We must put barren spell behind us, says Lovell

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell says he is confident that captain Sean Ray will be available for Saturday’s home game against Merstham, writes Sam Dixon.

The inspirational leader has been missing for the past two games with a groin injury - and after three successive defeats, the Nuts & Bolts face another tough task when they come up against the fellow promotion challengers at Homelands.

The Surrey side have been the surprise package this season, but their side, built on a solid defence, have quietly slid into the play-off fray and currently lie in sixth position in the Ryman League Division One South table.

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Merstham ran out victors by a single Kwabena Agyei strike. The defeat proved to be the last Ashford would suffer for another fifteen games.

Steve Lovell’s men will be looking to pick up the three points and embark on a similar kind of run until the end of the season, having dropped to eighth place in the table, four points adrift of fifth placed side Fleet Town.

But the Welshman knows that it will be a tough encounter but one that his men must rise to.

“Merstham come to us in a fine run of form and, as we know, they are a strong side,” Lovell told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“They have the second best defensive record in the league but we have to remain positive and put the previous couple of weeks behind us.

“We are all still extremely confident that we can be in the play-offs come the end of the season, but we have to raise our game.

“We have struggled with injuries but they are gradually returning and with a new face or two coming in we will be ready for the run-in. Three points are crucial on Saturday.”

Unfortunately the news on leading goalscorer Paul Jones, and Jimmy Bottle, is less positive as Jones is still struggling with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be involved whereas Bottle will be missing due to knee ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Josh Willis, meanwhile, is back in full training and could be named amongst the substitutes after turning out for the reserves this week.

Shawn Beveney, signed from Godlaming Town last week, will be handed his home debut after the former Cray Wanderers striker impressed against Croydon Athletic last weekend.

Article courtesy of www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Ashford Town v Merstham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ