| Forty-eight hours after these two clubs locked horns in a Reserve Team match, the Under 18 squads met at Bracknell for a match that was not as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest. Indeed, in the early stages, the Robins had far more of the ball than their visitors, although they did not seriously threaten Dane Buss' goal until the 16th minute, when a shot from Andy Brint flew just over. Both sides had decent chances to score before Mick Snowden made two substitutions in the 32nd minute. Within seconds of the changes, Ashford were in front. The excellent Jimmy Stanford ran at the Bracknell defence then crossed for George Baldock, whose shot hit the infamous "Bracknell bobble" and went behind for a corner. From the resultant set-piece, Stanford's cross was headed home by the unmarked Byron Watkins. Bracknell's Michael Murrell shot across goal after the Ashford defence lost concentration and the home side ended the first half strongly, with a sustained spell of pressure from the Robins leading to a Tom Nugent shot over the crossbar. Both sides made changes at the break, with Bracknell's first-half goalkeeper, Robbie Nicholas, emerging as an outfield player and having a good second period. Indeed, after Stanford had shot just wide for Ashford, Nicholas volleyed just over for his side. However, eleven minutes into the second half, it was Ashford who doubled their tally. A Stanford free kick was headed across goal by Lewis Wombwell and Ben Kandebi bundled the ball home. Bracknell, playing up the slope, enjoyed a strong spell of possession after that and hit the post, as well as Nicholas hitting a shot against Buss. They also failed to hit the target when well-placed on a couple of other occassions and this profligacy would haunt the Robins as Ashford ran riot in the final ten minutes. The third goal came in the 80th minute, when Wombwell was brought down just inside the area. Although the challenge looked a clumsy one, there was still surprise when the referee awarded a penalty from forty yards behind the play. Taylor Gough's finish was an emphatic one and seemed to cause Bracknell's heads to drop. Four minutes later, it was 4-0 when a 25 yard drive from Alex Zamit went under the goalkeeper's dive and into the net. Lewis Wombwell had been impressive following his introduction at half time and had two late shots on goal. The first, on 86 minutes was a fizzing 25 yard drive which was well-saved. However, moments later, the man in the yellow boots had completed the scoring with a bullet header from a well-placed cross from the left. Ashford could be very happy with their evening's work, which was their third win in a week. With two more matches this week, all of Mick Snowden's squad will get some game time as preparations for the new season continue. |
Friday, 03 September 2010
