Vance Bola feels he owes Ashford after scoring his first league goal of the season.

Striker Bola is keen to make up for lost time following a delayed start to his Nuts & Bolts career.

He joined the club a year ago but suffered a knee injury playing with friends the same night and didn’t feature until the end of April.

New boss Kevin Watson kept him on after succeeding Tommy Warrilow and Bola got off the mark in a 4-2 Velocity Cup win at Ramsgate last month.

He’s operated mainly from the bench in the league but made the most of a start by scoring Ashford’s second goal in a 3-2 comeback win over Merstham on Saturday.

Danny Parish struck either side of Bola as United moved up to sixth in Isthmian South East.

“It was such a relief to score that goal on Saturday and show the fans just a little bit of what I can do - I owe them after what happened last year,” said Bola.

“That’s not me fully ready - I still feel my shooting is a bit rusty - but it was a good team performance.

“I scored a goal against Ramsgate in the cup, which meant a lot, but it doesn’t compare to scoring in the league and helping the boys get three points.

“It was such a good feeling because it felt like I’d been playing with weights on my shoulders.

“It’s been frustrating being on the bench and the best way to channel your energy is to go and score goals.

“I don’t want to sit on the bench so I’ve got to keep giving the manager a headache and I’m glad I was able to do that.

“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times when I’ve been sat on the bench thinking, ‘I’m better than this, I could be playing at this level or higher, why am I staying?’

“But fair play to the boys because they’ve been scoring goals - Danny Parish has been scoring, Ian Draycott has scored, Alex Akrofi scored when he was here.

“We’ve rained goals, even when we might not have had the best performance, so it’s hard to keep everyone happy when everyone is good enough to start.

“It takes mental strength to believe in what you’re doing and understand what’s going on because it takes a squad to win a championship.

“You can’t physically play every game of the season - you’d be burnt out - so there will be chances for everyone and you just have to be patient.

“We’ve got a good bunch of lads, the staff are excellent and Kev’s one of the best managers I’ve come across, so it’s a no-brainer to be here.

“I love Don (Crosbie, owner) as well. He’s such a genuine man. I’d never met him but in the whole time I was out, through my operation, he looked out for me.”

It’s hard to believe it’s a year since Bola arrived at Homelands.

But ex-boss Warrilow’s delight at signing a proven goalscorer turned to despair within half an hour, when the striker was crocked playing five-a-side.

“It was such a shame,” said Bola, who has also played for Margate and Sittingbourne.

“I was gutted because I really wanted to help the boys last season.

“We were on a good run and I felt I could have made a difference.

“This is why I want to work hard and try and help the boys get promoted this season.

“I feel like the fans deserve it because they’ve been so patient with me and so welcoming.

“I really do owe them, and the boys, because I made a silly mistake to go and play with my friends before playing for my actual club.

“I’d say my knee is probably 95% now. There’s still some strengthening to do but that will come with time, the more I train and the more I play.”

Ashford visit Horndean in the league tomorrow.