We must be top of the tree next season, says winger Sherwood

SINCE JOINING Ashford Town, winger Mitchell Sherwood has made a big impression, writes Sam Dixon.

Providing great width on the flank and installing himself as chief penalty taker, Sherwood has played a big part in the Steve Lovell revolution and now he reveals that Ashford Town were not the only club interested in his services.

“I had three options when the Ashford move came up,“ Sherwood told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.  “Either stay at Sittingbourne, come to Ashford or join Hastings who came in with an offer a day before Ashford.

“In the end it was a simple decision to make. I heard many good things from Steve [Lovell] and saw for myself the progression that was going to happen here with the stadium and everything so regardless of Sittingbourne being in the play-off places or Hastings being in the league above I only wanted to come here and I love it here.”

Sherwood has been joined at Homelands by a few of his former team-mates but there has been one player who he hasn’t played with before that has particularly caught his eye.

“It’s great that lads like Razor [Sean Ray], Hoggy [Anthony Hogg] and Lee Hockey are here, they are great around the dressing room and I know what they are all about. But the player that has impressed me the most has been Paul Jones, he has superb. As a winger myself, Jonah is a great player, he holds the ball-up so well and always gives us an option.”

With regards to ‘biggest influence in football’ Sherwood is in no doubt that his long-standing alliance with Lovell has helped to him to become a better player.

“When I was at Gillingham as a youngster I was a centre forward but Steve changed my game and adapted it to become a winger.

“I certainly believe I became a better player switching out onto the wing, I continue to work closely with the gaffer because he is always trying to improve my game.”

It took Sherwood a few games to get his name on the scoresheet, but after finding the net with two penalties he isn’t prepared to give up the spot kick duties.

“There were players in front of me at Sittingbourne but when I did get the chance I never missed. So when the chance came up here I was desperate to take it and get my first for the club, so until I miss no-one else is getting a look-in!”

When asked about his technique, the right-winger was understandably cagey: “I’m not giving away my secrets to taking penalties in case any ’keepers out their are reading this!”

Finally, although Sherwood hasn’t given up on promotion this season he has made his aims for next season very clear.

“If we win all our games in hand then we are in with a chance of reaching the play-offs but if we don’t we have to be up there next season. No excuses, we will have to win promotion."

Article courtesy of www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Ashford Town v Metropolitan Police
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 8^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ