Kentish Express Ashford & District
Let’s keep this attitude up
WIN PUTS UNITED IN PLAY-OFF PLACES
Tommy Warrilow is already looking ahead to April after leading Ashford into the play-off places.
Saturday’s thumping win at VCD lifted the Nuts & Bolts to fifth in Bostik South East with just under half the season remaining.
Some managers will tell you they don’t look at the league table but Warrilow isn’t one of them.
Ashford finish the regular season with games against Hythe, Cray, VCD, Hastings and Haywards Heath – arguably the toughest run-in any side in the division will face.
Warrilow said: “For us to creep into the play-offs, it’s nice but we’re not going to get carried away with the wins or the losses.
“The target is to stay in there. It’s easier said than done because one loss and you can shoot straight back out of it but it’s good to be in contention.
“We’ve got a really difficult April. If we’re in there, it will mean it’s in our own hands if it stays as it is because we’re playing the teams around the play-offs.”
Five of Ashford’s next six games are against teams in the bottom half, starting with the visit of Whitstable on Saturday.
Warrilow said: “It will be another tough game because they’re a physical side who are very hard to beat.
“Scott Porter works hard down there. He’s a good lad and they’re never going to roll over and give you an easy game.
“It’s about breaking teams down. We did it against Faversham but we had to bide our time a little bit and it was similar on Saturday.
“It was very close until we got the elusive goal and once you do that, it forces the other team to make changes and look for a goal – they can’t just sit back.
“In both games, we’ve ended up with 4-0 wins but there’s still lots to do. We put three approaches in last week for players because we are trying to strengthen the squad.
“At the same time, we’ve had some seven-day approaches for one of our players so it’s a little bit chaotic but we’ve got to roll with it and see if they go.
“If they go, they go, and we’ve got to bring another player in to replace them.
“We’re beginning to find our feet and it’s important we keep this attitude up and get the aura around the club because to be in the play-offs helps the atmosphere as well.”
Theo Fairweather-Johnson took a blow to the nose and had to come off at VCD but he’ll be available for selection against Whitstable.
VCD Athletic match report, page 45.
‘We’re not going to get carried away with the wins or the losses’