Lye in upbeat mood

V.J. Technology Captain vows to stay on at struggling Ashford confidence high ahead of fa vase tie

to build on the success at Dunston in the last round, believing that at 2-0 down they were out of the competition.

He said: “We thought we wouldn’t come back from that, having literally thrown it away but won’t lose that feeling of winning and can have it again if we beat Salisbury.”

Lye revealed he had banned talk of the Vase until after Tuesday night’s win against Rochester but knows Claridge, who watched the 6-1 win against Beckenham on Saturday, went away with plenty to think about.

New signing Jon Pilbeam has Wembley pedigree, having been a member of the Tunbridge Wells team who lost to Spennymoor in the 2013 Vase final.

The 25-year-old fitness trainer had joined United on dual registration terms from Folkestone after 10 weeks out with injury.

Pilbeam said: “It’s a great memory that will stay with me for ever.

“It lifted the whole town and the United boys are excited. There is a real buzz about them and it brings it all back to me.” Lye added: “I have always liked Jon as a player and have kept on at Neil Cugley, asking him what was happening with him at Folkestone.

“He has agreed to let him come to get games. We have also brought in Chris Saunders to give us bite in midfield.”

Two supporters’ coaches are fully booked for Saturday’s tie.

‘We won’t lose that feeling of winning’

Picture: Rebecca Holliday FM4217526 Ashford United manager Danny Lye believes his side have as much pedigree as Saturday’s opponents Salisbury, who are managed by Steve Claridge