In front of the Zamaretto League Chairman, Ken Turner, along with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and President  of Surrey County FA, a last minute goal from Jones Awuah saw Ashford beating visitors AFC Hornchurch and into the last 32 of the FA Trophy for the first time ever.

Hornchurch will doubtless rue their failure to snap up at least one of their chances, especially the one some ten minutes from the end, when the ball somehow rebounded from the inside of the post to safety, with keeper Paul Burgess helpless for once.  Other than that, the visitors piled on the pressure for much of the game but a series of long balls high into the area were generally well dealt with by central defenders Billy Jeffreys and Russell Canderton, and with 41 year old Paul Burgess in top form in goal behind them, every attack was thwarted.

When Ashford were able to play, they produced some neat and tidy football at times but chances were at a premium and as time went on, a replay at Hornchurch seemed on the cards and maybe the visitors in their minds had settled for that.   Then the goal arrived and there was no time for Hornchurch to come back.  It would be hard to single out any one of the squad for their determination to hold out against an impressive opposition but the non-stop running of both Jordan Kiffin and Luke Hickie does deserve a special mention.

Just as in the previous round at Bishops Stortford, the Hornchurch players and officials could not have been more sporting after the match despite what must have been an unexpected defeat and it was not difficult to see why they have just gone undefeated for eleven matches.  Apart from their failure to convert possession into goals on the day, admittedly very important, they looked a strong outfit and it would certainly not surprise anyone from Ashford if they were to win promotion from the Ryman Prem at the end of the season and we wish them every success in doing so.