Chester v AFC Telford: Boss backs Bucks to out-gun Akwasi Asante
AFC Telford United chief Gavin Cowan is well aware of the ability of Chester’s striking sensation – but has backed his attackers to outshine him.
Akwasi Asante is the one to watch for the hosts tomorrow at the Deva Stadium, writes Joe Edwards.
He has scored four goals in his first two league games for the Blues after joining them on loan from Tamworth.
The 26-year-old netted a hat-trick on a perfect debut against Darlington and then struck against Stockport, so will be hoping to keep up his hot streak against the Bucks.
And Cowan has seen him trouble many National League North defences in the past.
Asante chipped in with 17 goals as Solihull Moors clinched the title in 2015/16, while Cowan was there as a player-coach.
The quick and strong No.9 then went on to endure difficult spells with Grimsby and the Lambs before his recent renaissance with Chester.
“Akwasi, on his day, is very, very capable,” said Cowan.
“He’s had a tough couple of years but he’s made a good start there.
“If he plays as well as he can, they’ve acquired themselves a very good striker. But we’ve got some very good options here.”
One of those options, Daniel Udoh, will be keen to find the net against the Blues.
He had a brief spell there last campaign but scored a brace against them in Telford’s victory earlier this term, and would love a repeat of that.
The 22-year-old goes into the encounter on 15 goals across all competitions.
But Cowan insists the Bucks’ other centre-forwards – Amari Morgan-Smith, Andre Brown and Matt Barnes-Homer – are all in with a shout of featuring, as they have been firing on all cylinders in training.
“We’ve not just got one striker, we’ve got a few who can score goals,” he said.
“Everyone’s been bang at it in training this week, the standard has been really high.
“Everyone’s fit and chomping at the bit to be involved, so I’ve got a few decisions to make.”
Another Chester player Cowan knows all about is winger Adam Dawson.
Dawson began this season with Telford, having turned down a move to the Blues.
But, after finding game time hard to come by at the New Bucks Head, he eventually joined Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men last month.
The Bucks complained to the FA that the Blues made an illegal approach for the player, which Chester have strenuously denied.
Dawson then accused Telford of ‘sour grapes’, so is unlikely to get a warm reception from the travelling faithful.
The Blues have issued a rallying cry to supporters ahead of the clash.
Johnson said: “We need to push forward and get those crowds above 2,000 fans per home game.
“Let’s make this stadium a fortress. Let’s intimidate the opposition.
“They need to know that once that whistle goes, it’s their 11 lads versus our 11 – plus 2,000 people. We promise you, this is a team to be proud of.”