We have received a high number of applications for the manager’s post.  A short list is being drawn up and it is intended that interviews will take place over the early part of next week, with the intention of naming the new manager on either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

This will allow the incumbent to attend training on Thursday evening and take full control of the team for the match at Harrow Borough on Saturday 7 November.

In the meantime Keith Bristow remains in charge for the matches at Hastings and Bognor on Saturday and Tuesday.  There is a coach for tomorrow’s game at Hastings leaving Short Lane at 11.00 a.m. and supporters are welcome (£10 per head, £5 OAP’s, children free).

In the meantime the Under 18’s suffered their first defeat on the field of play (i.e. excluding penalty shoot outs) this season last night, losing 0-3 at Hayes & Yeading in the Middlesex Senior Youth Cup.  Ben Murray took the opportunity to field a number of players who had not featured greatly in previous matches but they all did well enough and no blame can be laid at their door.  The scoreline does not actually reflect the match as Hayes scored their first goal as late as the 82^nd minute in what had been an even and well contested affair.  Ashford can really only blame themselves as they missed a number of chances, including a penalty in the first half, following a foul on Mark Bitmead.

Next week the lads are at home to Walton & Hersham on Wednesday evening in the League.