I think it's all in our hands now, says Ashford United's hat-trick hero Rory Hill

ASHFORD UNITED hat-trick hero Rory Hill says winning the league title is now in their hands.

Danny Lye’s side moved three points clear of the top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table after beating Crowborough Athletic 3-1 at Homelands Stadium yesterday.

Crowborough Athletic took a 20^th minute lead through Ross Treleaven’s fine strike into the bottom right-hand corner, before Hill scored his third career hat-trick to seal a massive win for Ashford United.

“It’s massive, it just puts us on the front foot, I think,” said Hill, 27.

“We’ve had a little bit of a bad couple of weeks but we put that past us.

“There’s an even bigger game now, Whitstable away, it’s always tough at their ground as well, especially with their pitch but hopefully we’ll grind that out and we’re on the front foot as I say.”

Ashford United are three points clear of Crowborough Athletic on 77 points and have five league games left to play, although Crowborough have a game in hand.

“Massive, it’s massive, we’ve been saying that for the last month,” said winger Hill.

“I think it’s all in our hands now, definitely. We needed that win, Crowborough are a good team, they’ve got good players, so it’s just a great win.”

The pressure is now on Ashford and Scott Porter will not let his Whitstable Town side beat them without a fight on Tuesday night.

“We played them a couple of months back in a cup game as well and it was horrible.  If was muddy and we just grounded out the win,” recalled Hill.

“It’s going to be similar, it’s on a Tuesday night. I know they’ve signed a few players. They won’t be an easy opposition.

“If we play like anything like we did yesterday and give 100% I think we’ve got half a chance.”

Ashford United are on course of completing a League and Cup double and Hill is relishing facing his old club in the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Final at Maidstone United next Sunday, 9 April 2017 (15:00).

“Cray Valley haven’t been that bad this season.  I was there last season, we’ve got a 100% record against them this season and it’s always good to have a cup final, especially when you’re going for the league as well so if we can get a trophy that will be good as well,” said Hill.

“I think it will be a good game at Maidstone’s ground, so I’m looking forward to that one.

“It will be good to get the winning goal but as long as we win.  I think I’ve scored against them this season and they didn’t like that.  It’s always good to play against your old team.  I only know a few faces there so hopefully we can get that win there and win the Trophy.”

Hill revealed that team spirit within the camp at Homelands is excellent going into the make-or-break final month of the season.

He said: “We’ve got a good bunch of boys, everyone sticks together. That’s probably the best thing as well. All the boys get on. We’ve got a good atmosphere in the changing room.  We’ve always wanted to finish top, obviously, and to have the cup final, it will be a great season.”

Visit Ashford United’s website: www.ashfordunitedfc.com