Six of the best for Roundwood Ashford lose out in a thriller

at The Woodlands down the left and his pinpoint cross found an incoming Byrne who powered a header into the Rovers net.

The Roundwood onslaught continued and Ashford were fortunate to have Luke Fitzpatrick in the right place to clear off the line. However it was only a temperory reprieve as from the resulting corner Conor Fee headed home from close range.

The jewel of the first half goals came just before half-time. Johnson struck a free-kick from out on the left touchline 30 yards out. Once more aided by the breeze his effort left Doyle helpless.

Shortly after half-time Kyle Kearney drilled another shot past Doyle to stretch the lead to five.

However Ashford refused to lie down. With the elements in their favour a ball was dropped into the dangerzone and Jake Cullen reacted fastest to prod home.

In the next attack Adam Tighe bundled into the Roundwood area and crossed to Ben Kelly who drilled home.

Ashford’s momentum was killed minutes later when Roundwood struck another fatal blow. Enda Byrne was set through and he calmly placed the ball past Doyle for his second of the day.

Ashford Rovers battled till the end and closed out the scoring when Tighe expertly curled the ball beyond Roundwood keeper Lorcan Smith with the outside of his right boot.

Zander Johnson was man of the match not just for his wonder goals, but his reading of the game at the back was a joy to behold.

Roundwood: 1. Lorcan Smith, 2. Lorcan Murtagh 3. Zander Johnson, 4. Daniel Byrne, 5. Kyle Kearney, 6. Neil Ryan, 7. Alex Hassett, 8. Thomas Murphy, 9. Conor Fee, 10. Enda Byrne, 11. Luke McKenna, 12. Darragh Wolohan, 13. Jack Wolohan.

Ashford Rovers: 1. Fionn Doyle, 2. Luke Moran, 3. Karl Drummond, 4. Josh Nicholls, 5. Evan Glynn, 6. Jake Cullen, 7. Adam Daly, 8. Luke Fitzpatrick, 9. Cormac McGrath, 10. Ben Kelly, 11.Ben Meade,12.Aaron Corry, 13. Adam Tighe, 14. Dylan Doyle, 15. Mattie Collin,16. Evan Byrne

Referee: S Ferguson.