Tommy Warrilow has urged Ashford to enjoy their victories after going top of Isthmian South East.

The Nuts & Bolts lead Haywards Heath - who they visit this weekend - on goal difference after beating Herne Bay 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Jay May and Johan ter Horst struck in the first half and they saw out the match with 10 men after Tommie Fagg was sent off.

It was their second win in four days after May’s double and goals from Fagg and Luke Burdon in a 4-1 victory at Whitehawk on Saturday.

“People have got to start enjoying victories more,” said boss Warrilow.

“With Ashford, it’s always the case that if we win a game, we were supposed to win anyway.

“We don’t get the kudos - not that we’re looking for it - but I do think you’ve got to enjoy good performances and wins and Tuesday night was a fantastic win against a very good side.

“It was an entertaining game, full of incident, and, most importantly, we got the three points.

“The first-half performance in particular was very good and then we’ve played a chunk of the second half with 10 men and come away with a hard-fought victory.

“I keep saying to everyone about enjoying it this year. After what’s happened over the past 18 months, you can’t take it for granted any more.

“When you enjoy it, that’s when you play your best football.”

Enjoying wins is one thing but Warrilow won’t be getting carried away with Ashford’s league position.

He added: “At the moment we’re top and it’s nice to wake up and see it but let’s see if we can sustain it. Never too high, never too low.

“There’s only one way you can go from the top, so if you lose a game and drop down, there’s no point going into meltdown about it, because you can always bounce back.”

Ashford have strengthened their backline by signing Liam Friend from Chatham.

The former Folkestone and Margate defender, who’s played hundreds of games in the Isthmian League, made his debut against Herne Bay.

Jono Richardson and Luke Leppard have been released following Friend’s arrival.

“Friendy will be a massive influence, on and off the pitch,” said Warrilow.

“He’s a signing I thought I had to get and he slotted in as if he’d been there for ages.

“A couple of boys have gone out the other end - Jono Richardson and Luke Leppard - and it’s horrible to have to make those decisions but you’ve got to make them.

“Who’s going to like hearing they’re being released? You don’t expect them to be thanking you.

“All you can do is be honest with them.

“I think they’ll be sorted for clubs, and rightly so, because they’ve not done a lot wrong.”

Forward Tashi-Jay Kwayie is available for the first time this season at Haywards Heath on Saturday as Ashford look to maintain their unbeaten start.

Warrilow said: “Tashi had a really good pre-season but then he had a month of work commitments. It’s good to have him back.”

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