Abbott pulls of De Bolla coup

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott is confident that his side will end Ashford Town’s magnificent fourteen match unbeaten run tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Abbott knows victory over their Kentish rivals at Bourne Park will put his side to within one point of Ashford as three Kent clubs, the other being Cray Wanderers, bid to finish in the play-off’s at least.

Abbott watched Steve Lovell’s men defeat Godalming Town 2-1 at The Homelands in midweek and feels his side can claim three vital points tomorrow.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday morning, Abbott said, “You can’t knock them, they’ve won 8 games out of nine, and that is what it’s all about at this stage of the season.

“All I can say is I’m quite confident that we can beat them on Saturday, I really am quite confident about that.

“I saw them on Tuesday night, I’m just quite confident, with our squad. I can honestly say I wouldn’t change any of my players for those (Ashford players).”

Seven days ago, Abbott strengthened his squad with the announcement that he has signed two new experienced players.

Attacking midfielder, Mark De Bolla, known in Kent for his time at Gravesend & Northfleet, joins the club from fellow Ryman One South side Croydon Athletic.

The dead ball specialist has scored some important goals in his career, none more so than the 2008 play-off winner for AFC Wimbledon against Staines Town, that secured the Dons’ Blue Square South status.

Marc Cleary, meanwhile, needs no introduction to Bourne Park, having played for tenants Maidstone United last season. The central defender has also played for Billericay Town and his last club was Maldon Town.

Abbott insists the club have not found a pot of gold underneath the rainbow.

And club spokesperson Tania Spice announced this week that the purse strings at Bourne Park remain as tight as ever.

“I have been comparing some of our income figures this year to the last season,” she told the fans’ forum at www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

"I was surprised that gate income was only down approximately 8% but the takings from the food bar and cabin bar combined, based on figures up to the end of February last year, are down a massive 40%.

“Believe me this equates to a very large amount of money. I know times are hard for everyone, but do us a favour and buy a pint and some chips on Saturday.”

When asked how Sittingbourne can afford to pay De Bolla, for example, Abbott replied, “How can we afford to pay him? To be honest with you, it’s got nothing to do with money.

“Everyone thinks they must be getting money from somewhere, but we’re not. We’re not getting money from anywhere.

“A lot of it is who you know and that goes on about anything, whether it’s a job or anything. Richard Brady (my player-assistant manager) has known him for a few years and he’s come and all he wants is to play again.

“He’s come training, liked it and he just wants to play for us. It’s a great signing, he’s not here for the money. He’s getting a bit of expenses and that’s about it.”

With Ashford and Cray Wanderers both winning in midweek, Abbott sees tomorrow’s game as a way of making up some ground, having slipped to seventh place, through inactivity.

“It’s a big game at this time of the season, especially after Ashford and Cray winning the other night,” he said.

“It makes it even bigger for us to win. I don’t want to get beat, we want to try and keep the run going and dif we get three points, then it will be a bonus.”

Despite the wintry conditions of late, Abbott revealed the club takes full advantage of a gym, and the Astroturf pitch at Charlton Athletic’s training ground, to maintain their levels of fitness.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 14^th February 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB