Ashford’s exciting run continued on Tuesday evening, as they scored another glut of goals, this time against Barnet FC in the 2nd Round of the Middlesex Senior Cup. Barnet sent a young side to Short Lane, but the tone for the evening was quickly set after just a minute’s play when Arif Bala put Ashford ahead, followed just after the 15 minute mark with a second goal, this time from Mr. Consistent, Alexander Paine.
Manager Luke Tuffs had made several changes from the side that had beaten Ascot on Saturday but the quality was not diminished in any way and it was no surprise when Anthony Cheshire made it three. It could have been more before half-time with three more efforts being cleared off the line before the break.
Jack Arnold had been given a rest prior to the important league match at home to Raynes Park Vale this coming Saturday and it was probably just as well given Barnet’s propensity for one or two of their players to employ some quite roughhouse tactics at times. Skipper George Lock was though forced off before half-time and may be doubtful for Saturday. Although he was obviously a top official, Turkish World Cup referee Huseyin Gocek seemed reluctant to brandish cards though when, certainly, one or two would have been justified. Maybe the level of tolerance in Turkey is higher than in England.
Anyway, there was no further scoring before the break and the match became more even in the second half even though keeper Marcin Brzozowski was rarely troubled to any significant extent. Ashford looked to be in consolidation mood but a fourth goal arrived in the 62nd minute and was probably the goal of the match. Lewis Hillary picked up the ball outside the penalty area, with the visiting keeper off his line and sent a delicate chip over his head for an excellent strike.
There was no further scoring until the 88th minutes when Ben Mulley got in on the act to make it 5-0. That was not the end of the scoring as Jack Maskwell scored a decent enough goal for the visitors in stoppage time.
The draw for the quarter final has been made and Ashford will be at home again, to either Broadfields United or Hanwell Town. Their tie last night was abandoned at half-time by the referee due to an “incident” so presumably the matter is now in the hands of the County, although we don’t know any more that that at the moment. The match is provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 17 November.
After the match, manager Luke Morgan-Tuffs praised his squad and highlighted that every member of the group has a part to play:
Focus now shifts to Saturday’s Pitching In Isthmian League match at home to Raynes Park Vale who are fifth in the South Central Division, two points and two places above the Tangerines in the early season standings.
