| Ashford finally played their first League match in three months, making the short trip to fellow title-chasers Chertsey Town. Fielding an older side than has frequently been the case this season, Ashford eventually emerged from a fine game with all three points - a haul that could prove vital at the season's end. Although there has been a paucity of Youth Team games in recent weeks, many of this group have been playing in the Suburban League and that additional experience may well have proved the difference. Certainly, the Tangerines were not ring-rusty, and stormed into a fourth minute lead. A rapid break sent Luke Whiteman clean through and the explosive striker duly scored his second goal in two appearances at this level. Ashford continued to dominate possession and field territory, but the final ball was often missing. Daryl Loates had a twentieth minute shot saved, from which the hosts hit his team on the counter-attack. The Curfews got the ball to George Rowley who went to ground, but saw his penalty claims waved away by referee Charles Breakspear. Luke Whiteman went close to scoring on two further occasions, and also created opportunities for his colleagues. All came to nothing and Ashford paid for their wastefulness in stoppage time. Chertsey looked as if they were about to be awarded a free kick, which would have probably ended the half. Mr Breakspear held his whistle for a moment though and Harry Driver lobbed the ball over Dane Buss from 25 yards. It was a fine first-time effort and the last significant moment of the first period. Once again, Ashford came out of the traps quicker and restored their lead two minutes into the second half. Once again, it was a rapid break that undid the Curfews, with the goal coming from an emphatic strike by Jimmy Stanford, which hit the net via the underside of the crossbar. However, unlike the first half, Chertsey responded to the setback by taking control of the game. Midfielder Frankie Driver had two good chances, one of which bounced off the inside of the post. The game was played at a fast pace throughout, and Ashford had an opportunity of their own in the 72nd minute, when a fine pass from Taylor Gough found Mark Bitmead, whose incisive cross was just claimed by home 'keeper Harry Bellinson under pressure from Stanford. Stanford and substitute George Jennings were both cautioned for dissent - Stanford's being utterly self-inflicted. Ten minutes from full time, Stanford might have clinched the game for his team when he was brought down inside the area. He took the penalty himself, but the delay caused by Ashford replacing Whiteman with Lewis Wombwell probably gave him too much time to think about where to put his kick, with the result that he put his shot to close to Bellinson. The rebound came out to Wombwell, who shot wide. Neither side went close to scoring again, but the return fixture at Short Lane will be an extremely interesting match if this entertaining encounter is a true barometer of the two squads' abilities. |
Saturday, 04 February 2012
