| Ashford drew their second game in succession after again throwing away a lead to end 1-1 with Conference South outfit Eastleigh. The game was a perfect opportunity for the reserve team to impress watching 1st Team Manager Mark Butler, especially as the Ash Trees started brightly from kick off. After some good build up play, Nathan Turner broke free on goal but failed to beat the keeper with a timid shot on goal. After the initial bright start, Ashford failed to create any other meaningful chances before the break, with poor passing and decision making being too prominent in their play. The defence did however look very solid, with Ike Chuckwudum and Guy Hollis impressing at centre back. After some home truths from the manager and his assistant Mark Powell, the Tangerines came out for the second half with much more purpose and quality to their play. Ivo Ginev was getting more into the game and creating good chances for his teammates from some telling crosses into the box. After some good saves from the Eastleigh goalkeeper Ashford finally broke through after another long throw into the penalty box from Hollis that the keeper couldn't hold, Jon Palmer pounced on the loose ball to score his second goal in two games. A home win seemed inevitable with only a fluke goal being a chance for Eastleigh to get back in the game. This was exactly what occurred when after a long throw into our penalty area that was only partly cleared, a shot from their forward deflected off Nick Hardy wrongfooting Paul Burgess and nestled into the bottom corner with only 7 minutes left. The reminder of the game was an assault on the Eastleigh goal with the e best chance going to Palmer who seemed to take his eye off a cross that turned into a free header that sent over the bar. Overall, lessons will hopefully have been learned about never switching off even if the game seems won, fingers crossed that we will be back to winning ways against Northwood on Saturday.
Team. 1. Lee Elliot, 2. Harry Wheeler, 3. Nick Hardy, 4. Ed Doyle (Enoch Aojepone-Akosay 52min), 5.Guy Hollis,6. Ike Chuckwudum, 7.Ivo Ginev, 8. Danny Byron (capt,) 9.John Palmer, 10. Nathan Turner (Ben Jones 78min), 11.George Baldock (Munir Dar 70 min) 80mins) Subs not used. Steven Collins, Daniel Crockett
Alternatively, check out the view from the stands.
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Saturday, 04 February 2012
