Kentish Express Ashford & District
There’s no pressure on us
Manager Tommy Warrilow has told Ashford players to enjoy the promotion run-in.
Pressure can play a part at this stage of the season but there’s nothing to worry about in Warrilow’s eyes.
The Isthmian South East title may be a step too far - the Nuts & Bolts are 12 points behind leaders Hastings with six games to go - but second place and guaranteed home advantage in the play-offs is still a big prize to play for.
Warrilow knows he’ll get the best out of his players if they keep their heads and stay relaxed.
“The most important thing at the start of the season is making sure you’ve got something to play for at the end of it,” said Warrilow, whose side host Chichester this Saturday.
“These are exciting times, not pressure, I’d rather be in this position than have nothing to play for.
“We need to try and enjoy it. We’re second in the league, we’ve lost one in eight, we’re not doing bad.
“You know deep down some players might feel pressure but pressure to me is being a double-glazing salesman on commission-only with a wife and two kids to support.
“You’re playing football, enjoy yourselves, express yourselves.
“If you’re not good enough but you’ve given everything, that’s all you can do, but don’t let it be because you’ve panicked and put yourselves under pressure.
“We’ve been loyal to the players this season.
“Yes, we’ve brought a few in towards the end, just to strengthen us, like everyone does, but that’s not panicking or overreacting because I know the players we’ve got are good enough to get us out of this league.
“Until someone says we can’t catch Hastings we’ll keep trying but fair play to them, they’re 12 points ahead with six to play, so they only need a couple of wins and a draw.
“Is that pressure for them? I don’t know. That’s not my concern. I just want to get us in the strongest position we possibly can.
“I’d love everything to be clear in the play-offs by the Easter weekend but I can see it going to the wire.”
New signing Adem Ramadan marked his first start with the equaliser as Ashford drew 1-1 at Sittingbourne on Saturday.
It was a decent point for the Nuts & Bolts against an in-form Brickies side, even if it hit their title chances.
Warrilow said: “Some people say we dropped two points on Saturday.
“Yes, we did in terms of when I look at the game, we had the better chances, but the most important thing if you’re not going to win is not to lose.
“Sittingbourne have done well this season, they put a shift in and they’ve upset a few teams - I’m glad to have them out of the way.
“We had the blip against Phoenix last week (2-0 home defeat) and Sittingbourne is a hard place to bounce back.
“The conditions were horrendous. It’s the same for both teams but the pitch was bobbly as anything and there was a massive wind.
“Anyone expecting a cultured game in those conditions was in for a reality check. We knew it wouldn’t be a stroll in the park and we’ve literally given them the ball for their goal.
“If we hadn’t made that mistake we might have come away with a 1-0 win but we take the point and move on.
“We’re still in a good position, we’re sitting second, not fifth, sixth or seventh.”
Tom Scorer struck on the hour as Kennington beat Deal 1-0 at home in Southern Counties East Premier Division on Tuesday night. Ton visit Welling Town this Saturday.