LYE RALLYING CRY AFTER WORST RUN OF FORM

Danny Lye is facing up to his worst run in management ahead of Ashford’s biggest game of the season.

United face Southern Counties East League Premier Division title rivals Crowborough at Homelands on Saturday.

Both teams have suffered a drop in form in recent weeks, with United winning only one of their last six matches and player-boss Lye admits it’s something he is not used to.

He said: “We have had a blip and haven’t been playing well in the last few games.

“Crowborough have been struggling as well. I think it will be a cagey affair. We are the two best teams in the league but I don’t think it will be pretty.”

Lye points to the recent 1-0 defeat at Bearsted as the reason for the poor run.

He said: “It has affected one or two players who seem to be overthinking their games and feeling the pressure.

“They look as though they have got the weight of the world on their shoulders but we need to be strong mentally going into what is a big game.”

Lye is set to take a gamble on midfielder Dave Botterill on Saturday.

He is troubled by a toe injury but is earmarked to play and in the Kent Senior Trophy final against Cray Valley on Sunday week.

Lye said: “He gives us stability and is the lynchpin of the side – we need him for these two big games.”

United’s poor results on the pitch have masked the good news received last week as Ashford regained ownership of Homelands, after agreeing a settlement following a long legal battle with Minotaur.

All parties confirmed the conclusion of proceedings which began in November 2015.

A statement by United chairman Derek Pestridge, the club and Minotaur director Glyn Jones said: “The parties have agreed to resolve the disputes and their differences in a settlement agreement, of which terms are confidential.

“It is recognised that during the course of the last two years emotions have on occasion run high and a number of statements have been made by the parties to the settlement agreement.

“The parties wish to make it clear that no allegations of impropriety, fraud or malpractice are properly founded and that each party to the settlement agreement proceeds on the basis that each other party and their related parties has and continues to conduct its business properly and lawfully.”

United’s chief executive Denise Peach said: “It was a real joy to be back on Tuesday night among the fans and loyal supporters, knowing we are in charge of our own destiny again. The atmosphere was great, with the after-match party not finishing until around midnight.”