Having passed the pitch playable this morning, referee Kyle Kirkbride helped to fork the Short Lane surface to ensure the game went ahead.  However, it was visitors Sutton United who emerged happier that the match was played, taking advantage of a defensive error to secure the points with a 1-0 win.

Both sides tried to play football on a heavy pitch, and both sides had chances to score but were unable to convert them in an even first half.  Disaster struck for Ashford in the second minute of the second period, when veteran Sutton striker took advantage of being gifted possession and rounded Paul Burgess to slide the ball into the empty net.

The visitors dominated proceedings for a spell after that, but Ashford rallied and had enough chances to save a point.  However, Sutton were resolute and were only truly stretched in the final fifteen minutes.  In one notable incident, both Scott Harris and Jones Awuah had efforts cleared off the line with the ball also cannoning off the bar and the post.  Scott Harris went close again, and in the final minute Ashford had a strong appeal for a penalty after a grounded defender handled the ball.  However, the handball was insufficient to prevent Ghanaian international Jones Awuah from curling a shot against the far post.  However, Sutton kept Ashford at bay to secure a deserved win at the end of a decent game.

Terry Ryan's Match Report is now online.