The eighth annual meeting between the two clubs named Ashford Town ended in a comprehensive win for the men from Middlesex. In fact, this was the second season in succession that the Ash Trees had defeated the Nuts and Bolts by four clear goals, having won 5-1 away from home a year ago, almost to the day. The men of Kent were fielding a large, possibly untested squad while the home side fielded a largely familiar line-up, although on loan Hayes & Yeading youngsters Charlie Wassmer and Jake Lovell were given berths in the starting line up. It was the Tangerines who took the lead in the eighth minute with their first meaningful attack as Billy Jeffreys headed in a Paul Johnson cross after a corner from Johnson was not properly cleared. The home side might have made it 2-0 in the fifteenth minute when Warren Harris left his marker behind as he charged into the Nuts and Bolts half, forcing a save from former Ashford (Middlesex) goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stephens, who then also saved Lovell's shot from the rebound. The tenacious Lovell was instrumental in his side's second goal in the nineteenth minute, winning a right-sided corner, which was headed behind. From Paul Johnson's second attempt, this time from the left, the unmarked Billy Jeffreys rose to power home a header. The home side continued to look more threatening in front of goal but were also slightly shaky at the back, a fact underlined by the fact Lee Hookey headed wide from a corner in the 32nd minute. However, the men from Middlesex soon regained control of the match, with Byron Harrison having three opportunities to score and Lovell being brought down by the last defender between him and the goal. The resultant free kick, taken by Adam Logie, was deflected away for a corner. From that set piece, Warren Harris forced a save from Chalmers-Stephens and from the resultant corner, Jeffreys completed his hat-trick of headers thanks to another accurate cross from Johnson. The remaining four minutes of the first half passed without incident. The Men of Kent made a series of substitutions both at half time and then steadily throughout the second half, giving all of their 18 man squad some game time, while the hosts had only four substitutes and introduced Gavin Smith and Brett Cooper in the 50th minute with Paul Johnson and Ricardo Joseph making way. Soon after, Mark Butler swapped Charlie Wassmer for Russell Canderton. With so many personnel changes, the game became scrappy and Lovell was hurt in a challenge in the 52nd minute, which may have had a bearing on his withdrawal ten minutes later, with Scott Harris replacing him. Both sides had chances to score in the 65th minute, with Ashford (Middlesex) surviving some very strong pressure before hitting their guests on the break, Byron Harrison shooting straight at substitute goalkeeper Darren Ibrahim. The visitors almost pulled a goal back a couple of minutes later when Craig Ross failed to gather a cross and the resultant corner bounced around the penalty area. Happily for the young stopper, his defenders managed to avert the danger. The final goal of the afternoon arrived with eighteen minutes remaining. A crisp passing move saw the hosts' Scott Harris set up Byron Harrison, whose finish was clinical and gave Ibrahim no chance. The match briefly boiled over with eight minutes to go when Ashford (Kent)'s Tony Browne caught Gavin Smith off the ball, which Smith took exception to. There was a brief melee, which was expertly dealt with by the referee. Moments later, Smith almost made it five when he headed over from a corner as the home side finished a good performance in a strong fashion. Ashford now travel to Molesey on Tuesday before welcoming Slough Town to Short Lane next Saturday. | 
Saturday, 31 July 2010
