Latest Club News

Kent Cup Fixture Washed Out Again

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Ashford Victoria's Kent Junior Trophy fixture against Mote Park Rangers was cancelled yet again on Sunday morning as heavy rain over the past few days led to an unplayable playing surface at the Vics Courtside ground in Stanhope. The county competition second round tie has now been postponed for three successive weeks, and the game has been rearranged once more for Sunday 6th December.

That will mean that Victoria's fixture with Brewmaster Reserves, originally scheduled for that day, will have to be rearranged too to make way for the more important fixture with Mote Park, as the winners will then play their third round tie the following week on the 13th December.

And with the pitches at Courtside showing no signs of improvement along with more rain forecasted over the next few days, Vics manager Ryan Mills has admitted that he may have to resort to switching the game to Mote Park's home ground in Leeds, just outside of Maidstone.

"We have got to get this game played now, wherever we can. This will be the fourth attempt to get the game on next Sunday and it's important we find a winner as the next round is played the following week and we're beginning to build a backlog of cup matches" said Mills.

"We enter the Kent Cup expecting to travel, so a short trip down the A20 won't be too much of a task if it means getting the game played. Mote Park are the sole users of their home pitch in Leeds, so they get more of a say whether the games get the go ahead in these conditions and said themselves that the pitch was playable this morning".

The reward for the winners of the game once it is finally staged will be a home third round fixture against Ashford Sunday League, fourth division side Mersham Sports Reserves on the 13th December, the last qualifying game before the competition loses its regional zones and goes county-wide at the last-16 stage.

"We now have a great chance to reach the last-16 and face some really famous and well known sides from all over Kent, and put Ashford Victoria on the map on a county scale" said Mills.

"The Kent Junior Trophy is important to this club and I want to give it a real go this season, so we need all the players committed and dedicated to the cause next weekend. I won't tolerate a poor team performance again like the one against Burton Grove last Sunday, and anyone turning up hungover from the night before might as well stay at home because they won't be playing".

"We've got a big squad now, maybe one or two players too many to be honest, so there will be no walking on egg shells from now on. Every player has got to earn and hold down their place in the team because I want to win things this season"added Mills.

The Vics boss also admitted he has made an approach to sign Ashford Dynamo forward Luke Walder, and the former Crystal Palace schoolboy player could be involved in Sunday's game if the paperwork can be sorted out in time.

Fixtures Latest

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:00:00 -0500

The Kent Football Association today announced that the postponed Kent Junior Trophy fixture between Ashford Victoria and Mote Park Rangers will now take place at the Courtside Soccer Centre on Sunday 29 November. That means the League Cup fixture away to Park Farm Rangers originally scheduled for that date has been put back until the New Year to make way for the visit of the Maidstone League side after last weekends game was called off due to an unplayable pitch.

Victoria will now play a home league fixture against Burton Grove this coming Sunday, while the rest of the postponed Kent Trophy ties, including William Harvey's trip to Ashford Cavaliers, will also take place on the same day, a week earlier than Victoria's fixture.

That will mean that the Division Three games between Newchurch and Ashford Cavaliers as well as Bliby Reserves vs. Brabourne will be cancelled to make way for the rearranged Kent Cup fixtures this coming weekend.

Patterson Back in Contention

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:00:00 -0500

With Ashford Victoria without a fixture this weekend due to the recent wet and windy weather, most players will be disappointed not to be able to carry on where they left off from last weeks thrashing of Brabourne, and none more than midfielder Darren Patterson. The 27-year-old playmaker was instrumental in the build up to Victoria's assault on the Brabourne goal last Sunday, playing a major part in no less than five of the goals.

Patterson has had to wait patiently for his chance to impress this season after finding himself fall down the pecking order since the summer arrivals of Joey Mort and Dan Bushell, and has also missed out on appearances due to the excellent form of left-back Josh Hatcher. But after eight consecutive games starting from the substitutes bench, the former Ashford Eagles and Highfield left sided player was handed his first 90 minutes of action last time out, his first start since May 2009.

"It was nice to get man of the match (against Brabourne), I really enjoyed it and I'm starting to get back in the swing of things again" said Patterson.

"I know I don't score a lot of goals, but I love making them and playing as a team. Also with the likes of Jack Bundock making runs into the box all the time then that makes it easier for me because I love to play the killer ball" added Patterson.

Patterson was due to make his 50th career appearance for the Vics against Mote Park Rangers before the weather intervened, and Victoria manager Ryan Mills has promised to reward the midfielder with an extended run in the team after his performance last weekend.

"Darren was brilliant last week in my opinion, and I think we've missed what he brings to the team at times this season in his ability to make something happen from nothing" said Mills.

"Over the last couple of weeks he has come on off the bench to create match winning goals against both Burton Grove and Ashford Cavaliers, and grabbed another two assists in the 7-1 win over Brabourne too and it's no coincidence that we scored that many goals with Darren on the pitch. He has a great understanding with Jack Bundock too, and they have always seemed to click when they play together".

Mills admits though that he has been right to make Patterson wait for his chance to return to the starting line up, and says he will stay true to his word that Darren will stay in the side for as long as the performances continue.

"Darren has a terrific left foot, and probably has the best cross in the whole squad, and it's his distribution and passing that stands him out from the rest. But he knows I want him to work on the physical side of his game and that's cost him appearances this season".

"He's a big lad and needs the confidence to get stuck in at times, and we need him to become a warrior and a battler as well as a playmaker. It's kind of like David Beckham's situation with England, he's quality with the killer ball and set pieces, but with the likes of Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Milner about who have pace and can track back, he's restricted to late cameos to try and change games when he comes on" added Mills.

"He would have started tomorrow had the game gone ahead, and we'll have to see how things go over the next seven days before the next match now, but if he carries on playing like that he'll keep his place. I've been fair with other squad players this season too if they're playing well, the likes of Ryan Martin have come in and played well to keep their place in the team on current form".

"But Darren should be rewarded for his commitment this season, as I don't think many other players here would have shown the patience and would have stuck around being stuck on the bench for the last eight games, so I hope his team mates give him respect for that in that sense".

With Patterson back in contention, Mills has further cause for one or two more selection headaches with the return from injury of defender Mark Rutland. The former Hamstreet stopper has been out injured since July and has today confirmed that he is fit enough to return to the team after a nasty ankle injury.

"Having Marco back is a massive boost for the team, but I have decided not to throw him straight back in at the deep end" said Mills.

"He needs to take his time now and gain some confidence again to mentally recover from the injury, and he needs two or three substitute appearances before he should think about winning back a first team place. There won't be many games left this side of Christmas, so he needs to target getting back in the team in the New Year".

Kent Cup fixture Rained Off

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500

It has just been announced that Sunday's Kent Junior Trophy fixture at home to Mote Park Rangers has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Victoria's Courtside ground. With the pitch currently unplayable and more wet weather forecasted for the next couple of days, Ashford Borough Council and the Ashford Sunday League made the joint decision to call off the game, and save the Maidstone based side a wasted journey should they have travelled and the referee deemed the pitch unsafe.

The second round tie has now been rescheduled for the following week, and will now take place, again at Courtside, on Sunday 22 November. With all council pitches closed this weekend, it is thought the majority of Sunday's league and cup programme will be wiped out.

Vics to face Brewmaster in Sheber Trophy

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:00:00 -0500

Ashford Victoria will have to get past bogey side Brewmaster Reserves if they want to progress any further in the Sheber Challenge Trophy after the two sides were paired with each other in the draw for the second round. Brewmaster knocked the Vics out of both the Kent Junior Trophy and Division Three League Cup last season, and also ended Victoria's Sheber Trophy campaign back in 2007-08, also at the second round stage.

The Brews made it through to the second round after seeing off Man of Kent this morning with a 4-1 win. And now Brewmaster, who were runners-up in last seasons competition, will be looking to end yet another Victoria cup run and extend their five game unbeaten run against the Vics.

Brewmaster are currently in second place in Division Two, three points behind leaders Bromley Green Reserves, and have managed to keep the majority of last seasons squad together, although several players have stepped up to the first team this year including goalkeeper Tim Russell, striker Danny Trapp and former Vics midfielder Aaren Carlton.

Elsewhere in the draw for the last-16, William Harvey have been drawn at home to play Troggs Reserves, while Park Farm Rangers travel down to the Marsh to face either Stour Valley or Marsh Athletic. And in the tie of the round, the reserve sides of Market Hotel and Bromley Green clash looking to progress to the quarter finals.

In other club news, Vics manager Ryan Mills has tonight confirmed that former player Dave Cox may return to the club in the next few weeks after leaving Mersham Sports. Cox left Victoria at the end of the 2007-08 season looking for regular first team football, but things haven't worked out for the versatile player in recent months and he has decided to leave the village side.

Mills also hinted that Cox may be offered an additional role off the field, although it is not known at present where and what this involves, but will also be offered the chance to become a registered player should he be needed.

Sheber Trophy Second Round draw...

Bliby Reserves vs. Kennington Reserves

Stour Valley/Marsh Athletic vs. Park Farm Rangers

Givaudan vs. Newchurch

Ashford Eagles vs. Ashford Spartans

Aldington Sports/Brabourne Anchor vs. Burton Grove

Brewmaster Reserves vs. Ashford Victoria

William Harvey Inn vs. Troggs Reserves

Market Hotel Reserves vs. Bromley Green Reserves

Victoria to face Mote Park in Kent Cup

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:00:00 -0400

Ashford Victoria have been drawn to play against Maidstone League side Mote Park Rangers in the second round of the Kent Junior Trophy. The fixture, to be played at Victoria's home ground at the Courtside Soccer Centre, will take place on Sunday 15th November, and the prize for the winners will be the chance to progress to the final qualifying round before the competition goes county-wide in the New Year.

Mote Park Rangers play in the Maidstone League Third Division, and are currently sitting in third place with a game in-hand on leaders White Horse and Lower Bell FC. Like Victoria, they have have won three of their five league fixtures this season including 9-1 and 7-1 victories over The Fisherman's Arms and Marden Minor Reserves respectively.

Rangers made it through to the second round of the Kent Junior Trophy after thrashing Maidstone Second Division side Invicta Sunday 5-0 in round one, a result that proved they are capable of scoring goals having netted 34 times in their eight fixtures this season.

Elsewhere in the draw, Ashford Cavaliers face William Harvey in the tie of the round, while Bliby Reserves face a tricky fixture away at Kennington Reserves. Ashford Spartans have a good chance of progressing after being paired with Maidstone League side Mid Kent Athletic and Brabourne Anchor travel to face Man of Kent.

Kent Junior Trophy Second Round draw...

Ashford Cavaliers vs. William Harvey Inn

Ashford Spartans vs. Mid Kent Athletic

Ashford Victoria vs. Mote Park Rangers

Cassidy's Phoenix vs. Mersham Sports Reserves

Kennington Reserves vs. Bliby Reserves

Man of Kent vs. Brabourne Anchor

Newchurch vs. The Odds

The Park Inn vs. Marsh Athletic

Vics paired with Park Farm in Cup

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:00:00 -0400

Ashford Victoria have been handed a difficult route to the Division Three League Cup final after the draws for both the quarter finals and semi finals were announced today. The Vics must face Park Farm Rangers in the last-eight of the competition, and if they are successful against the Farmers, a possible derby with William Harvey Inn could become a reality in the semi finals.

Park Farm beat Victoria 4-3 last month in the league to hand them their first defeat of the season, and Victoria will surely be out looking for some revenge. The last time the two sides met in a cup fixture, Victoria ran out 10-1 winners in the Division Four League Cup semi final back in March 2008.

Should the Vics move on to the semi final stage, they will face either William Harvey Inn or the winners of the Preliminary Round tie between Burton Grove and Ashford Eagles.

In the other half of the draw, last seasons winners Newchurch face bottom of the table Brabourne, while the winners of this weekends Ashford Cavaliers and Aldington fixture line up against Bliby Reserves

Quarter Final Draw...

Ashford Victoria vs. Park Farm Rangers

Brabourne Anchor vs. Newchurch

William Harvey Inn vs. Burton Grove/Ashford Eagles

Bliby vs. Aldington Sports/Ashford Cavaliers

Semi Final Draw...

Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 3

Winner Match 2 vs. Winner Match 4

Banks Suspended for Rant

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:00:00 -0400

Ashford Victoria forward Darren Banks has been given a two-game internal club suspension following comments made after Sunday's 2-1 Kent Junior Trophy victory over Burton Grove. Banks posted a comment on a social networking site sarcastically questioning Vics manager Ryan Mills' team selection, and the club has acted quickly in accordance with the Football Association's Respect campaign guidelines.

The former Prince Albert striker, who has scored three goals in six appearances this season, was dropped to the bench for last weekend's fixture to make way for the fit again Jack Bundock, a selection change that Banks clearly didn't agree with. Bundock had been unavailable for the previous three league and cup fixtures due to an ankle injury and work commitments, and Victoria boss Mills was clearly not impressed with Banks' reaction.

"There is a right way and a wrong way to discuss my team selections and tactical decisions, and Darren has gone down the wrong road this time" said Mills on his player.

"I always invite players to call me or come and talk to me about their football or team selections, if a player found themselves out of the team for any reason for a lengthy spell or period I'd be annoyed if they didn't as it shows that they are wanting to improve. I have already had a few chats with two or three of the boys this season about my plans for them this campaign".

"But publicly posting silly comments on my Facebook for all to see was the wrong decision and shows a lack of respect for both myself, the players and his team mates. This comment was available for everyone to see, and I have purposefully not deleted it so others who haven't read it yet can read for themselves" added Mills.

Banks, who signed from relegated Division Four side Givaudan in the summer, questioned whether that if he didn't turn up for a few games, maybe he would get a start after Bundock and Matt Deeble were restored to the starting line up after missing last weeks 3-2 league win at Brabourne.

"I wasn't aware that there was a rule that players returning from injury or work commitments the previous week had to start on the bench when they came back. I decide who plays and who doesn't and it's my job to pick the right team of players to win the game in question, and as we won the tie on Sunday my selection proved correct" said Mills.

"Writing a public comment on Facebook is the Premier League equivalent of say Michael Owen running to the Sunday Mirror newspaper and saying that Alex Ferguson only picks his favourites. It's like Michael Owen played the previous game up front, but now Berbatov and Rooney have come back and Owen was dropped to the bench, Owen wouldn't go and slag his manager off would he?".

"I don't have to defend my team selections on here, but I decided that Jack (Bundock) needed some minutes under his belt and the Burton Grove game was the perfect time to give him a game. Banksy hadn't scored in his three previous appearances, and I decided to make a change and it should have been left at that".

Banks will now miss the big league fixture with William Harvey on Sunday, and the Sheber Trophy game at Ashford Cavaliers the following week after his outburst, and Mills has left the ball in Banks' court.

"I probably know how this will end up, but Darren's got two choices really. He can apologise to me and his team mates and come back and fight for place in the team, or call it a day and move on, I'll let him decide and I'll respect either decision" said Mills,

"Several of the boys have phoned or text me this week after reading the comments and voiced their concerns of his commitment to the team, and I'd like to get this cleared up and brushed aside as soon as possible so we can concentrate on our football, and more importantly Sunday's big game at William Harvey".

Mills has already moved quickly to fill the gap left by Banks for at least the next two fixtures by drafting in former player, and younger brother ,Michael Mills, and hopes to give the former Charlton Athletic youngster another crack at Sunday League football. Mills junior was a regular for the Vics back in the 2006-07 season before moving on to play local Saturday League football and representing the Charlton Athletic Community side in the Kent County League, and did make his comeback in last weeks 3-2 win over Brabourne as a second-half substitute.

Vics Face 'Make or Break' Period

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0400

Ashford Victoria manager Ryan Mills wants to see his side start to realise their potential over the next few weeks in a period that he believes could make or break the clubs season. The Vics face a crucial league clash with Division Three leaders William Harvey next week, a fixture sandwiched between two important cup ties, and Mills is going all out for three successive victories to help put his side on the road to silverware at the end of the season.

Victoria travel to Burton Grove on Sunday in the first round of the Kent Trophy, a competition that Mills would like to do well in and want his side to show their progress as a team and reach the full county draw next February.

"I wouldn't have entered the club in the competition if I didn't want to take it seriously, or think that we didn't have a chance to win it. We did well last year to get to the last 32, but eventually went out to old rivals Brewmaster just before the full county draw, and I'd love to go further this season" said Mills.

"I think we have been too relaxed in our two previous Kent Trophy campaigns, maybe treating it as just another fixture and taking the chance to rotate the squad and give some of the fringe players a run out. But this year I will be treating the games with the proper respect and fielding my strongest team in every round, and hopefully we can have some success this time out".

Then the following week Victoria face neighbours and title rivals William Harvey Inn, and Mills admitted that defeat to the pub side would make it very difficult for Victoria to be taken as serious championship contenders.

"We have to get a result at William Harvey, for sure. Another league defeat, especially to a massive title contender, would be disasterous for us at this stage of the season, and we will go all out for the win" said Mills.

"I know a lot about them as a team and as individuals, and I think we've found a way to beat them, and as long as we turn up with the right attitude like we did recently against Bromley Green, then I'm sure we will do well. A win against Harvey would really put us in the title frame in what is turning out to be another tight and closely fought division this year, with four sides in with a genuine shout of challenging for the championship" added Mills.

"Every player has to be dedicated to the cause now, I won't accept any poor performances from my players and everyone should realise that we have a very competitive squad now. I think we have a very strong first team on paper developing, and I am pleased with how things are coming on, but it is also important that the boys struggling for games or finding themselves on the fringes of the team at the moment also take their chances when they get one to push for a place in the team".

"Over the past three seasons it seems that we have always been the bridesmaid and never the bride so to say, everyone comments and says how promising a team we are and that we have the ability to play in a higher division, but we always seem to fall short when it really matters and this is the time to really push ourselves and step up to that next level and win something".

Mills Proud of his Youngsters

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0400

Ashford Victoria may have been knocked out of the Charity Trophy at the weekend, but Vics manager Ryan Mills believes that losing to Bromley Green could be the kick start his side needed to spearhead a serious title challenge in Division Three this season. Victoria were just eight minutes away from taking Premier Division side Bromley Green to a penalty shoot out in Sunday's 3-2 first round defeat, when Green substitute Robbie Greenfield popped up with a cruel winner deep into extra time to send the Kent League club through to the second round of the competition and avoid an potentially embarrassing giant killing.

"It was kind of weird to celebrate a defeat, but everyone recognised that they had given everything and taking a side like Bromley Green to extra time was a great achievement" said Mills.

"The players were fantastic on Sunday, and they proved that they are capable of facing sides that compete at a higher level, and hopefully they will be able to do that on a regular basis with Ashford Victoria over the next few seasons. The work rate of our boys was amazing and a few looked absolutely shattered at the end, and I couldn't have asked for more commitment from any of them".

"We even had several very good chances to win the game in normal time but we didn't get that extra bit of luck you need at times to finish off a good chance. We fancied our chances if we could take the game to penalties, but we lost concentration for just a second and opposition like that do not need a second invite to score match winning goals" added Mills.

"We can take an awful lot away from this game now and hopefully take the added confidence and enthusiasm we have found into our league campaign and this weekend's fixture at Brabourne".

Mills admitted that it was the best team performance he had probably seen in the four years the Vics have been in existence, but singled out his youngsters for extra praise. The Vics boss started an eleven with an average age of just 22 against Bromley Green after opting for youth over experience.

"We fielded a very young side, probably thinking about it one of the youngest we have in recent times, and I was very proud of the lads. Josh Hatcher was outstanding at left-back and didn't look out of place against higher division opposition at all, and for a 19-year-old to play like that in a relatively new position just shows what a player we have on our books" said Mills.

"Also Luke Stafford did exactly what was asked of him and had a brilliant game anchoring the midfield, a position that I think his style of play suits him best. He loves to go in and win the ball and for a youngster never panics when in possession, a quality that we spotted straight away when we first saw him play last year"

"And when you think that the likes of them two along with Wayne Cleave, Dan Bushell, Matt Deeble, Joe Mort and Richard Coombes are all 22 or under, we have a great group of young players already first team regulars with great futures ahead of them" added Mills.

One other player Mills was keen to single out was left midfielder Joey Mort, who scored the second Vics goal and was a constant menace to the Bromley Green defence with his skills and tricks.

"Joey also had an outstanding game and is a player that I really rate highly" said Mills.

"The goal he scored from a free-kick was brilliant, and he could have bagged another two or three on another day. The thing I love about watching him play is that he seems fearless, and will try all sorts of flicks and outrageous tricks to beat an opponent or to make something happen. He is strong, fast and can really hit a ball, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up picking up one or two individual awards at the end of the season at the presentation evening".

"Joe did want to drop back and play at left-back this season, but I really believe he is much stronger in the oppositions half of the pitch, and if he can score a few more goals over the next month or two then his confidence in himself will increase and I think we'll see an even better player".

The Victoria players also spoke out after Sunday's game, with goal scorer Dan Bushell particularly full of praise for his team mates and manager.

"I felt quite hard done by losing like that, but everyone should be really happy with their performance. We had a couple of good chances that we should have scored from, and Coombesy only really had one or two saves to make" said Bushell, who joined Victoria from Adisham Nomads in the summer.

"I thought Tony Mason fully deserved the man of the match award as he had a brilliant game and was quality at the back, a solid performance. Let's hope we can take that performance into next week now".

"Luke Stafford had a good game with Jonesy in midfield, and I think (Matt) Deeble was knackered at the end playing up front on his own. But that was a quality formation today that Ryan chose, hard, hard work though for the players, but the Gaffer is a genius!".

Skipper Andy Jones said "Gaffer should be proud today, that's his team out there that he has put together", with defender Wayne Cleave adding, "It was a bit gutting to lose, but we still played well and showed that we can play at a higher level".