| There was a distinctly continental feel about this game - the Champions League style "Respect Handshake" made its Suburban League debut, the visiting Spitfires modelled Italian kit and, just like in a Serie A match, the Short Lane End was shrouded in smoke for most of the first half. The cause was not an orchestrated display from Ashford's Ultras, both of whom were watching the First Team, but was instead the result of a bonfire in the land next to the ground. Sadly, the weather was more reminiscent of Turin in January than Naples in the spring and the small but hardy crowd shivered in the gloom. The hosts were short handed for this game against League leaders Eastleigh, with the surprise return of Ian Barrado to the bench meaning the coaching staff outnumbered the substitutes 3-2. However, Ashford were clearly not short of motivation and started well, winning an early corner. In the tenth minute, Town took the lead when Jimmy Brazil hit a superb 65 yard pass into the path of Jon Palmer whose right-footed strike rolled across the goalkeeper and into the net.  | Jon Palmer: scored Town's first goal against Eastleigh |
Although the visitors had opportunities to test young Ashford stopper Dan Kennard, their first real opportunity fell to Scott Waters, who suffered an air shot, before hitting the crossbar while Matt Holley worked hard to prevent the striker scoring in the 23rd minute. Ashford had two penalty appeals turned down by referee Ernie Moore, whose garrulous demeanour helped the match pass off without a caution. A Scott Todd free kick found the head of Palmer, whose effort on goal flashed inches wide. After that, the two sides largely cancelled each other until the interval, which saw the Eastleigh manager visit Mr Moore to complain his side had been "given nothing" - it turned out he was right, as the Assessor told Mr Moore afterwards that he hadn't awarded Eastleigh a single free kick in the first half! The effervescent Palmer forced a save from visiting 'keeper Fred Toomer just twelve seconds into the second half and then come close again just three minutes later. Jimmy Stanford hit a free kick just over Toomer's bar as Ashford continued to dominate. The Spitfires had occasional pressure of their own, but Kennard was nerveless between the sticks and his confidence was replicated throughout the side as the Tangerines took the game to their guests. The crucial second goal came with nineteen minutes remaining and was nothing less than they deserved. A Stanford corner was half cleared as far as Martin Jackson, who swept the ball back out to Stanford, whose low, hard cross was volleyed home by Ross Bennett. Eastleigh were now chasing the game and pushed defender Chris Mason forward as an emergency striker. Mason duly pulled a goal back for his side with six minutes remaining when his shot deflected past Kennard. The visitors had strong pressure as they tried to snatch an unlikely point but the final chance of an entertaining game fell to Ashford's George Baldock, who hit an overhead kick over the crossbar after Eastleigh could not clear a Scott Todd strike which was well saved by Toomer. This was a well deserved victory for Ashford's young side, who will now travel to Ash United in good heart for a match that could have a significant bearing on the league table. |
Saturday, 04 February 2012
