Kentish Express Ashford & District
Lye demands focus on title
Danny Lye believes the Easter programme will be crucial in the race for the Southern Counties East League title.
Two games in three days sees the top-two Hollands & Blair and Greenwich Borough meeting on Easter Saturday before Ashford United host Blair 48 hours later.
However, the United player-boss is adopting a single-minded approach between now and then, saying: “We can’t afford to drop any points and I have said to the boys, don’t worry about what the others are doing. We want to win our games and the Easter weekend will be pivotal in seeing who is going to be top.
“If we aren’t ourselves, we want to be right there among it, before they play each other. I have set the boys a little challenge about where we are going to be by then. It’s going to be tight.”
Meanwhile, Lye admits United are lucky to be in their second Kent Senior Trophy final in three years, winning 4-2 on penalties in the semi-final against Corinthian on Saturday.
Paul Booth’s late equaliser
forced
the shoot-out and Lye said: “We didn’t deserve it. We were rubbish and it’s the worst we have played for a couple of months.”
Michael Phillips could return at Fisher on Saturday after picking up a hip injury at Croydon last Wednesday, while Lye has added to his squad again, by signing former Charlton midfielder Ben Davisson.
United are at home to AFC Croydon Athletic on Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm).
Meanwhile, United had the winding-up order against them withdrawn at the High Court on Monday.
Brought Kent Attractions, the outstanding debt had been settled ahead of the hearing.
Chief executive Denise Peach said: “The spurious winding up petition was dismissed.
“We have proven ourselves solvent and we have no outstanding creditors whatsoever.
“Our barrister has been appalled at the abuse of process used against AUFC.”
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‘I have set the boys a little challenge. . . It’s going to be tight’