| Ashford survived a late surge from their hosts to secure a valuable away win that lifts them to sixth in the table. Mark Butler made one change to the side that defeated Billericay on Saturday, with the injured Craig Ross replaced in goal by Paul Burgess, who was returning from injury himself to make his 630th First Team start. Playing down the Earlsmead slope, the Tangerines started the match brightly, with an Adam Logie header cleared off the line in the eighth minute. With players struggling to keep their grip on a slippery surface, quality chances were at a premium, although Ashford looked more threatening, with Scott Harris and Byron Harrison both causing problems for the Borough defence. The hosts had opportunities of their own, not least when Kwasi Frempong was given an opportunity by a Billy Jeffreys miskick, only to shoot wide. However, a minute before the interval, it was the visitors who took the lead when an Adam Logie pass found former Borough player Byron Harrison who controlled the ball and curled the ball into Andray Baptiste's net. Borough made a substiution at the interval, replacing Kurt Morlese with Warren Whitely, although Ashford continued to look the better side. Scott Harris had a low shot saved, while Billy Jeffreys headed just wide. With 21 minutes remaining a long throw from youngster Guy Hollis saw Baptiste spill a shot from Logie, which led to a counter attack from the home side, only for Ashford to attack themselves, then Harrow surge forward again. An entertaining passage of play was eventually ended by Burgess claiming the ball. The final fifteen minutes of the game saw Scott Harris have two good chances, the second of which was cleared off the line. Buoyed by this let off, Harrow threw the kitchen sink at their visitors, with Dewayne Clark forcing a save from Burgess and substitute Josiah Hunte heading wide while unmarked. Although Borough had a late corner which was hacked off the line, Ashford held on to secure a deserved victory. |
Friday, 12 March 2010
