| Ashford Town (Middlesex) secured a second successive victory in the League - their ninth in a row including pre-season games - but were made to work hard for it by a determined Guildford City side. City had been narrowly defeated at Woking in their opening fixture, while Ashford had won emphatically at Fleet and responded to that victory by rotating their squad, although many of those not selected took part in the warm-up before watching the match from the terraces.  City had an early chance with a free kick that flew over the crossbar, but after that Mick Snowden's side were firmly on top, with Jimmy Stanford and George Baldock each having two chances in the opening ten minutes. Ben Sargeant and Jack Holloway had opportunities for Guildford on eleven and fifteen minutes respectively, but the visitors couldn't handle Stanford's pace and skill, although he didn't test visiting stopper Ali McQueen enough during the opening half-hour, which ended with City skipper Damien Arthur blazing wide. Ashford ended the half enjoying possession, but continuing to waste opportunities to score and it would have been the visitors who would have been far happier at the interval after putting in a lot of endeavour and some good football. The second half continued in the same vein as the first - both sides were working hard and attempting to play a solid, passing game, but Ashford were doing it much further up the field. Baldock had two early chances to give Town the lead after half time, but didn't hit the target with either. Even when the Tangerines did find their range, they found McQueen in superb, if unorthodox form. Tom Butler was one of several players who saw shots, good crosses and everything else repelled by the stopper's flailing limbs, while Danny Byron and George Baldock also went close. With nineteen minutes to go, the breakthrough finally came and it was a fine individual effort. City had struggled with their offside trap all evening and on this occasion substitute George Jennings - on for Daryl Loates - split the defence before advancing on McQueen and firing beyond his dive. Two minutes later, it was 2-0 when Jimmy Stanford headed home a fine cross from the right hand side. That was the cue for the industrious Baldock to be replaced by Dwayne Lowe-Simms, who almost immediately won a corner via a deflected shot. That was the beginning of a series of corners that seemed certain to lead to a third goal, although Guildford's tremendous work ethic saw the danger cleared after a six-minute spell in which the ball was rarely more than thirty yards from their goal. With three minutes remaining, the third and final goal did come and like the second, it was created by a cross from the right flank. This time, it was Dwayne Lowe-Simms who headed home, although his marker might have dealt with the high ball better. Ashford swarmed forward in search of a fourth but that might have been a little harsh on a visiting side who deserve praise for their approach to the game and for not giving up at any stage. Next season may well see them develop into a genuine force in this League. | 
Wednesday, 07 January 2009
