Kentish Express Ashford & District
Town off to flying start
Ashford Town may be playing for second place but new captain Ben Allon is confident they can be successful his season.
The big names of Minster (Sheppey) are expected to romp to the Kent League Division 2 title so it’ll be quite a battle for the remaining promotion spot.
A month into the season, Ashford are unbeaten with three wins to their name and Allon says there’s a real buzz around Stacians Park.
They lead the table, having played a game more than Minster, who have put together a formidable line-up this season, which includes former Zimbabwe international Sean Ervine and ex-Kent player Fabian Cowdrey.
Allon said: “We’ve got the squad to do something but that wasn’t our ultimate goal. We plan to execute our skills until halfway and then assess our position.
“Minster’s money men have probably taken the top spot away from anyone so it looks like it’s going to be a fight for second place.
“It seems pointless ( what Minster are doing) because there’s no financial gain at the end of the year but if that’s what the guy wants to do and he’s chucking money at people, that’s down to him.
“We’re only four games in but I think we’ll be there or thereabouts in the top four, fighting it out.
“We’ve got a pretty settled squad and it’s been a good start to the year. There’s a good atmosphere at the club.”
Ashford dismissed Old Wilsonians for 111 on Saturday before chasing the target down with almost half of their allocated overs to spare.
Allon said: “Last year at Ashford we struggled with people being away every week; we had about 20 people who played first-team cricket but now everyone knows their job, where they’re going to be batting or bowling and what parts of the game they could influence.”
Allon spent 12 years at Sibton Park and one at Folkestone before joining Ashford last season.
He’s taken over the captaincy from Liam Tegg this summer and has dad Andy opening the batting.
Allon said: “Sibton Park are no longer playing Kent League cricket and that was still a draw to me.
“I know a few of the lads, the likes of Liam and Craig (Buckham) at Ashford from playing Kent representative stuff with them before and it’s a good family club. They’ve got good people and they’re moving in the right direction.
“I was happy with Liam doing (the captaincy) last year but he’s just got a newborn baby so he wanted to focus on that.
“That’s paying dividends because he got 107 last week.
“I’m happy to take over and we’ve got a lot of experience in our side anyway.”
Ashford are at home to OD CUACO on Saturday (start noon).
■ Kent League round-up, pages 40-41