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Ashford United sign striker David Smith

Ashford United have signed former Dover and Sittingbourne striker David Smith.

The Maidstone academy graduate will compete with Jay May and Brandon McCarthy for a place in the Nuts & Bolts attack.

He's a nightmare to play against, according to Ashford boss Tommy Warrilow, who's delighted to get his man.

David Smith (left) has signed for Ashford Picture by: John Westhrop
David Smith (left) has signed for Ashford Picture by: John Westhrop

Warrilow said: "It was a big ask for him to get in at Dover last year but the full-time training hadn't done him any harm and he'll be an asset for us.

"He's a handful, an absolute nightmare to mark. I used to hate playing against players like that.

"Dave has got everything: power, pace, he scores goals, his work-rate is good and he gives no-one any time.

"I think last year was a write-off for him regarding game time.

"He got pushed out on loan to a few clubs but when you sit down and think about it, the boy's never really had a system to play with.

"He's been at Dover with the system they play and he was not really involved, then he went on loan to Sevenoaks, then he went to Sittingbourne and then back to Dover.

David Smith playing for Sittingbourne Picture by: John Westhrop
David Smith playing for Sittingbourne Picture by: John Westhrop

"At least with us now, he's got the whole pre-season to buy into how we want to play. All he's got to do is get a season behind him of playing."

Smith's arrival is another key piece in the puzzle for Warrilow as he works towards the season start date of August 17.

He said: "I'm really pleased that I've got three forwards now with Jay May, Brandon McCarthy and David Smith on board.

"Those three will fight it out so we've got that area sorted.

"It's all beginning to fall into place. I think we've lost eight from last year so it is a complete rebuild but some have gone higher up the pyramid and I'm not sure about the others.

"We were in Saturday for our first session and we were delighted with what we saw.

Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow Picture: Paul Amos
Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow Picture: Paul Amos

"We've gone for quality rather than quantity. We didn't want 30 players running around the field so it all looks good at the moment."

Ashford host Sheppey in their first pre-season friendly on Saturday (3pm).

Warrilow said: "We're not expecting too much but we'll be working on some stuff on Thursday and see how the boys take it on.

"A couple of players have come in from the Welling Town fall-out, boys who look like they're capable of stepping up and there will be a couple more coming in this week.

"We will be having a look at we've got our under-23s so I'll see who's come through that and done well and we'll be introducing some of them to the first team squad."

Read more: The latest sports news from Kent

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