Ashford supporters will not remember the last three clashes with tomorrow’s visitors, Tonbridge Angels, with too much affection.  Both last season and earlier this, Tonbridge secured all three points on their own ground thanks to very late goals whilst last season at Short Lane, the Angels again took all three points, inflicting Ashford’s heaviest ever home defeat in senior football by seven goals to one.

Although they were knocked out of the Trophy last week by Welling United, the visitors arrive in good form with their recent league record showing three wins and a draw, the draw being at Canvey in midweek.  They currently sit in fifth place in the table, just three points in front of Ashford but with a match in hand. 

Ashford have today signed Charlie McCarthy a 6 feet plus, 20 year old central defender.  He is currently at Brunel University and is likely to go straight into tomorrow’s squad.

The Suburban side travel to Bedfont Green tomorrow and will be hoping to maintain their recent good form.

Meanwhile, Ashford’s Under-18’s lost for the first time on Wednesday in the Ryman Youth League, when Staines Town went away with a narrow 2-1 victory.  In difficult windy conditions Ashford took the lead on just four minutes and it was a candidate for “goal of the season” as Mark Bitmead, back from injury smashed home an unstoppable volley.

Unfortunately, Ashford were only able to hold the lead for five minutes conceding an equaliser to a set piece and then another, also from a set piece which did not please manager Ben Murray.

In the second half Ashford hit the woodwork twice and a draw would probably have been the fairest result but it was not to be on the night.