Ashford face their toughest task of the season tomorrow, when they travel round the M25 to take on league leaders Dartford, who look assured of promotion at the end of the season and who have lost on just three occasions this season.  Indeed, despite one or two hiccups at home recently, Dartford currently have a seven point lead over second placed Kingstonian plus three matches in hand.

They are, in effect, this year’s Dover, and with an average attendance so far this season of 1142, something like ten times that of Ashford, and a purpose built ground supplied by the Local Authority, they are clearly destined for bigger things.

Ashford though will not be sacrificial lambs as they often reserve their better performances for matches against the best teams and last season they certainly played their part in the game at Dartford, despite eventually losing by four goals to two.  Earlier this season, Ashford also lost, this time by four goals to one, following a powerful second half display by the visitors.  Again, Ashford played quite well for long periods in the game but were handicapped by the loss of central defender Billy Jeffreys with a broken leg after just seven minutes, and his partner at the heart of the back four, Guy Hollis.  Billy is now back in light training and may just manage an appearance before the end of the season, whilst Guy is also missing tomorrow, following the severe bruising suffered in training a fortnight ago but otherwise the squad will be at full strength, including the very impressive Femi Ilesanmi, signed from Dagenham & Redbridge prior to last Saturday’s match.

Admission tomorrow is £10 for adults, with concessions at £5 for OAP’s and £1 for children.

Back at Short Lane, the Suburban team will be taking on Leatherhead in the League.

Congratulations go to Under 18 player Bairoh Conteh, who has been selected in the Middlesex County Under-18 squad to play the Royal Navy in the SE Counties Championship on 28 February at Portsmouth.  He joins Dane Buss and Tom Stanley who have been regular members of the squad all season.

Other player news is that Ashford have signed 25 year old keeper Sam Jones, who has experience with Shrewbury Town and who previously played for Yate Town in the Southern League. There may be news of a further signing later today.