| If there was ever a game of missed opportunities that would eventually get you punished then this was it. Ashford dominated the possession in this encounter more than any other match they have played since pre season but managed to lose for the first time this campaign. Ashford started as they usually do, keeping possession well, with Malachi Bulley looking sharp and Danny Byron in particular dictating proceedings. The best chance from the first half came when from a cross from the right was headed onto the post by Jon Palmer, Ben Jones was the first player to react and what looked like a certain goal turned into a fantastic reflex save from their outstanding goalkeeper. With a couple of other efforts from Bulley, Jones, Nathan Turner and George Baldock either saved or missing the target, it was only a matter of time before Tonbridge got a chance of their own and after a free kick that wasn't cleared, their forward took a shot that young Lee Elliot couldn't manage to keep out. The second half was one way traffic with The Ash Trees mounting attack after attack. This was slightly disrupted by the loss of Turner due to a twisted ankle. This lead to the introduction of Munir Dar who was very unfortunate to be on the bench in the first place. After some poor efforts from Dar and Bulley, Ashford finally got the goal that their play deserved when a shot from Palmer hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the inside of the goal line. It was all hands to the pump now and it seemed like only a matter of time before Ashford would get another goal. After another good move, Jones broke free after being tugged back in the box only for the keeper to pull off another save, no penalty and no goal. Then came the sucker punch when after a corner was cleared by Tonbridge they broke and advanced closer and closer to the Ashford goal without a meaningful tackle or clearance from the Ashford defenders, a shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Elliot however the rebound feel to a red shirt and the ball was tucked away. Even though the game seemed lost there was another and possibly Ashford's best chance when a great piece of vision from Jones played in sub Joel Binali, making his return after injury, but with the goal gapping in front of him their keeper somehow manage to get a hand to Binali's goalbound effort. The players were very disappointed at the end of a game they should have won comfortably, and lessons have to be learned not only regarding winning matches but also keeping focus for the entire 90 minutes if several of these youngsters are to progress to first team football. Team. 1. Lee Elliot, 2. Nick Hardy, 3. Jacob Joseph, 4. Malachi Bulley, 5.Tom Snowdon (Harry Wheeler HT), 6. Ike Chuckwudum, 7.George Baldock (Joel Binali 70 mins), 8. Danny Byron, (capt), 9. John Palmer, 10. Nathan Turner (Munir Dar 55mins),11. Ben Jones. Subs not used. Enoch Aojepone-Akosay, Thomas Nyarko |
Saturday, 04 February 2012
