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A superb first half
performance saw Ashford into the last 32 of a tournament they won in
2007, although their much changed line-up had to withstand a strong
fightback from the home side to secure the win. The hosts suffered an
early setback when their captain, John Cartledge, limped off injured in
the fifth minute to be replaced by Jason Henry. The visitors
looked more incisive on a frosty surface, with Scott Todd and Gavin
Smith having the first clear chances of the match.
While Ashford were dominant,
and playing some very nice football, the Tanners looked dangerous on the
break, with a free kick from Tony Cuff causing visiting 'keeper Craig
Ross his first problem of the evening in the 27th minute. However,
the Tangerines continued to look more likely to find the net and duly
took the lead in the 37th minute. Scott Todd was at the heart of
the goal, causing havoc down the left flank before cutting inside and
chipping the ball into the danger zone for Paul Johnson to score with a
diving header.
Four minutes later,
Ashford's was lead was doubled when some poor defending allowed Gavin
Smith a clear run at goal and the former Bracknell striker promptly
tucked the ball away past Chris Lewington's dive.
Leatherhead had a couple of
chances as the first half ended, but both Mark Elston and Tommy
Hutchings failed to hit the target.
The second half saw
Leatherhead throw the kitchen sink at their guests, starting in the 48th
minute when a Hutchings free kick struck the post from thirty yards.
However, despite all of the Tanners attacking endeavour, they couldn't
peg back the Tangerines, with Smith and Jon Palmer both narrowly missing
the target, while Todd also had a chance to score.
The home side continued to
seek a route back into the match, with Hutchings forcing Ross to tip a
shot over the bar in the 63rd minute, while Henry hit a swift cross
which narrowly eluded the onrushing strikers.
Byron Harrison, on as a
replacement for Palmer, had a shot saved in the 85th minute, before
Hutchings went close for Leatherhead. From that chance, Harrison
went close again, before having a final chance in stoppage time as
Ashford booked their passage to the Third Round.
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Saturday, 04 February 2012
