We've set ourselves a little challenge and we've got to crack on now, says Paul Chambers

PAUL CHAMBERS has challenged his Ashford United team to go unbeaten for the rest of the Kent Invicta League season.

 

Third-placed Ashford United have a game in hand over unbeaten leaders Phoenix Sports but they will have to claw back a 13-point deficit to take the title.

Chambers told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: "There's a long way to go and there are lots of games to play - but we want to go unbeaten for the rest of the season.

"We've set ourselves a little challenge and we've got to crack on now. If we go unbeaten 'will we win the league?', I don't know, but I think the weather will play a part in it too.

"It'll test the strengths of the squads. You need a big squad as players are going to end up playing twice a week and it'll be hard for them."

Ashford’s game against Lewisham Borough was postponed due to the snow while no game was scheduled for last Saturday.

Chambers had given his squad a week off to relax and get over any niggles but they were back in hard training on Tuesday night.

Chambers said: "The break has come at a good time for us to be honest. We had a few tough games in a row and we needed to get over that.

"It's been good for the squad to relax for a bit. Players were carrying niggles and it's helped them out.

"For people like Kieran Byrne, Gary Mickelborough, Lee Coburn and Ben Jordan, they've had a couple of weeks to get over a few little injuries.

"Games had been coming thick and fast so I wanted to let the lads settle down for a bit and have a bit of time away. They should come back fit and firing and it'll do them the world of good."

Chambers has signed right-back Ashley Porter - the younger brother of Hythe Town manager Scott - on dual registration terms and he will be available for the trip to Orpington on Saturday.

Chambers said: "We signed Ashley and he's going to come in and play a few games. It's about beefing the squad up. I want to keep everyone on their toes.

"I'm talking to a couple of other players too. I'm happy with the squad we've got but we're always looking to try and improve it. If there's a chance we can get better players in, we'll get them.

"The lads we've got are superb, don't get me wrong, but you've got to look at who comes available."

Orpington sit tenth in the Kent Invicta League table, with six wins and a couple of draws from their 16 league games, sixteen points adrift of Chambers’ side.

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

Orpington  v  Ashford United
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 2^nd February 2013
Kick Off 2:00pm
At Green Court Road Sports Ground, Green Court Road, Crockenhill, Kent BR8 8HJ