No one likes losing but I'm sure the good times for Ashford are not too far away, says assistant manager Gary Alexander

ASHFORD UNITED assistant manager Gary Alexander says they are finding it tough to bring in new players due to their league position.

The club are in the bottom three in the Bostik South table and suffered a 9-1 humiliation from Cray Wanderers at Hayes Lane in Alexander’s first game at his new club as Jason Whitworth’s assistant manager.

Ashford United have bagged 25 points from 35 games this season but have been spared relegation due to Shoreham being total rubbish.  They have picked up eight points from their 32 games, although they were deducted six points earlier on in their only season in the Isthmian League.

Tony Russell brings his side to Homelands Stadium in second-place in the table on 69 points from 35 games, a couple points adrift of leaders Lewes, whom have two games in hand.

Cray Wanderers are suffering a blip in form with one win in five since thrashing Ashford on 17 January.

“We’ve got a real tough game against arguably the best footballing side in the league,” said Alexander.

“Since dishing out a hammering to us a month or so ago their results have been indifferent but I suppose that's the time of year.

“We’re getting to the business end for those challenging and those chasing play-offs.  Credit has to go to Tony for sticking to his style of play no matter what.  It's great to see so I'm expecting a real tough game as it would be for anyone.

“But we have to respond and try and be more competitive unlike the first game, try and play in a way we can give them a more challenging game and make it hard as we are looking to turn out fortunes around with a win.”

Ashford United have extended their winless run to seven games and came away from Dartford with a 3-1 defeat to Thamesmead Town last Saturday.

Alexander said: “No one likes losing but I'm sure the good times for Ashford are not too far away.

“We have had some great spells of possession and look strong but give ourselves mountains to climb with costly errors whether that be marking or in possession.  We gift team’s goals and that has to stop and hopefully when we can cut these out we give ourselves a better opportunity of winning a football match.

“As time goes on it's difficult to get the quality of players we are looking at as most will be involved in a title or play-off push in different league's but certainly the eye is out there and the odd seven-dayer will go out to see people's thoughts about joining and going forward with Ashford for what I'm sure is a bright future and if we can add one or two before transfer deadline day to make us more competitive, then great!

“We look forward to the game and catching up with plenty of good people at Cray Wanderers.”

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

Ashford United  v  Cray Wanderers
Bostik South Division
Saturday 24 February 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ