| Ashford Town maintained their 100% Suburban League record with a hard fought win against Whyteleafe. The squad was even younger in years than the one that played on Tuesday night, with 16 goalkeeper Lee Elliott making his reserve team debut and 16 year olds Thomas Nyarko and Tayo Ajayi starting their second games in succession.
Ashford started the game well, creating good openings with some good football, however their comfortable grip on proceedings was badly affected by the loss of George Baldock in the first 20 minutes due to a thigh strain. The Ash Trees then allowed The Leafe to create some good chances themselves without ever troubling the teenage stopper, they did however win several corners, much to the frustration of Ashford's management.
The hosts began the second half with another enforced change with influential 18 year old Guy Hollis, who has recently returned from a broken foot, coming off for 20 year old Harry Wheeler. Ashford again started the better side, although their visitors probably created the better scoring opportunities. This was until another Ashford debutant, 19 year old Ben Jones, hit a volley from just outside the box that flew into the roof of the net. Ashford now started to frustrate their opponents by keeping good possession with right midfielder Ajayi causing problems with his pace and telling crosses that Ashford failed to convert. Ashford created another great chance from another free flowing move, with free scoring Munir Dar rounding the keeper only for his shot to be cleared off the line. Whyteleafe then came close when their forward hit a shot on the edge of the box that beat Elliott but thankfully hit the post. Their frustration boiled over when a forward was sent off for abusive language in the final minutes.
Overall, another good win for our 2nd string who now face a tough test against newly promoted conference side AFC Wimbledon.
Team. 1. Lee Elliot, 2. Nick Hardy, 3. William Joseph, 4. Thomas Nyarko, 5. Guy Hollis (Harry Wheeler HT),6. Ike Chuckwudum, 7. Tayo Ajayi, 8. Danny Byron (capt,) 9. Munir Dar, 10. George Baldock (Ben Jones 20min) 11. Steven Collins (Daniel Crockett 55min). Subs not used. Jacob Joseph, Lewis Wombwell |
Wednesday, 08 February 2012
