Organisation paying off

UNITED CLOSING IN ON SIX HOURS WITHOUT CONCEDING

Ashford United’s superb defensive record has carried them to within three wins of the play-offs.

No side in Bostik South East have conceded fewer goals than the Nuts & Bolts, who have let in just 27 in 30 league games.

Ashford have kept clean sheets in 10 of their 17 games since Tommy Warrilow was appointed manager in November and their goalless draw at promotion rivals Horsham on Saturday means United have now gone almost six hours without conceding.

Warrilow said: “For one of my teams, I take a lot of pride in that.

“The way I play, it’s about us going forward but we are more organised without the ball now.

“I’m making sure my back four aren’t just ball-watching but they’re anticipating that whenever we lose the ball, are we organised, wherever we are on the pitch?

“We do play positively. I’m a defender and I know clean sheets win you eagues so act we’ve kept 10 is rewarding because the boys have worked hard and they’re taking everything on board.

“To be fair to them, they’ve adapted to everything we’ve said, systems, whether it’s 4-4-2 or 3-52, they’ve learnt their jobs.”

So what’s been the key to Ashford’s miserly defence?

“Just the organisation, all of them taking responsibility,” Warrilow explained. “My full- backs join in but they're more organised now rather than going gung-ho.

“We have protection in front of them and without the ball, everyone’s back in behind the ball as soon as possible and that makes it harder for teams to break us down.

“The fact we’ve come away with another clean sheet bodes well for the play-offs but I’ve got to put more pressure on my attacking force. 'We've got to be more clinical and not take things for granted because other teams will get a chance. If they take it and you’ve had loads and not taken them, that’s when it’s a hard pill to swallow.”

Ashford are at home to secondbottom Guernsey on Saturday with the game kicking off at 1pm.

On paper, it’s the easiest fixture they have left with the last five games of the season all against top-seven sides.

Warrilow said: “I can’t work them out because they’ve had some really good results.

“I’ve never had an easy game against Guernsey and I’ll treat them as if we’re playing (leaders) Cray.

“It’s a massive three points if we can get them because we only need eight to guarantee a playoff spot.

“Even if we are in the play-offs, I want to finish second and have home advantage.”

Laurent Mendy, Clark Woodcock and Josh Wisson should all be available after missing the Horsham game.