Ashford United (H) Preview – Lewes Community Football Club

Ashford United (H) Preview


Ashford United (H) Preview

Men's football news

The Rooks return to league action at The Dripping Pan this Saturday when Ashford United come to pay their first visit to Lewes. After Tuesday’s last minute defeat at Pagham in the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, Darren will look forward welcoming back most of his first team squad although he does have injury concerns over Bouwe Bosma and Alex Malins, whilst Charlie Coppola is still a doubt after exiting early in last Saturday’s game at Greenwich Borough.

How has this season been for Ashford United?
It’s been a bit of a baptism of fire for Ashford United having been promoted from the Southern Counties East Premier League last season, having struggled to score goals and grab points. They had to wait until mid-September for their first win and have only taken one point on their travels this season, scoring just four goals in the process. Last Saturday they recorded an impressive win at home to Thamesmead Town, with Max Watters scoring a hatrick, reversing a trend of five consecutive defeats. They’ve signed Bishop’s Stortford Ryan Richeford and Burgess Hill Town’s Cheick Toure this week.

How was last season?

For the most part, it was a two-horse race for promotion to the Isthmian
League South last season with Ashford United and Crowborough Athletic almost
inseparable all season.  Ultimately,
United won the title in April with a 3-1 win in their final head-to-head game
although they still had to win their final game against Rochester United to
make sure, which they did in emphatic style by scoring seven.  Scoring goals was certainly the key to their
success as they averaged nearly three a game, whilst keeping it relatively
tight at the other end.  They dropped
just eight points at The Homelands as visiting teams struggled with the pitch
and the attacking style of play. The club have lost the services of captain
Stuart West, Ryan Palmer and full-back George Savage in the summer.  Coming in is Tom Michelsen from Chatham Town,
Tyrell Richardson-Brown from Burgess Hill Town and Matt Day from Millwall.

Southern Counties East Premier Division – 1st – P 38 W 30 D 2 L 6 GS 119 GA 39 GD +80 PTS 92

·      
FA Cup – 1st Qualifying Round – lost
away to Burgess Hill Town 2-1

·      
FA Vase – 
Second Round – lost away to Eastbourne Town 2-1

·      
Kent Senior Trophy – Runners-up – Lost to
Sheppey United in the final on penalties

When
did we last meet Ashford United?

We’ve never met Ashford United in a competitive
game before – we’ve played Ashford Town back in 2001 but that was the Middlesex
variety not the Kent one.

Kick off on Saturday at The Pan is 3pm.