1 day Ago By [email protected] (Craig Tucker)
Two of Ashford’s three Gillingham loanees have returned to Priestfield. Goalkeeper Taite Holtam was recalled by the League 2 club as cover after Jake Turner moved to Dagenham on loan. Stanley Skipper has gone back as Ashford take the chance to look at their own players, although fellow midfielder Harry Waldock remains at Homelands.
He featured as a second-half substitute in the Nuts & Bolts’ 2-2 draw against Sevenoaks on Saturday. All three players have impressed and manager Lloyd Hume hopes Ashford’s relationship with Gillingham will continue to serve them well in the future. “The three Gillingham lads have been outstanding in terms of their attitude, performances and general personalities around the club,” said Hume.
“Taite going back was a big surprise to us. “It’s very difficult to replace a keeper with 48 hours to go before your deadline to sign anyone. “But that was nothing to do with Taite, Gillingham needed him and he’s their player, so they took him back.
“Taite, Harry and Stanley have all got new contracts at Gillingham as pros, which is great, and credit to them. “It looks good on us after being with us for long periods of time but then I have to prioritise our players, as opposed to loan players, and we’ve got a lot coming back from injury. “We had Harry with us on Saturday but he was sub when he didn’t deserve to be out of the starting XI.
“Stanley didn’t deserve to be dropped and sent back but ultimately I have to make the right decisions for Ashford over the individual development of players who aren’t ours. “When I spoke to Stanley last Wednesday about going back, he was disappointed because he’s been loving it, he’s loving playing and feels it’s really helped him. “But I had to explain to him that it doesn’t help Ashford now we know you’re not going to be here next year.
“But what it does bode well for is other young players that Gillingham might have next year that are looking for loan moves have seen the benefit of coming to Ashford.” Goalkeeper Javarn Pitterson came in on loan from Welling to fill the void left by Holtam’s recall. The youngster, a product of the Wings academy, impressed on his debut against Sevenoaks.
“He’s a young lad, only 21,” said Hume. “He’s come in from Welling as a last-minute replacement for Taite. “We were told he was good and I thought he was outstanding.
” Hume rested veteran centre-half and player-assistant manager Craig Stone for the Kent derby. They missed his presence at the back but can’t rely on him forever. The same goes for player-coach Barry Fuller if, as hoped, his loan move from Dorking becomes permanent.
“It’s no secret we want to build a younger squad,” said Hume. “It’s really hard to replace a player like Stoney - he’s been magnificent all season - but at 36/37, he’s carried a few injuries and asking a player to play 45 games is really tough. “I’m in exactly the same position with Barry Fuller.
“I expect them to play games, I expect them to step in and out of the team, which will never weaken us and possibly even make us stronger when they do play. “But I think it would be foolish to rely on players of their age to be able to play every game of the season next year.”.
