2 up there. It was a very eventful game,” he recalled.

“They have two experienced managers up there who will make them prepared for the game.

“Their last game at home they drew against Worthing and again they’ve been doing a bit better away from home than at home.

“I know their keeper, Dave King, has been around a long time, (and is a) good experienced keeper.

“They’re very good going forward. Defensively, if we can get at them we can cause them problems.

“Our defence has been very good. If you look at the goals against we have been very good, especially in the last seven games.

“We are creating a lot of chances but not sticking them away. Sooner or later someone will get a good hammering, hopefully it will be pretty soon!”

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


Tooting & Mitcham United v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 19^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 6BF