| Ashford were delighted to welcome the youngsters of Reading FC to Short Lane Stadium for this friendly and were just thirteen minutes away from sealing a famous victory. Although the Ash Trees might be disappointed not to have won, they should take pride in their performance, which continues their remarkable unbeaten run. Just twenty-four hours after scoring for the First Team in twenty-five seconds, Jimmy Stanford opened the scoring for Ashford after only eleven seconds! The visiting goalkeeper miscued his clearance and Stanford returned it to him with interest. However, the lead lasted just a minute as the Royals scythed down the right flank and set up striker Andy White to score. White had Ashford on the rack moments later but Stanford and Danny Byron both had shots from distance as the game ebbed and flowed. Reading were playing some fine football but Ashford looked likelier to score, with George Jennings having another long-range drive saved. Finally, the Tangerines broke through in the 27th minute. Guy Hollis, returning to the club after a spell at Aldershot Town, hurled an enormous throw-in into the penalty area. In the ensuing chaos, the ball was bundled home by Jennings. That jolted the visitors into action, and they had Ashford on the rack for the remainder of the first period, although Dane Buss in the Ashford goal dealt well with the pressure. Both sides changed their goalkeepers at the break, with Town also making two outfield substitutions - in total eighteen players turned out for the Ash Trees on the night. Both sides were looking to play good football but Ashford were now looking like the better side. Substitute Taylor Gough and the energetic Danny Byron both failed to hit the target from the flanks but the Royals were by now only testing replacement goalkeeper Dan Kennard with long-range efforts. However, as the FA Cup has proven time and again at both Senior and Youth levels, the difference between the top sides and the giant-killers can frequently be measured in fractions. So it was in the 77th minute of this game, when a poor throw-in for Ashford was seized on by Andy White, who raced towards Kennard's goal and finished neatly. Moments later, Ashford had the ball in the net from a set-piece, but the "goal" was chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper, who left the field and was replaced by the original custodian. With seven minutes to go, Kennard saved well in a one-on-one situation and that, ultimately secured the draw for his team. All three teams on the pitch deserve credit for their approach to what was an excellent game (the officials were excellent) and Ashford should look back on this match with a degree of pride, while also learning as much as they can from their full-time opponents. . | 
Wednesday, 08 February 2012
