by Kevin Redsull

Ashford embark on a hectic schedule of six matches in 12 days but manager Steve Lovell will refuse to blame a fixture backlog if results don’t go his side’s way.

The Nuts and Bolts, still firmly embroiled in the Ryman League Division 1 South relegation battle after last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by Burgess Hill, travel to Godalming on Saturday before two midweek home games against fellow strugglers Whitstable on Monday and title-chasers Worthing on Wednesday.

Lovell’s side then host Leatherhead a week on Saturday before travelling to Ramsgate on Easter Monday, followed by a home game with leaders Croydon Athletic two days later.

It’s the sort of demanding programme that any side could do without, especially one in Ashford’s precarious position, and it has been brought about by all the matches postponed during the prolonged bad weather.

But Lovell (pictured) was quick to point out: "To be fair it’s a case of swings and roundabouts because I was quite grateful at the time when all those matches were being called off due to the number of injuries we had.

"Now, I have got a squad of 17 or 18 players who are all fit again and so we should be able to cope with the next couple of weeks by mixing and matching but we will have a problem if we pick up two or three injuries because then the fit ones will have to play every game."

Ashford have 10 matches left following Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Chipstead and although they can all be viewed as important, the outcome of Monday’s clash with Whitstable could clearly prove crucial for both sides as they fight to avoid returning to the Kent League next season.

Lovell added: "We didn’t play well against Burgess Hill in a poor match which neither side deserved to win but we had two good wins before that (against Walton Casuals and Folkestone) and I think that four more wins will be enough to keep us up."