Ashford beat the deadline to sign three (EXCLUSIVE)

Friday 31st March 2006

Ashford Town have been very busy today bringing in three new players just hours before the transfer deadline, writes Stephen McCartney.

Manager Tim Thorogood has brought in goalkeeper Simon Overland, 20, from Nationwide Conference club Dagenham & Redbridge, after regular number one Dave Wietecha suffered a back injury during their 7-0 defeat at the hands of Horsham last weekend.

Strikers Shaun Loft, whose signed from their Ryman League Division One rivals Hastings United, and former Maidstone United hit-man Richard Sinden, whose scored 24 goals in the Kentish Observer League this season for Hythe Town, have signed for the Homelands club as they bid to keep out of the drop zone.

The trio are drafted into the squad for tomorrow’s clash at basement boys Corinthian Casuals – a game the Kent club must win to claw themselves away from second from bottom side Newport IOW, who host Whyteleafe tomorrow.

Thorogood, who also drafted in Stuart Playford, Dan Tanner and Danny Simmonds before they were stung by the Hornets, explained why he’s added to his squad today.

“It’s not because of the result last week, which was a freak result due to the goalkeeping injury, but they’re recognised players.

“The goalkeeper’s still injured so I needed to bring in another one.” Not knowing the extend of Wietecha’s injury, he added: “We’ve done this because we can’t take the gamble with Dave not being fit with the deadline being today.”

Speaking about Overland, Thorogood said: “Can’t tell you much but he’s six foot six and Dagenham & Redbridge very kindly helped us out with him.

“From what I’ve been told by their manager he’s been on the bench and played for the first team.”

Thorogood, as club chairman and joint-manager, knows the importance of tomorrow’s tussle and doesn’t want to become April Fools against a side that have won just five league games all season.

”We cannot afford to lose,” he insisted. “We can afford to lose but it depends on other sides.

"If we beat them tomorrow that will put them in a position they won’t recover from.”

Ashford, though, will be hoping they’ll be sitting on 30 points by the time seventh placed Croydon Athletic visit The Homelands next Tuesday.

“Tough game but like I say every game is a tough game,” said Thorogood. “I’ll worry about Saturday first and worry about Croydon on Tuesday.

“It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. I’m confident we can get the results we need with the players we’ve brought in – I’m looking forward to the games.”

But defenders Ian Ross (hamstring) and Tom Adlington (foot) are doubtful for tomorrow’s “six-pointer”.

Thorogood added: “It’s down to us – I think we’re good enough – we go into these games with complete optimism.”

ASHFORD TOWN’S RUN-IN

Saturday 1 April: a Corinthian Casuals
Tuesday 4 April: H Croydon Athletic
Saturday 8 April: H Bashley
Saturday 15 April: a Walton Casuals
Monday 17 April: H Hastings United
Saturday 22 April: a Ramsgate
Saturday 29 April: H Molesey

Corinthian Casuals v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One
Saturday 1^st April 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at King Georges Field, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey KT9 7NA