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Ashford United boss Danny Kedwell reacts to 2-1 Isthmian South East victory at injury-hit Sheppey United

Danny Kedwell believes Ashford’s hard-fought Isthmian South East victory at Sheppey on Saturday shows how far the side have come in recent weeks.

First-half goals from James Dunne and top scorer Gary Lockyer ensured it finished 2-1 to the Nuts & Bolts to move them six points off the play-off places - albeit having played more league matches than most above them.

James Dunne congratulates Ashford team-mate Gary Lockyer on his goal in their 2-1 Isthmian South East win at Sheppey on Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell
James Dunne congratulates Ashford team-mate Gary Lockyer on his goal in their 2-1 Isthmian South East win at Sheppey on Saturday. Picture: Ian Scammell

Kedwell’s squad had been tipped as one of the favourites for promotion.

They made a slow start to the campaign under their new manager but a sixth league win in eight league fixtures, coming against injury-hit play-off rivals Sheppey, means the ninth-placed team are on the right track ahead of the festive period.

Kedwell said: “I feel sorry for them because I’ve had that.

“I’ve only just come out of that spell of always having injuries, suspensions and having to patch-up a team to go out there and play so I know how they feel. All you can do is fight.

“You’ve just got to try and get through each game and try to nick results. We did that.

Report: Sheppey 1-2 Ashford

“I did tell the boys that they would be on it - they’re at home and it's a hard place to come with a big pitch - but I’m very proud of my boys.

“Seven or eight weeks ago, we probably wouldn’t have won that game but, today, I felt a lot more comfortable.

“It just shows how much the squad is coming on.”

Lockyer produced a typical striker’s finish shortly before half-time to score - his 20th goal this season - for the game’s all-important third goal, ahead of a goalless second period.

It came after Sheppey midfielder Eitel Goueth had cancelled out the game’s opening goal from James Dunne, the midfielder converting at the second attempt with his penalty having been saved.

Ashford defender Barry Fuller attempts to charge down a cross from Sheppey's Gil Carvalho. Picture: Marc Richards
Ashford defender Barry Fuller attempts to charge down a cross from Sheppey's Gil Carvalho. Picture: Marc Richards

“We weren’t at our best,” admitted Kedwell. “For the first 10 minutes, we were very good and, obviously, we then got the penalty and scored from the penalty rebound.

“I thought, after that, we were very poor, giving them chances. We just took our foot off it a bit, thinking they probably were going to roll over and that it would be easier.

“But fair play to Sheppey. They came at us, got their goal and they were causing us problems.

“At half-time, we had to regroup, but we defended brilliantly.”

Kedwell revealed Dorking loanee Barry Fuller came off at half-time for Jack Saunders in front of a crowd of 434 at Holm Park.

Midfielder James Dunne in the thick of it for Ashford. Picture: Ian Scammell
Midfielder James Dunne in the thick of it for Ashford. Picture: Ian Scammell

“Barry pulled his thigh,” he confirmed. “He did it in the first five minutes, to be fair, but Barry is a warrior. He wanted to carry on and I just had to make a decision on that.

“I’d rather have him for the long run.”

While Dunne failed to convert his spot-kick after teenage Dartford loanee winger Gabe Campbell had been ruled to have been fouled by Gil Carvalho, goalkeeper Aiden Prall making the save, the 35-year-old wasn’t denied at the second attempt.

Speaking after the full-time whistle, Kedwell said: “He’s on four goals, isn’t he?

“I think that’s one of his best goal-scoring records for a season. His other penalties that he has scored have been unbelievable.

“Everyone misses penalties but it fell back to him so I’m pleased for him. We’re on our Christmas do tonight and I didn’t want him to be miserable!

“I’m buzzing that he’s going to be happy.”

Defender Ronnie Vint, who had made a single appearance for Margate this season after his stint on reality TV show Love Island, came straight into the Ashford team at Sheppey. He replaced player-assistant Dean Beckwith, 41, in the heart of their defence.

“That’s the reason why I’ve been onto him to come in,” Kedwell revealed. “I tried to bring him in the summer but, with all the other stuff that he’s got going on, he can’t commit properly.

“With Stoney (Craig Stone) away, we’ve decided to add there. Dean played last week but he hadn’t played for seven weeks so I had to get someone in because Dean was feeling it a little bit.

“You expect that at 41! I rang Ronnie up last week and asked him to do me a favour.

“I’ve known him for years and it’s good to have people like that, who you can bring in for a game or so until he’s ready to come back and play properly.”

Ashford host basement boys Phoenix Sports next weekend.

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