| Exactly three months to the day after Ashford's last away fixture ended in a 2-0 defeat, so their first tentative steps on a new journey produced a match with an identical scoring. The Moles are familiar opponents for Ashford and there were a number of familiar faces in the Town line-up, as well as several new players looking to impress Jamie Lawrence and his coaches. A noon kick-off on a neutral ground piqued the interest of a number of travelling Tangerines, as well as proving an alluring prospect for the groundhopper in your correspondent, who had been (mistakenly) led to believe the journey was straightforward enough from Hampton Court station. Well, if I'm honest, it wasn't difficult - it just took ages! As a result, the game was 25 minutes old before I reached the Old Cranleighan Club. Upon arrival, I was delighted to see floodlights, an ancient wooden stand with modern perspex dugouts opposite. Sadly, these facilities turned out to be for the all weather hockey pitch - we were on the far side of the ground. We were also 1-0 down by the time I arrived. Inevitably, it was ex-Ashford striker Matt Baxter who got the goal. The "home" side were playing their third game, to Ashford's first and looked a little sharper and quicker. The first half ended with Molesey a single goal ahead and although Ashford tried to move the ball purposefully, it was the Surrey side who scored the next goal, in the 62nd minute, when the ball somehow ended up in the Ashford net after a series of deflections. Molesey had a chance to make it 3-0 when Ash Trees' stopper Lee Pearce clumsily fouled an attacker to concede a penalty. However, the goalkeeper - a new signing from Egham Town - saved the spot kick. Jamie Lawrence brought himself on for the visitors and brought energy levels to his team's performance that several younger players could not match. It was during this spell that Ashford looked likeliest to score but ultimately, the result reflected Molesey's greater sharpness. As if losing were not painful enough, BamBeano then suffered the indignity of an al fresco nappy change after we found a baby change in the pavillion, but discovered it locked. There was no-one to ask about it and I never did find the bar... However, this game was not about gratification, nor was it about the result. What it was about was fitness and developing an understanding between team mates, so in that respect it can only have been helpful. Oh, and Lilly loved that long walk... | 
Wednesday, 08 February 2012
