Cup tie will act as warm-up game

Football

Manager Danny Lye has little time for Ashford’s League Cup clash against Canterbury.

The sides meet in the Macron Challenge Cup quarter-final tie at Homelands on Tuesday (7.45pm) in what will be United’s first game since Boxing Day.

The break has given the likes of George Savage (back) and Ben Davisson (ankle) time to get over injuries and they could be involved.

But the tie is of little significance to Lye, who is more concerned with the next Southern Counties East League Premier Division game at Deal on Saturday week (January 14).

Lye said: “You want to win every game but I don’t really care if we win or lose (the cup tie).

“I see it as the perfect game to blow the cobwebs away and get everyone ready for the next league game.

“We’ve not had any games, so I gave everyone the week off training. It was a chance to get rid of a few niggly injuries and now we’re ready to go.”

Ashford, meanwhile, are hoping to sign a midfielder from a Ryman League, Division 1 North club. They can talk to the player tomorrow (Friday) but he’s the only target for now.

Lye said: “He’s someone who will add a bit of bite in midfield. He’s got the legs and aggression we’re missing at the moment.

“Other than that, I don’t think we need to strengthen. We have a strong squad.” Lye has seen Crowborough take top spot during Ashford’s spell without a game, with Sheppey pushing the Nuts and Bolts down to third.

Boro are on a long unbeaten run but Lye feels there’s all to play for.

He said: “We had a chance to build a gap and we let ourselves down a little bit, so now it’s down to us to chase.

“We’re two points behind Crowborough, level on games and the goal difference is similar. They’ve got to slip up at some point.

“They’re 28 games unbeaten but all good things must come to an end and when they lose one, they might lose a couple.

“They’ve got a lot of money this year and players with good experience who’ve played at higher levels.

“Squad for squad, they’re probably the same sort of quality as us.”

‘I see it as the perfect game to blow the cobwebs away’

Pictures: Paul Amos Ashford’s George Savage and Ben Davisson (inset) have had time to get over injuries and could be involved in United’s midweek cup tie against Canterbury City