Against the runaway league leaders, Ashford gave a good account of themselves yesterday and over the full ninety minutes probably deserved to get something from the match.

The starting eleven was unchanged from last week whilst new signing Jones Awuah was on the bench but the game did not start well for the visitors with Dartford taking complete control in the opening minutes and twice going close to scoring.  In just about their first foray into the opposition half though, on seven minutes, Ashford were awarded a penalty following a foul by the home keeper.  Following Brian Haule’s recent miss against Horsham recently, Jamie England took the job on and confidently struck the spot kick home to give Ashford the lead.

Dartford were duly stung and an o.g. following some sloppy play by the Ashford rearguard saw them equalise quickly and then take the lead and at that stage it is fair to surmise that most Dartford  supporters were probably and reasonably anticipating a comfortable victory.  Nevertheless Ashford always looked dangerous on the break against a surprisingly hesitant defence at times and Jamie England made it two apiece just before the break, finding himself in the clear from Paul Johnson’s pass and again making no mistake.

Holding on to what they have got is sadly not one of Ashford’s best attributes and within three minutes of the second period, Dartford went ahead again.  Once more it was not good defending even though Paul Burgess did well in keeping out the first effort.

The game seemed to change from that point though as Ashford started to take the game more and more to their opponents, especially down the flanks with Dartford finding it difficult at times to contain the pace of both Warren Harris and Jermaine McGlashan.  It would be exaggerating to say that the Darts were no longer a threat but it was mostly Ashford who drove forward time and again, looking impressive at times.  However, they did not trouble the keeper as much as they should have done, given the levels of possession they were enjoying.  The best opportunities fell to Jamie England who saw one effort go wide and another over the bar while Paul Johnson saw a curling free kick well saved.

All in all it was certainly a good effort and despite coming home with “nul points” Ashford will look forward to Tuesday’s equally difficult trip to Wealdstone, knowing that they are capable of mixing it with the best in this division.

Full report to come from Lonnie Donegan.

Meanwhile back at Ashford, the Suburban side went down 1-2 at home to Leatherhead.