Ashford Town (Middlesex) survived a late setback to secure a 2-1 win at Peacehaven & Telscombe this afternoon.  The Sussex League side played good football all afternoon, but failed to make an early spell of pressure count and before long, the Tangerines were in control.  However, the visiting side struggled to cope with the long grass at the Sports Park, with the surface taking the sting out of several good efforts on goal, although home stopper Heyburn was also in fine form.

Although Ashford looked the more threatening side, they came within a whisker of going in for tea a goal behind, with the hosts catching the Middlesex side on the break and striking the inside of Lee Pearce's post.

Having survived that scare, Ashford came back out for the second half looking assured, and eventually took the lead in the 62nd minute.  Peacehaven were unable to clear their lines and, eventually, a Jamie Lawrence header created a chance for Jones Awuah, which the Ghanaian international duly converted.  Ashford should have made the tie safe when they were awarded a penalty after Jamie Lawrence was crudely brought down.  The officials decided the Town manager was going towards the goal-line, so his assailant was booked rather than dismissed.  Jordan Kiffin took the spot-kick, but his shot was saved.

Peacehaven were rather fortunate to equalise, scoring their goal as the stopwatch reached ninety minutes.  Having been awarded a rather questionable free kick, they then launched the ball forward from at least fifteen yards ahead of where the foul took place.  The resultant chaos forced a corner, from which a shot came in that substitute Billy Jeffreys handled.  Marshall made a better job of his chance from twelve yards, finding the corner of the net.

The visitors were not finished, though and immediately surged forward, with a Jamie Lawrence header finding Mark Bitmead.  The youngster had only been on the pitch for three minutes, having come on for the hard-working Awuah, but kept his cool to shoot through the goalkeeper's legs.  The goal was tough on 'Haven's seventeen year old stopper, who had performed with distinction, but the win was no less than Town deserved for a positive performance.

Ashford now entertain Worthing in the First Qualifying Round on 11th September, after the Rebels beat Arundel 6-0 this afternoon. Terry Ryan's match report from the Sports Park will follow. 

After the match, Mark Bitmead spoke to the Official Website.  You can either download the interview or play it using the streaming player, below.