Lordswood boss has boosted the squad at Martyn Grove with three new signings this week ahead of the trip to Southern Combination Football League side Saltdean United in the Buildbase FA Vase.
With 1st choice keeper Rilwan Anibaba suspended and Henry Newcombe being recalled by his parent club Folkestone Invicta, Anslow has recruited goalkeeper Max Ovenden to the side. Ovenden joins us from last season's SCEFL champions Cray Valley where he has been understudy to Andy Walker. 24 year old Ovenden also counts Thamesmead Town and Croydon amongst his previous clubs.
Next up to sign is former Bromley player Nicky Greene. Midfielder Greene, 36, will provide valuable experience to the squad alongside the existing spine of the team and has also played for the likes of Sutton United, Thurrock and Kingstonian.
Finally Anslow has also signed 18 year old Emmanuel Maja. Maja played in the SCEFL two seasons ago for Croydon under the management of Harry Hudson and went on trial at Manchester City last year. Maja then followed Hudson to Isthmian League side Whyteleafe.
Hudson was quoted as saying “Emmanuel is one of the most technically gifted individuals we have had and is very driven to achieve his dream."
Ahead of tomorrow's (Saturday) game at Saltdean United, Anslow has told his players to forget about bad refereeing decisions and concentrate on taking their chances. Lordswood have been on the wrong end of two controversial penalty calls in the past couple of weeks, the latest coming at Hollands & Blair last Saturday.
The hosts were awarded a soft spot-kick moments after the linesman, whose foot was on the pitch, inadvertently kept the ball in play. It cost Lords their unbeaten record in the SCEFL Premier Division and left Anslow once again questioning the quality of officials.
He told the Medway Messenger: "We can only concern ourselves with the things we can control. We can't do anything about poor refereeing, it's out of our control, so we have to make sure we look after ourselves.
"If i had one criticism in the last three or four games, it's we haven't taken our chances. We're creating loads but we're not finishing enough and i'm not talking about the forwards, it's the whole team.
"Our set-piece delivery has been excellent but we're heading it over or missing a touch and it's those fine little margins that make a difference. If we get that right, after 70 or 80 minutes in games, we'll hopefully be comfortable and in control.
"I don't think i've ever managed a side that's created so many chances, so from that point of view we're not worried, but we have to start taking them."
Anslow added: "Saltdean had a good season last year so we know it's going to be tough and it's a bit of a journey. Our resources aren't massive and we only run a small squad, we don't have a lot of depth to rotate players.
"We attack every game with what we've got. We can't rest anyone because we don't have the resources in our squad."