Ashford United manager Danny Kedwell sees new signings Mike West, Gabe Campbell and Jabari Christmas impress, while Barry Fuller loan extension secured

Danny Kedwell’s trio of new signings had an instant impact as Ashford moved up to a season-high position in the league.

Mike West made his debut after joining from Whitstable and it was his cross that set up the opening goal for Gary Lockyer in a 3-1 win over Herne Bay on Saturday.

A former team-mate of Kedwell’s at Ebbsfleet, West also excelled in a defensive midfield role to help Ashford climb to ninth in Isthmian South East.

Gabe Campbell and Jabari Christmas, who’ve joined on month-long loans from Dartford and Chatham respectively, also played their part.

Campbell scored the second goal after starting the match and substitute Christmas set up the third for Noah Carney after Bay, who had keeper Josh Bexon sent off for handling outside his area in the first 10 minutes, replied through Mike Salako.

Kedwell, who has extended Barry Fuller’s loan from Dorking for another month, felt it was the right time to add to his squad after a tough run of games.

Youngsters Mikey Berry, Jack Saunders and Preston Kedwell, in particular, needed a rest with their sports science running stats in the “red zone”, leaving them at risk of injury.

“Mike became available and, having played with him at Ebbsfleet, I know what he’s capable of,” said Kedwell.

“We’ve got Will Duprey out suspended for three weeks, we needed a CDM, so this was perfect timing. He was magnificent on Saturday.

“James Dunne’s more of a ratter, breaking play up, and then you’ve got Mike West next to him who’s unbelievable on the ball, so it’s a good balance.

“With Gabe and Jabari coming in, we needed bodies and they’re good players.

“I’ve been getting Harrison Hume and Mack Reilly in from Rochester on dual-registration to fill my bench up but they had a game on Saturday,