"Hatchet" put the Ash Trees ahead in the seventh minute of the game, hitting his brother Warren's cross into the net via a spectacular volley and doubled his side's advantage just eight minutes later when he met a Guy Hollis throw with a diving header.

The long throws of Hollis helped Ashford to go 3-0 ahead in the 18th minute.  This time, it was Adam Logie who found the net, although he also ended up with a bandaged head for his trouble!

Sutton were then awarded a contentious penalty which was converted by Alan Poulton to make the score 3-1 with less than a quarter of the game played.

There were no further goals in the first period, but Ashford stretched their lead to 4-1 almost straight after the interval, a Scott Weight free kick being headed home by Brian Haule.

Aided by a treble substitution, the home side rallied as the second half progressed and enjoyed the bulk of possession and, with that, the chances of scoring.  However, they found the no-longer retired Paul Burgess and his back four in imperious form and wave after wave of United attacks were repelled.  However, the Us did pull a goal back with thirteen minutes to go when substitute Steve Watts lashed in a free kick from thirty-five yards.

Sutton continued to press without pulling a goal back and were almost made to pay in the 88th minute.  A fine free-kick from player-manager Jamie Lawrence, on as a replacement for Jermaine McGlashan, was met by the head of Scott Harris, who nodded the ball beyond home goalkeeper Kevin Scriven and into the path of Warren Harris, whose shot rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.

While United will no doubt rue their missed chances, all of Ashford's players can take pride in their part in a hard-earned three points which lift the Tangerines to sixth in the table.