by Luke Cawdell

Steve Lovell is hoping that a clear the air meeting with his Ashford squad has kick-started their flagging Ryman League, Division 1 South campaign.

The Ashford boss met with the players before their game against high-fliers Chatham last weekend and the team walked away with a well-earned point and their first clean sheet of the season.

Lovell (pictured) will now be hoping to get maximum points on Saturday when his side face fellow strugglers Chipstead at Homelands.

He said: "We had a meeting before the game and there a few home truths spoken but it did the trick and it cleared the air."

Lovell is facing a mini injury crisis ahead of the Chipstead game. Toby Ashmore broke a metatarsal bone in the Chatham game. Joe Fuller (ankle) and Paul Jones (groin) are doubtful and striker Mark Lovell has a suspected broken nose. Bryan Pearce is suspended.

Goalkeepers Seb Barton and Darren Ibrahim, meanwhile, are both struggling with groin injuries and reserve Dan Mason is on standby.