Ashford United striker Vance Bola determined to make up for last season’s injury blow

Vance Bola feels he owes Ashford after scoring his first league goal of the season.

Striker Bola is keen to make up for lost time following a delayed start to his Nuts & Bolts career.

He joined the club a year ago but suffered a knee injury playing with friends the same night and didn’t feature until the end of April.

New boss Kevin Watson kept him on after succeeding Tommy Warrilow and Bola got off the mark in a 4-2 Velocity Cup win at Ramsgate last month.

He’s operated mainly from the bench in the league but made the most of a start by scoring Ashford’s second goal in a 3-2 comeback win over Merstham on Saturday.

Danny Parish struck either side of Bola as United moved up to sixth in Isthmian South East.

“It was such a relief to score that goal on Saturday and show the fans just a little bit of what I can do - I owe them after what happened last year,” said Bola.

“That’s not me fully ready - I still feel my shooting is a bit rusty - but it was a good team performance.

“I scored a goal against Ramsgate in the cup, which meant a lot, but it doesn’t compare to scoring in the league and helping the boys get three points.

“It was such a good feeling because it felt like I’d been playing with weights on my shoulders.

“It’s been frustrating being on the bench and the best way to channel your energy is to go and score goals.

“I don’t want to sit on the bench so I’ve got to keep giving the manager a headache and I’m glad I was able to do that.

“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times when I’ve been sat on the bench thinking, ‘I’m better than this, I could be playing at this level or higher, why am I staying?’

“But fair play to the boys because they’ve been scoring goals - Danny Parish has been scoring, Ian Draycott has