Kentish Express Ashford & District
Sesay comes calling
Ashford United had a result before the transfer deadline when forward Andrew Sesay offered his services.
Sesay, who’s signed from Merstham, is one of two new recruits at Homelands for the Isthmian South East run-in.
He’s been joined by defender Mo Kamara, who returns to the club from Whitstable, with midfielder Jack Hanson going the other way.
The pair featured as substitutes in the Nuts & Bolts’ 2-2 draw with Chichester at the weekend.
“We’ve brought a couple in to get the numbers up,” said Ashford boss Tommy Warrilow.
“We knew Sesay from Hastings and Hythe, things weren’t working for him at Merstham and he contacted us.
“He literally phoned me and wanted to come and get involved, so we’ve got him on board.
“He offers great pace, we know what he can bring and hopefully he bleeds his way into the side.
“Mo’s obviously one we know all about from when he was here before.
“He played in the play-off final, he went off to Margate and ended up at Whitehawk before Whitstable.
“I had a chat with Jukesy (new Town boss Andy Drury) and we were able to get that done, with Jack Hanson going there.
“Jack’s a good player but he got smashed on his debut so we haven’t seen a lot of him and he’s just started a new job and has to miss a couple of games.
“I made the point that I want to see him back in pre-season because I know what a good player he is.”
Goals from Gary Lockyer and Tommie Fagg gave Ashford a half-time cushion against Chichester but the visitors scored two late goals, including an injury-time equaliser.
Second-placed United, who are at VCD this Saturday, still aren’t guaranteed a play-off place.
The draw did, though, edge them six points clear of sixth-placed Herne Bay with five games left.
“We’ve lost one and drawn our last two but we’re still second in the table and second in the form guide, so it seems everyone is stuttering,” said Warrilow.
“Saturday was one of those games where we got ourselves 2-0 up and then lost our way in the second half.
“We had two clear chances to get the third goal and kill the game, which we didn’t take, and they end up equalising in the 93rd minute from a corner.
“That’s what made me angry, conceding the way we did, we’re a big side and that shouldn’t happen.
“We were under the cosh in the second half, I rate Chichester very highly and they deserved a point, it was just frustrating to let in a goal like that.
“We didn’t lose, although it felt like a defeat, and we’ve got five games left to make sure we finish second.
“It’s not easy to win a league, and fair play to Hastings, they only need a point now.
“Every manager at the start of the season should set out to win the league, but deep down you need a bit of realism.
“Yes, I did think we had a realistic chance of winning it but the last few results and the way Hastings have carried on, that isn’t going to happen.
“So you then look who’s second, and it’s us, which would still be a very good season.”
Ashford lost 5-4 on penalties to Hythe after a 1-1 draw in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, Josh Wisson’s late equaliser taking the tie to spot-kicks.
Warrilow said: “It would be lovely to have a cup final and a day out for the fans but the most important thing is promotion.”
James Jeffrey scored a late goal for Kennington in a 2-1 defeat at Welling Town in Southern Counties East. Ton host Erith Town this Saturday.