| For the second match in succession, Ashford scored four times in a reserve team fixture. Happily, after the traumas of defeat at home to Whyteleafe the previous weekend, this time it was enough to secure victory and a place in the last 16 of the Suburban League Shield. Because of the postponement of the First Team's match at Redbridge, the side was boosted by the presence of Craig Ross in goal and fellow First Team squad players Jon Palmer, Jimmy Stanford, Nick Hardy and Scott Todd all of whom got some valuable game time. The trialists who have featured in recent games also continued to feature in what was an intriguing line-up. The tone was set for this game early on when Ashford enjoyed a strong spell of pressure which led to Scott Todd firing a half-volley over the goalkeeper and into the net from twenty-five yards. The game was a mere six minutes old. The hosts responded well to this setback and Andy Yates had a shot blocked as the game ebbed and flowed on a very heavy pitch. Halfway through the first half, Assistant Referee Bill Boyle was forced to leave the field with a knee injury. Fortunately, League Officer Tony King was in the crowd and took over from the stricken Mr Boyle. After this delay, the Tangerines regained control of the game, with Palmer and Stanford stretching the Cove defence. Teddy Kimbamboudi also had two good opportunities to score before Yates fired across Craig Ross' goal. However, that was a brief respite for Cove who, seven minutes before the break, found themselves two goals down. A throw from Marcelo Graca was crossed by Scott Todd to Jimmy Stanford who swept the ball home from the right flank. Three minutes later, it was 3-0 and again Scott Todd was at the heart of the move, charging down the left and crossing the ball for the unmarked Teddy Kimbamboudi to head home. Both Stanford and Kimbamboudi had chances to increase their side's lead although home stopper Alex Beeson denied Kimbamboudi and the score was unchanged at the interval. Cove made two substitutions in the early stages of the second half and although Stanford had a shot parried, it was the hosts who enjoyed a good spell on the very heavy surface. Craig Ross was in fine form and made three good saves to keep the hosts at bay. Ashford kept going and came back into the game, with both Moses Phillips and Martin Jackson narrowly missing the target. Sam Beridge went close for Cove, but Ross again made the save. Scott Todd again went close, and Stanford put the ball in the net only to see the goal disallowed for a foul. Luke Smith had a shot tipped over the crossbar for Cove, while Ashford continued to create a number of chances. The visitors finally added a fourth goal in the 89th minute when a superb pass from Jon Palmer found Jimmy Stanford who raced forward and fired low across Beeson. Ashford's reward for this good victory is a home tie against Sandhurst Town in Round Two. |
Saturday, 04 February 2012
