Ashford’s pre-season routine is now getting into its stride and continues on Tuesday with a match away to Ryman Division One South side Fleet Town.  Managed by Andy Sinton, Fleet will provide the first real test of a new look Ashford side likely to include at least four newcomers to the squad, all of whom took the eye at Staines Lammas on Saturday.  They will all be introduced officially once they have put pen to paper.

Fleet were kind enough to invite Ashford down last season at this time of the year and, whilst results don’t really matter, the Tangerines will be hoping to do rather better than twelve months ago when a rampant Fleet side knocked in five goals and looked clear promotion material on the evidence of that performance.  In the end they just failed, losing in the play-offs, but will surely be there or thereabouts again this time round.  The match kicks off at 7.45 p.m.

Fleet warmed upon Saturday with a 2-0 victory over CCL side Ash United.  An interesting report can be read on the Ash web site at http://www.ashunited.co.uk/

Just as tough a test awaits next Saturday, when Ashford travel down to the magnificent Hand Stadium to renew acquaintance with Clevedon Town, one of our main rivals when we were both at Division One level in the Southern League.  Indeed our very first match in the Southern League was away to Clevedon.  These days, of course, Clevedon are members of the Premier Division of that league although they flirted with relegation last time round eventually finishing one place above the drop positions.