Ashford's drought enjoys sudden downpour of rain - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

John Cumberbatch has issued a rallying cry to the Homelands faithful to get behind his Ashford Town side during their FA Cup first qualifying round showdown against Kentish rivals Tonbridge Angels on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Despite losing their first three Ryman League Division One South games, the Nuts & Bolts have won their last four outings.

After surrendering to a 4-0 home shocker against Molesey in their third game of the campaign, striker Richard Sinden, who has now scored four goals along with strike partner George Fenwick, scored the only goal of the game on August Bank Holiday Monday at Hastings United to spark the revival.

Minnows Bedfont Green were despatched 7-0 in the FA Cup preliminary round before Burgess Hill Town were defeated 3-1 in the league and big spending Ryman Premier League leaders Bromley were knocked out of the second round of the Westview Cup in midweek.

“We’re not surprised it’s happened at all,” joint-manager Cumberbatch said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on Thursday night.

“I think what’s happened is we’re in a little pocket of consistency, which we’re delighted about and even more delighted that consistency over the last four games has given us maximum reward, but four games is only a pocket of consistency.”

Ashford Town’s long suffering fans are finally enjoying the “feel good factor” that is currently being enjoyed by fans of their opponents on Saturday.

Tonbridge Angels are riding on a crest of a wave since their two play-off victories that earned them promotion into the Ryman Premier League in May.

The club set their sights on staying in the division this season, but they hit top after their convincing 6-1 win over Worthing in their second game of the campaign and are currently in fourth place.

Cumberbatch said: “One of the reasons why all around the club we’re all delighted and jumping up and down is things have been so bad before.

“And I think at the moment we’re doing quite well but we want to get to a stage where we can say we’re excellent. That is going to take a bit more work and effort.”

Cumberbatch suggested their new training facilities in Rochester has helped, but having better players is obviously the most important thing.

“We can train regularly rather than the way we’ve been training before and that’s only part of what’s helped,” Cumberbatch said.

“Certainly one of the major things is the character of the team and I always felt this group of players were far better than our first three results showed.

“I equate it to being in a land where there’s drought and suddenly you get a downpour of rain.”

A crowd of at least 400 is expected to flock through the Homelands turnstiles on Saturday, and Cumberbatch hopes his side can pull off a cup shock.

“After the way we played against Bromley, obviously we’d be hopeful a shock can happen,” he said. “But I do feel that Tonbridge are going to be far better than Bromley were. I think advancing in all cup competitions is important to us.”

Tonbridge Angels, will, however, be without lightening quick, seven-goal striker Jon Main on Saturday, as the former Cray Wanderers striker is on the sidelines serving a one-match ban.

But Cumberbatch warned the flying Angels will pose a threat all over the park.

“Any of the eleven on the pitch,” he said. “Literally we can’t pick out selected players. We have to be on our game all around the park in all departments.

“I feel they are very tenacious, very strong, and very organised and I have respect for them.”

Thirteen goals have been scored by seven different Ashford Town players so far this season.

“Since I’ve been here goalscoring has been the crux of the matter,” Cumberbatch said.

“There have been the odd games where we haven’t created chances in the past but we’ve never been a side with a strike force that take the chances.

“But I feel now that’s beginning to change. But it mustn’t be forgotten that we have a defence that have only let in one goal in the last four games.”

Cumberbatch, however, is keeping his team selection very close to his chest and will only reveal his line-up when he hands in his teamsheet 45 minutes before kick-off.

He did, however, give this message to stay-away fans: “We’re getting results and playing some exciting football. I would hope people are talking and the crowds will come back and I certainly would hope some of them would like to see how we do against a Tonbridge side flying high in the premier.

“I think the first thing the club needs is stability. Glory, a very good cup run, finishing in the play-off’s would be fantastic, but what the club needs is a very good season and more fans coming to watch us.

“At this moment in time we’re fifteenth in the table but what we’re looking to do is to start to climb.”

But Angels’ player-boss Tony Dolby is expecting his side to brush aside their opponents to be in the hat for Monday’s draw.

Tonbridge reached the third qualifying round last season, where they were knocked out by Nationwide Conference North outfit Worcester City.

“We approach each game the same, full of confidence and Saturday will be no different with a lot at stake,” Dolby said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk

“We want to do as well as we can, for me and the players alike. There won’t be any holding back that’s for sure.

Suspended striker Jon Main will be replaced by Andy Martin, who scored his second goal of the season in their 3-0 midweek win over local rivals Maidstone United in the second round of the Westview Cup.

Reflecting on the win, Dolby added: “Another good performance, very solid and got a good response from the players, carrying on a good start.

Dolby feels Ashford midfielder Simon Glover, who scored against his side in a pre-season friendly, will be a threat to his side.

“Ashford are obviously hitting a decent bit of form, got decent players and form goes out of the window in the FA Cup,” he warned. “Both teams are on a high and hopefully we can get the better of them.

“You can’t go into an FA Cup looking for a draw. It’s important to play our normal game and that means going out to win and being solid at the same time.

“Simon Glover played well against us. He’s obviously a good player and they’ve added a couple of additions in pre-season but I don’t worry about the opposition.

With club officials insisting staying in the Ryman Premier League was their first concern, Dolby feels everyone should set their sights higher.

“We’re one point of the leaders after seven games, not many people thought that would be the case,” he said.

4 Richard Sinden, 4 George Fenwick, 1 Joff Thorogood, 1 Joby Thorogood, 1 Kenny Jarrett-Elliott, 1 Stuart Playford, 1 Anthony Allman.

Tonbridge Angels:

7 Jon Main, 2 Andy Martin, 2 Adam O’Neill, 2 Scott Kinch, 1 Scott Gooding, 1 Ray Powell (now Maidstone United), 1 Fraser Logan, 1 Robert Kember, 1 John Beales.

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£2 (under 16s)

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£1.70 to read an impressive match day programme

Club websites:

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk

www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk