A slow start to the match ultimately cost the Men’s First Team their place in the Velocity Cup as Hendon claimed a 3-2 victory at the Robert Parker Stadium.
The Greens took the lead in the opening minute when Sam Shaban capitalised on a defensive error to score and doubled their advantage in the fifth minute when Nathan Brathwaite intercepted a loose pass out of defence and slotted the ball past Liam Allen.
The Tangerines rallied and Ben Mulley pulled a goal back just before half time. This gave Ashford impetus to carry into the second half. Arif Bala had a shot cleared off the line and debutant Lewis Hillary almost equalised in the 57th minute, but it was Hendon who struck next, against the run of play. Florian Ara rounded Liam Allen before cutting the ball back to Lathwaite, who grabbed his second goal of the evening.
Just after the hour mark, Jaiden Celestine-Charles scored for Ashford, smashing home a rebound from his own shot. This game the home team new momentum and Town laid siege to Hendon’s goal, having a late effort chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper. However, the Dons held on and will face either Cobham or Peacehaven & Telscombe in Round Two.
After the match, manager Luke Morgan-Tuffs gave a typically forthright assessment of the match to Charlie Bailey:
The line-ups, key incidents and programme from Tuesday’s match are available in the Match Centre.
