Kentish Football 
Cumberbatch rallies his troops for Dover date
Ashford Town manager John Cumberbatch has admitted that he has to rally his troops ahead of Saturday’s big Kent derby against Dover Athletic at The Homelands, writes Stephen McCartney.
Rob Goodger’s looping header just four minutes from time handed Chatham Town a vital victory over Cumberbatch’s men in the midweek bottom four dog-fight at Maidstone Road.
That win eases the Medway club seven points clear of the Ryman League Division One South drop zone, but Ashford’s 12th league defeat leaves them in a precarious position.
Ashford go into the game against third placed Dover just two points clear of Walton Casuals, who are in the relegation zone.
But despite some recent impressive displays, Cumberbatch is concerned that his side haven’t picked up enough points.
“I keep saying words like hope and expectation but that don’t really give us points,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their derby defeat at Chatham Town.
“It’s not being critical of ourselves but we have to look at reality and the fact is that were still not picking up enough points.
“We have to start getting points on the table. This (against Chatham) was one of the games that we’ve got in hand and we’ve got nothing out of it.
“I keep saying that games in hand are worth nothing until we turn them into wins and into points so I’m disappointed and very down at the moment.”
Ashford were on the end of a 4-0 defeat when they travelled to Crabble on Saturday, 18th November.
“When we went across there this season, even though we lost 4-0, it was one of those games when I think the scoreline did flatter them,” recalled Cumberbatch.
“We didn’t play particularly well but they certainly didn’t deserve four goals.
“Having said that, it’s going to be a very tough encounter or us because if we won (at Chatham) the confidence levels would have been sky high on Saturday.
“But a situation like this where you lose and dominate a game you go out and play a side like Dover and if things don’t work out for you early on players start to get a little edgy players start to thin that luck’s going to go against them.
“Somehow in training and before the game I’ve got to ensure their confidence levels are still up there.”
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Ashford Town v Dover Athletic
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 3rd February 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Kent TN26 1NJ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd