|
 After two narrow away defeats, Ashford returned to winning ways on their return to the Robert Parker Stadium, defeating Aylesbury by four goals to one. Paul Burgess made two changes – Billy Witham replaced Bairoh Conteh in defence, while new signing Ashley Lodge started the match on the left flank. The former Molesey man made an instant impact, scoring the Ash Trees first goal of the afternoon, surging down the left flank before cutting inside and shooting across visiting goalkeeper Anthony Enders.
That goal came in the 35th minute and was the third major incident of the first half. The first was the award of a penalty to Aylesbury after Jim Mann was adjudged to have handled the ball. The home side were aggrieved and it might well have been argued that the contact was “ball to hand” but these things happen and the Moles’ Daniel Mead finished tidily. At that stage, the visitors were dominating the game, although Ashford responded well and Enders might have been dismissed for handling the ball outside the penalty area, although referee Whittaker decided that the presence of two defenders level with the incident meant that there was not an obvious goalscoring opportunity, so the stopper escaped with a yellow card. His colleague Ricky Miller was not so fortunate in the 30th minute, Mr Whittaker being so incensed by a comment from the Aylesbury forward that he stopped what looked like a promising Ashford attack to dismiss him. Lodge’s goal ensured that the match was all square at half-time, with the Moles regrouping at the interval and emerging in a determined mood. Indeed, for a significant part of the second period, it was difficult to tell that Ashford had an extra man. The Buckinghamshire side were playing a high defensive line and their offside trap frequently frustrating the home side. Ashford remained resolute and got their reward, scoring three times in the final fifteen minutes to secure a deserved win. It was midfielder Scott Weight who fired Ashford in front in the 76th minute, finding space in the penalty box to draw Enders off his line before firing home. Two minutes later, Ashford were 3-1 ahead, Mark Bitmead beating the offside trap on the right flank and slotting his shot across the goal and into the far corner. Bitmead then made way for Tom Kanek, whose inch-perfect cross set Dan Brown (pictured) up to make it 4-1 in the 89th minute. While the margin of victory was a little harsh on the visitors, Paul Burgess’ young team deserved their hard-fought win.
|
Thursday, 17 May 2012
