Pre-Season Match,
Short Lane Stadium
8th August 2009

Ashford concluded their pre-season preparations with this victory over a hard working Slough Town. A cautious start by the Ryman Premier League men encouraged their Southern League Midland Division rivals to seize an early initiative and Ashford found themselves a little fortunate to be going in at the break all square.

Slough managed a couple of early half-chances from Simon Martin and Elliot Buchanan that were wayward before an excellent ball forward by Hone Fowler found Scott Harris on the charge tussling with Steve Jackman with keeper Ricky Perks urging his centre half to clear, Jackman, instead, dwelt on the ball very nearly letting the Ashford striker in but Perks came to his side’s rescue to gather.

The lively Steve Sinclair headed wide a cross from the left, and a free kick for a foul on Buchanan went wide of the mark before, in the 20^th minute, Ashford took the lead. Byron Harrison ran on to a ball out of defence and successfully held off the challenge of Rob Kean before slotting the ball past Perks.

As the visitors toiled manfully to regain parity their hosts became guilty of hiking aimless balls up field to no one in particular and in doing so losing possession and putting themselves back under pressure where Craig Ross, the Ashford custodian, was obliged to clutch a header from Buchanan before saving bravely at the feet of Martin.

Another astute ball from Fowler bought Scott Weight into the game on the half hour, forcing Perks to dive low to palm Weight’s shot away, the Slough keeper did well to recover his feet and gather the ball as Paul Johnson threatened.

As Slough tightened the screw, it seemed a goal was imminent and it duly arrived in the 38^th minute courtesy of some classic wing play as Sinclair received the ball on the right, beat his marker for pace and executed an inch perfect cross on the run which Milton steered past Ross with his head.

Sinclair was involved again soon after, forcing a good block out of Ross but the incoming Martin wasted a great chance to put his side a goal to the good by blasting the rebound high over the bar from close range.

The Middlesex side came to life in the second period with Scott Weight playing a pivotal role. First the young midfielder threaded a good ball through to Scott Harris whose turn deceived his marker, but Perks saved Harris’ shot with his legs then, in the 53^rd minute, Weight found himself on the end of a slick passing move that gave him the time and room to hit a blistering left foot shot (pictured) that Perks managed to get a hand to but could not prevent hitting the back of the net.

Midway through the half, both sides made multiple changes with three of the fresh faces being involved in a good move that nearly increased the Ashford lead. Mal Bulley found Ivo Genev with a well weighted pass to the left and the winger wasted no time in swinging in a deep cross to the far post where Warren Harris’ header forced a good save from Perks.

Genev was instrumental in his team’s third goal, in the 83^rd minute, after executing a couple of his trademark step-overs he laid the ball into the feet of ‘man of the match’ Paul Johnson. The Ashford skipper delivered a curling, teasing cross with his trusty left boot to the far post where Warren Harris despatched the ball past Perks with his head.

With Ashford dominating, Bulley went close after good work on the right from Vinnie O’Sullivan and Gavin Smith battled well to give Warren Harris a late chance which Perks saved.