Kentish Express Ashford & District
Practice makes perfect
Shaun Welford says a midweek training session paid dividends against Dunston at Homelands on Saturday. The Ashford United assistant manager admitted: “I have been struggling with my head this season. “I am normally good for 15 or 20 (headed goals) a season but only had one before today. “So last Tuesday night in training, we did crossing and finishing and it worked. “What a peach of a cross (from Taser Hassan). I didn’t have to move and got it in the corner. “We could have nicked another two before half-time and we had another couple at the death. If one of those had gone in it would have been game over.” Welford’s goal was his 19th of the season, adding: “It was nice to get one with my head and I’ll take that confidence into the replay. “It’s a trip up North, my homeland and it means my family will get the chance to see me play for the first time in a long while, so they will be happy.” Reflecting on the replay, he added: “We would have rather got it done on the day but we’ll go up there and give it a good shot. “It’s going to be a battle you can guarantee that and we have got to be ready for that. “We are going up there, into the lion’s den and they will be well up for it. If we match them for desire, we’ll do all right “We’ll do it the right way, travelling up on Friday, ready to go again. “The boys were buzzing in the dressing room after the game and hopefully we’ll come back with the result.” United’s replay means the scheduled home game against Erith & Belvedere will have to be re-arranged. Ashford have not played a Southern Counties East League game since the 2-0 win over Canterbury on Boxing Day.