Ashford United break new ground on Saturday when they make their first ever visit to Crowborough Athletic.

The East Sussex side were one of two County League sides who have switched to the Southern Counties East League this season, and lie 14th in the table, having won four and drawn three of their seven games at their Community Stadium base.

Their joint-first team manager Simon Colbran left the club last week.

United were handed an unexpected day off last week, when their eagerly anticipated second versus third home clash against Phoenix Sports fell victim to the weather, following an early pitch inspection at Homelands.

Operations manager Colin Hallybone said: “It rained heavily on Friday night, so we called in local referee Geoff Stanborough to look at 9.30am.

“It was hammering down then with thunder and lightning. We were monitoring the forecasts which said it would continue for the next 48 hours.

“Then it changed and predicted sunny periods by midday. At 3pm we could have played.”
Leaders Erith & Belvedere moved eight points clear of United at the top after an 86th-minute winner earned them a 2-1 win at Beckenham.

It was the Deres’ first game without 25-goal striker Alfie May who moved to Vanarama South side Farnborough last week.