Three more goals for Ashford took their goal scoring over the last three friendlies to no less than 14 but manager Mark Butler was less impressed with the defending that saw visitors Oxford City, newly promoted into the Premier Division of the Southern League, pull back a two goal deficit, with the match eventually tied at three goals apiece. On an excellent surface, Butler rested a number of players from Saturday’s victory in Kent, and partnered Matt Baxter up front with Jon Palmer. Symon James also started, playing wide left, and made an immediate impact, more than living up to his nickname of Swifty. Also in the starting line up was young midfielder Gareth Teuten, making his debut following an impressive performance in the reserves on Saturday. Included in the squad was Under-18 player Danny Byron, who did not look out of place when he came on for his debut at this level early in the second period. As in previous matches, Ashford made a whirlwind start and for a while the visitors had no answer. It was no surprise when the Ash Trees took the lead on just 8 minutes. Ricardo Joseph and James combined on the left flank to produce a cross superbly volleyed home by JON PALMER. Ashford continued to impress but had to wait until the 27th minute for their second goal: it was a simple affair as Ricky Wellard swung in one of his dangerous corners, this time to be met with a ferocious header from ADAM LOGIE, that gave Oxford’s 48 year old keeper, Alan Judge, of Oxford United fame in seasons gone by, no chance.  Ashford’s visitors though had already showed signs of rallying and after one or two decent saves from Craig Ross in the home goal, a cross from the right found CRAIG FAUCONBRIDGE seemingly in acres of space and he reduced the arrears on the half-hour mark with a crisp volley of his own.
There was no further scoring before the break but it was the visitors who took up the cudgels after the break, enjoying greater possession, with Ashford no longer looking the crisp passing outfit they had been for extensive periods in the first half. An equaliser looked on the cards and it came when a long ball down the left flank seemed to run between Logie and Byron, on as one of four substitutes early in the second period, to find ANDY BAIRD for the visitors and he gave Ross no chance. Within less than a minute though Ashford regained the lead. A long defensive punt from Billy Jeffreys in the heart of the home defence was chased down by BYRON HARRISON (left) and a fortunate rebound meant the Ashford striker had only the keeper to beat, which he did with some aplomb. Oxford were by no means dispirited and Ross continued to perform efficiently in the home goal. With just five minutes left on the clock it looked as if Ashford had done enough to secure a hard fought victory but Oxford had the last word as ANDY GUNN eluded the home defenders to head home from a corner kick. In the last few frantic moments Ashford twice had the ball in the net, once from Gavin Smith and once by Byron Harrison but both efforts were ruled out by fairly tight offside decisions and Harrison was also denied a penalty when he was brushed off the ball. Had it been given though, it would certainly have come into the “harsh” category and the excellent Mr. Smith in the middle blew for full time soon afterwards with honours even. | 
Saturday, 04 February 2012
