Ashford’s Suburban side made it into the semi-final of the Suburban League Cup on Tuesday evening with a hard fought victory over AFC Wimbledon Reserves by two goals to nil.  They will now be at home to either Woking Reserves or Chessington & Hook United Reserves on Saturday 3 April to see who reaches the Final.

The game was an excellent opportunity to allow some match time for players who had been on the bench for the Sutton United match on Saturday and four of the five, namely Craig Ross, in goal, Scott Harris, Jones Awuah and Scott Weight, all started.  New manager Ben Murray also saw fit to include four of his Under 18 squad, with another three on the bench, so it was a well balanced team that took the field.

Both teams tried hard to get the ball down and play and it was a fast encounter for a reserve match.  In the first half, Ashford definitely had the ascendancy and really should have led by more than the solitary goal, scored by Jones Awuah, from the spot, after he himself had been brought down.  Referee Zuffa, making history of sorts by becoming the very first referee with a surname starting with “Z” to referee Ashford since 1982 at least, did not deem it necessary to punish the offender further.

The second half was a different story as Wimbledon piled on the pressure for much of the time, with left back James Stenning a constant menace as he advanced forward, but Ashford’s new look defence remained steadfast and the visitors were caught with the classic sucker punch when a quick breakaway enabled Scott Harris to double the lead, finishing a fast move with great aplomb.

Despite Mr. Zuffa adding on some nine minutes of stoppage time, there was no further scoring and Ashford’s new management team duly started with a win.  They will face an equally tough match on Saturday when they entertain Sutton United at Short Lane in a Suburban League match.

Other news to hand is that the Ryman League match away to Wealdstone has been re-arranged, following two postponements to Tuesday 13 April.