We must win to keep our season alive, says Lovell - EXCLUSIVE

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell hopes it will be a very Good Friday for his side as he maintains the belief of qualifying for the play-off’s, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Nuts & Bolts boss has targeted three points from the visit of Whyteleafe tomorrow, before travelling down to champions-elect Dover Athletic on Easter Monday.

Ashford Town are currently sitting in 12^th place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with 47 points and if they beat the Surrey outfit tomorrow, they can keep their play-off dreams alive.

At present the Kent club are ten points adrift of fifth placed side Worthing - with two games in hand.

“The more we keep winning games the more it keeps the season alive regarding the play-off positions,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I think there’s only one spot left really and that’s the fifth spot and if you look at it, seven or eight teams are still in with a chance.

“As I’ve said every game we need to win. Tomorrow is a massive game in the fact that if we get a win we go into the Dover game knowing we need to get a result there to keep the season alive.”

Table-topping Kent rivals, Dover Athletic, are 13 points clear of Tooting & Mitcham United, and will surely be playing Ryman Premier League football come August.

Like last season, Ashford Town have had a very hectic run-in as games get called off during the course of the season due to waterlogged pitches at The Homelands.

“We’ve had a lot of games, a few people carrying knocks so for the last four to five weeks we’ve cut down on the training because the boys are playing a lot of games and their fit enough to approach these games,” explained Lovell.

“I’ll train next week because we’ll play Monday and train Thursday for next Saturday’s match. Then we’ve got two games a week until the end of the season so that’s sufficient to keep the boys ticking over.”

Lovell revealed today that he’s released midfielder Nick Barnes, 25, who has signed for table-topping Ryman League Division One North side Dartford.

“He wasn’t in the team so I couldn’t guarantee him a start,” explained Lovell.

“I’ve got quite a few midfield players so he’s done well for me earlier in the season but I think he wants to play regularly and I don’t think he was good enough to get in my midfield so it’s best that he moved.”

Lovell has recalled Joe Hitchins, 17, from his loan spell at Kent League side Tunbridge Wells and has signed Toby Ashmore, from his former club Sittingbourne, following his release a few weeks ago.

“I’ve brought Joe Hitchins back from Tunbridge Wells, he’s come back to fill the void left by Nick Barnes,” said Lovell.

“I’ve signed Toby Ashmore to come in to play right-back or centre half. And I’ll be signing a forward within the next week before the (transfer) deadline.”

Lovell added: “I’ll have Lee Spiller, whose out on loan at Sittingbourne, who I can call back anytime after the deadline’s passed.

“I’ve got Lee Hockey, who should be back for two weeks from his broken nose, so that should be enough to see us through and hopefully continue our run.”

Looking ahead to their Easter games, Lovell said of Whyteleafe, “They’re like most teams in this league, up and down.

“And I think that sums up our league apart from perhaps Dover who as Andy (Hessenthaler) has said hasn’t performed as well as he’d like them to but has still managed to win games.

“That’s a great position to be in, knowing your team aren’t performing to it’s best, but still getting the results.

“They’ve been the most consistent in their results and deserve to be at the top.

“That’s why it’s important to get a result tomorrow against Whyteleafe. If we can get a result tomorrow, it’s more an emphasis on us knowing the importance of it.”

Lovell knows the Dover Athletic management team of Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare well, from their time at Gillingham.

And he said: “I spent a few years with them at Gillingham and they’ve both done a good job down there.

“A lot of the players, Jon Wallis, Alan Pouton, Frannie Collin, Lee Browning, we all know and know what good players they are.”

But Lovell says Ashford Town will be challenging for the title next season.

“Next year, for Ashford’s point of view, it would be very disappointing if we’re not in the top two or three twelve months on,” said Lovell.

“I’ve had enough experience in the non-league game, I think it’s my 16^th season now in non-league football at this level.

“I’ve got loads of contacts and obviously I’d like to think I’ve got enough knowledge to definitely give it a go next year.

“The only disappointing fact is perhaps if myself and Ashford were united a little bit earlier we’d might have been a little bit closer to the play-off’s.”

The former Sittingbourne boss was appointed Ashford’s manager when Clive Walker was controversially sacked at the end of October.

And Lovell said: “Circumstances sometimes sort of dictate decisions and fair play to Ashford, they were fair with the old management team and wanted them to have a go.

“Obviously things didn’t turn out the way they would like it but that’s football, but those things happen, at times you can’t do anything about.”

Former Ashford Town manager Clive Walker has since moved to one of his former clubs, Maidstone United to assist Alan Walker with coaching.

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

ASHFORD TOWN’S EASTER PROGRAMME:

Good Friday, 21^st March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
Ashford Town v Whyteleafe
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ

Easter Monday, 24^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
Dover Athletic v Ashford Town
At SeaFrance Crabble Stadium, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB