Work on training ground pays dividends for in-form Ashford

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell says tactical work on the training ground has helped with his side’s recent impressive form, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Nuts & Bolts stretched their unbeaten run in the league to four games with a 2-1 win at Metropolitan Police at the weekend.

However, Lovell, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their home game with Chipstead, admitted he wasn’t impressed with the boys in blue.

“We played very well,” said Lovell. “To be fair we could have won it by a few more.

“Well, I’m not being funny, they didn’t really impress me much, but I think that was down to us and the way we approached the game.

“We worked on our defensive patterns, away from home, during the week and hopefully getting them on the break and the boys responded really well and we thoroughly deserved our win.”

Lovell, a striker during his playing days, has worked on defensive play during training sessions, and he’s pleased that that hard-graft is starting to play dividends.

“I wasn’t too bothered about us scoring goals, it was conceding them that was the problem,” explained Lovell.

“The last four (league) games we’ve only conceded two goals so I’m happy with that.

“Hopefully we can go into the next two or three games with a positive attitude towards defending well and hopefully creating a few chance.

“The time is very important, what you spend with them (at training). I don’t just turn up and train. We work on things in training. We talk about things and discuss and I get feedback from the players and we work as a unit and we get things sorted out.

“Everyone’s part of the squad that we’re looking to push forward so even the younger ones should have a say and it’s encouraging when they do speak up and get involved in the conversation.”

Victory for sixth-placed Ashford, over a Chipstead side that’s struggling in the bottom four, could see the Kent side rise up to second in the Ryman League Division One South table - depending on results.

A good position to be in ten games into the season.

And Lovell said: “We’re doing alright. We could go second tomorrow if we win so if someone came to me at the start of the season (and said) after ten games you’d be in the top three or four, I’d take it.

“There’s a lot of hard work to come and we’ve got to keep moving on. I feel we’re getting stronger every week.”

However, all is quiet on the transfer front at present, with Lovell adding: “I’m still on the look out for a couple of players, but I’m not going to jump in. There’s certain kinds of players I’m looking at and when they become available I’ll make enquiries.”

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

Ashford Town v Chipstead
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 30^th September 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ