Southern Youth League West Division,
Kingfield Stadium, Woking
2nd October 2008

Manager Mick Snowden and coach Ben Murray are committed to fielding what they believe to be their most experienced and therefore hopefully their best players for the FA Youth Cup. After a run of games that went FA Youth Cup, Friendly against Reading (where a strong team was obviously required) then another FA Youth Cup tie, a decision had to be made whether to play predominantly second year players for what was going to be a tough league game against Woking’s academy side. With the next fixture being an FA Youth Cup game it was decided that it was time to involve more of the younger players in the squad for this game. Consequently Luke Whiteman,  Rav Rhandawa, George Baldock, Danny Byron and Byron Watkins were asked to train with the Reserves. The squad that travelled to Kingfield Stadium consisted of eight first year players and eight second year players.

There is a belief in all these players after a run of fourteen successful games and that belief was required in this game. Woking are what you would expect from a group of boys who are coached several days a week. They are well organised, have a commitment to playing a passing game and are sharp in what they do.

This game started fairly evenly with both teams having good possession of the ball although there were no real goal scoring opportunities. Gradually however as the half progressed Woking started to take command and were regularly testing Ashford’s defensive capabilities. They pushed Ashford back into their own half and moved the ball well being prepared to be patient with their attacks. Ashford’s midfield and defenders have been well drilled in how to defend as a unit and although the pressure gradually mounted they coped admirably with this pressure reducing Woking to a few long-range shots.

The pressure was telling in that the Ashford boys were not retaining the ball as well as their opponents. This does not mean that Ashford were penned in their half but were relying more on break away attacks which they did on several occasions. Dwayne Lowe Smith and Lewis Wombell forging a new attacking partnership were working hard and causing the Woking defence some trouble on these breakaways and Lowe Smith had two long range efforts that were well constructed this was followed by a sharp effort from Daryl Loates that was hit with power but was probably a foot over the bar.

The best strike of the game came from a Woking player, the shot was struck from twenty five yards and was only inches over the Ashford bar. Dan Kennard the Ashford keeper who had a good game and was solid throughout, didn’t seem fazed by this and had the ball covered and was prepared to let the ball go over him not feeling the need to touch the ball.

Late in the first half, during which Woking were probably the dominant side but which appeared was going to be goalless, a mistake followed by a slip allowed Woking to take the lead.  Ryan Bona, who has constantly been one of Ashford’s best players this year, attempted to pass the ball back to a covering defender under no real pressure. He under hit the pass and a Woking player latched onto the loose ball. He was supported by another Woking player who attacked the space to his left. Tom Snowden who was the covering defender attempted to deal with the situation by shutting the player down but also attempting to get himself into a position to stop the second attacker. Whilst doing so he slipped leaving a completely free run on goal to the Woking player. As Dan Kennard came to meet him he slipped the ball under him and into the empty net.

Half Time: Woking 1 Ashford 0.

Manager Mick Snowden’s ire at half time was not to do with the score line but more to do with the nervousness of some of his players when in possession of the ball.

The second half started as the first one finished with Woking appearing to have better possession. Ashford’s two forwards were being starved of any real quality chances and were becoming ineffectual. However a series of substitutions and change of formation changed the game completely. Stanford came on for Lowe Simms Josh Finch making his debut came on for Mark Bitmead who was also making his debut and George Jennings came on for Tom Snowden. Ashford went to a three – five – two formation and almost straightaway dominated proceedings. As often happens in these situations Woking found themselves on the back foot and had to defend with more and more desperation.

In the 86^th minute Daryl Loates an ex Woking player himself who worked tirelessly on the left all night showed some real quality. He attacked the defender in the penalty box getting almost to the bye-line and then whipping the ball across the face of goal. Josh Finch having come on as sub and playing in central midfield got to the cross first and side footed the ball, using the pace already on the ball, into the far corner. (Loates has already got the attention of the first team manager Mark Butler and had appeared in a first team fixture on Tuesday).

Now Ashford had their tails up and Hollis who again was strong and efficient in defence smashed a header from a Stanford corner against the cross bar.  This game lasted 98 minutes and in the 95^th minute another excellent cross from the left foot of Loates was met by Stanford, who has the ability to read these situations, with a finely executed glancing header into the bottom corner of the net.

The disappointment of the Woking players and the Woking bench was clear to see and contrasted with the exuberance of the Ashford boys who knew they had been in a game of high quality. Ashford’s coach Ben Murray hit the nail on the head after the game praising the Ashford boys for their strength of character that got them through and allowed them to obtain all three points. 

Final Score Woking 1 Ashford  2

Team (4-4-2):