Kentish Express Ashford & District
Cheer us to play-off glory
WARRILOW CALLS ON FANS TO BOOST HOME ADVANTAGE
Manager Tommy Warrilow has called on the people of Ashford to come out and back them in the Isthmian South East play-offs.
The Nuts & Bolts will have home advantage, however far they go, as a result of securing second place.
And it’s important they make that count going into Tuesday’s semi-finals (7.45pm), with one of Herne Bay, Haywards Heath and Cray Valley standing in their way.
Ashford, who finish the regular season at home to Whitehawk this Saturday, will face whoever finishes fifth.
The final takes place on Saturday week.
“I’m hoping getting to the playoffs helps raise awareness of the club in the town and gets the gates up,” said Warrilow.
“We do get big crowds for the big games but we should be getting more fans.
“I know Homelands is a little bit out of the way but we’re not a million miles out of Ashford if people want to come along.
“Most people who support a Premier League club, like Chelsea, they don’t live there, they have to travel.
“It doesn’t have to be hard to get to Ashford.
“We’re pleased we’ve got second place, and it’s a massive week coming up for the club. I’d love to get promoted.
“These play-off games are ruthless but hopefully we can get our home town behind us.
“All season you hear about must-win games, but these really are must-win, or you’re out.”
Ashford clinched second spot behind champions Hastings after goals from Gary Lockyer (2), Tommie Fagg and Mamadoi Diallo in a 4-2 win over Ramsgate on Saturday.
Luke Burdon put them in front at Faversham on Easter Monday but, with Adem Ramadan picking up a second yellow card, the Lilywhites completed a deserved 3-1 comeback victory.
Injuries to Mo Kamara (thigh) and Tashi-Jay Kwayie (shoulder) added to the frustration for Warrilow, with the pair doubtful for the visit of Whitehawk.
Warrilow has experienced the highs and lows of play-off football over the years.
His Tonbridge side were beaten by Carshalton in the Isthmian Premier semi-finals in 2009 but won promotion two years later after a dramatic 4-3 win over Lowestoft in the final.
He also led Ashford to the playoffs in his first season in charge, three years ago, losing the final to Horsham.
“It’s the worst feeling in the world if you lose a play-off,” said Warrilow.
“If you’re going to lose, make sure you give it your best shot.
“If everyone gives their best, I know we’ll be fine.
“It’s totally different to a league game, where a draw might be a good result. There’s not another chance next week you’ve got to go out to win the game.
“Those two games at Tonbridge when we went up were the best games I’ve been involved in by miles, Harrow in the semi-finals and Lowestoft in the final. There were unbelievable ups and downs.
“Thirty-eight weeks of the season come down to one game.
“I haven’t got to say too much to the boys, they know what’s on it and they know they’ve got to be on it, otherwise our season is done.
“Finishing second is good but if we don’t get promoted, what does it mean? No one remembers who finished second if there’s nothing at the end of it.”
Back-to-back wins over Easter saw Kennington clinch fifth place in their first season in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.
Gary Clarke and Tom Scorer earned a 2-1 win at Canterbury on Saturday, with Rajan Sahni, Scorer and James HaylockAshdown on target in Monday’s 3-2 victory over Lordswood.
Ton finish the season at Glebe this Saturday.