| Ashford had an early chance when Paul Johnson spotted the ‘Angels’ keeper off his line but could only lift the ball over the bar. Byron Harris then had a good chance to add to his account but he miss-kicked Warren Harris’ cross and the ball was cleared. Good vision from Scott Weight, soon after, as he spotted Brian Haule’s run down the right and found the Ashford striker with an astute pass, it took a good covering tackle from Jon Heath to cut out the danger at the cost of a corner. Steve Ferguson’s long throws caused consternation every time he hurled the ball into the host’s penalty area with one, in the 21st minute, only being half cleared to Lee Minshull whose shot Craig Ross saved with his feet. Ashford finally broke down the resolute ‘Angels’ defence to take the lead in the 41st minute, Brian Haule running on to a well weighted through ball from Johnson before shooting across Lee Worgan and in at the far post. The home side’s lead though lasted just 3 minutes as an Anthony Storey free kick to the far post was nodded back across goal for Liam Harwood to prod home from close range. A freekick by Johnson was safely gathered by Worgan before Paul Booth was allowed to waltz through a static Ashford defence to give Ross no chance, though the Ashford custodian did manage to get a hand to the ball, to give his side the lead, then Ross was again called into action to produce a good save from Kirk Watts after fine work from Jean-Michel Sigere. Midway through the half, substitute Scott Harris, on for Brian Haule, headed a long throw from Guy Hollis wide then, two minutes later, in the 63rd minute, Ashford equalised. Johnson found Byron Harrison on the left, Harrison made his way into the ‘Angels’ penalty area where he coolly slid the ball past Worgan who remained rooted to his goal line for the Ashford striker’s 50th goal in this his 100th appearance for the Middlesex side. Two minutes later Harrison turned provider, chipping a delightful ball over the visitor’s defence where Johnson kept his composure to beat Worgan from 10 yards to restore Ashford’s lead. Another tremendous save by Ross kept out Booth before Adam Logie finished off an Ashford move by heading home from close range but the ‘goal’ was disallowed for a questionable off-side decision. A low cross from Brett Cooper was impudently back-heeled just wide by Warren Harris then Ross kept his side ahead with a superb save from the head of former Staines man Marc Cumberbatch. As the game drew to a close, Tonbridge applied considerable pressure as they looked for the equaliser but Ashford held their nerve to record only their 2nd victory over their opponents and to move up to 7th in the league. | 
Saturday, 04 February 2012
