Ashford’s Capital League team entertained Wingate & Finchley Res in the Capital League on Wednesday evening and whilst results are not over important as we try to bring players on, it was frustrating to lose to the only goal of the match, scored quite early in the first half.  To be fair, it was a shame that only about ten people were present to see what was actually a very good goal.

Overall Ashford probably deserved to take something from the game on the run of play, dominating much of the possession in the second period in particular and playing well.  Whilst it is never right to crucify any individual player, it has to be said that Spencer Taffurelli, who showed up well in terms of holding and distributing the ball, missed an opportunity that had to be seen to be believed.  Quite how he managed to put the ball, not just over an empty goal, but over the netting into the Esso grounds from inside the goal area, only he will know.  There were plenty of other opportunities to score, although none as blatant.

Ashford are pondering whether or not to remain in the Capital League next season, possibly favouring a return to the Suburban League now that it has smaller divisions and home matches can be played in midweek, but one factor in the decision will certainly be the quaint refereeing in this league.  The result doesn’t matter, but last night, even though the match was played in a good spirit, there were two major incidents that the official needed to deal with.  Deep into the second half, Tyler Tobin in goal raced out to comfortably collect the ball.  Whilst not accusing him of deliberately doing it, the Wingate forward, a young lad, carried on and clattered into our keeper when he could and should have pulled out.  It was dangerous and foolhardy and could only be described as violent conduct.  He had to go but the referee lost all credibility by not taking the required action.  Tyler was able to resume after about four to five minutes of treatment.

Five minutes later Mark Bitmead set off upon another strong run on goal and from just outside the area he was blatantly pulled back by the Wingate centre-half.  There could not have been a clearer case of preventing a goal scoring opportunity and it was not a difficult decision.  Mr. Pardew decided though that a yellow card was sufficient, which quite frankly was atrocious. 

To compound matters, and again it probably didn’t matter as by that time one had started to think that Ashford wouldn’t get the ball in the net if they played all night, just over a minute and a half was added on, when there should have been at least five minutes, probably longer.