Ashby adds to Margate's new-look squad

MARGATE manager Barry Ashby has tonight unveiled two new signings as he prepares the club for its Ryman Premier League opener at Carshalton Athletic in just under two weeks time.

Striker Michael Power has signed for the Blues after impressing Ashby during pre-season.

He has previously played for Thamesmead Town, Cray Wanderers (twice), Bromley and Tonbridge Angels, and was part of Ian Jenkins’ side that just missed out on promotion to the Ryman Premier League with defeat in last season’s play-off final at Tooting & Mitcham United.

Margate’s second signing today is Danny Stubbs, an attacking midfielder, who is a product of Ebbsfleet United’s PASE scheme.

Stubbs had a spell on loan at Ryman League Division One South side Whitstable Town, but has now put pen to paper and has signed for the Hartsdown Park club.

Ashby, who is gearing up for his first season in charge, insists “there are more signings to come”.

And the former Gillingham ace is pleased with the effort the new-look side have shown during pre-season.

“I can’t fault the effort and enthusiasm of the lads,” he told www.margate-fc.com.  “It’s just sometimes we have been lacking a little bit of quality.

“So far we’ve won three, drawn two and lost one, but to be honest, we should have won all of them.

“Some of our play has been good, particularly going forward and some (play) not so good, perhaps more so at the back.

“But when it’s not been right, I’ve told them (the players) in no uncertain terms.

Ashby has a pretty good idea of who will be starting against much-fancied side Carshalton Athletic on the opening day of the season.

Looking ahead to the Colston Avenue clash on 16^th August, against a side that needed a 2-0 win over Tonbridge Angels to maintain their current status on the final day of last season, Ashby said: “At the moment I reckon I have seven of the 11 positions pencilled in for the opening game.

“Obviously, I’m not going into details now, but some are done and dusted and others are still open.

Margate’s final friendly is against Powers’ former club, Cray Wanderers, next Sunday, 10^th August (2pm).

“We’ll work hard in training,” said Ashby. “We’re still doing a lot of fitness work but also more and more ball work and tactical stuff.

“And of course there are a number of signings that we still have to make.

“But we’ll be ready and raring to go for the Carshalton game!”

Quotes courtesy of www.margate-fc.com