Suburban League Premier Division,
King George's Field, Tolworth
2nd May 2009

Ashford’s young second string are safe in a mid-table position and that was reflected in the way they approached this match, Casuals, far from safe themselves, boosted their chances of remaining in this division with a committed performance that deservedly bought them all three points.

Ashford started well enough and it looked to be a sign of things to come when George Baldock latched onto a deft flick from Teddy Kimpanboudi and found the back of the Casuals net after just seven minutes, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for, what must have been a very tight off-side decision. Two of the three Jacksons on show for the visitors, Martin and Reece exchanged passes before the former tried bending a side footed shot past Jon Beale but the Casuals keeper saved comfortably.

A scuffed shot from Baldock was picked up by Beale who sent the ball down to Billy Hussey, his one-two with Matt Ferdinando gave him room to shoot but he did not trouble Dane Buss the Ashford custodian, then Fernando missed the chance to open the scoring for the hosts when he got his head to a corner kick but he could only head the ball straight up in the air where Buss gathered safely.

A promising attack by the Middlesex side came to an end when the ball was needlessly given away in midfield and played out to the Casuals left where Ashley Quashie ran half the length of the pitch, without being challenged, before firing into the back of the Ashford net via the far post to give Casuals the lead.

Ashford were forced into making a substitution, just after the half hour, when, despite prolonged treatment from the lovely Tory, Jimmy Brazil went off with a rib injury to be replaced by Jimmy Stanford.

Stanford’s confidence shone through as he blasted a vicious 35 yard drive just over Beale’s bar but, despite the visitors having a handful of chances of their own, it was their hosts that scored the second goal courtesy of a free header from the unmarked Ferdinando following a cross from the Casuals left.

Kimpanboudi should have reduced the deficit straight after the break but, with the goal at his mercy, he blasted over from close range then, at the other end, a cross from the right found Luke Baker whose shot met the same fate.

Ashford pushed up in an attempt to claw back the deficit but the impressive Justin Clayton was the defensive rock on which the waves of attacks were dashed.

A driven cross in from the left by Stanford was fumbled by Beale but Baldock was unable to take advantage before good control and turn by Kimpanboudi gave him the chance to fire past Beale but that ‘goal’ was also ruled out by the assistant for offside. 

Kimpanboudi departed the field, in the 83^rd minute, after a spat of handbags with Quashie, who was cautioned for his part, raising a few eyebrows amongst the sparse crowd as the Casuals defender was equally guilty of ‘raising his hands’ as the Ashford striker.