Kentish Express Ashford & District
Scoreline tough on United
Ashford United’s display was better than the scoreline may suggest with Hythe’s clinical finish the difference in this pre-season friendly at Reachfields on Saturday.
Shaun Welford marked his return from a hamstring niggle by scoring twice inside the opening half hour for Scott Porter’s men, who led 3-0 at half-time courtesy of Ollie Finch’s own goal. Dave Cook netted the fourth three minutes after the break.
United fell behind after two minutes when Welford pounced on to an under-hit back pass to beat Joe Mant but Paul Chambers’ side missed a great chance of getting back on terms quickly 10 minutes later.
Sam Fisher was unable to profit from a mistake by Town’s Dan Eason, poking the ball wide of the target,
Adam Cuthbert went close before Welford doubled Hythe’s lead after being set-up by another good opening.
United defender Jordan Miller headed just wide, before Finch, HYTHE TOWN ASHFORD UNITED continuing his comeback from a serious knee injury, gifted Hythe their third six minutes before the break.
Cook wasted no time getting the fourth soon after the re-start but United kept battling away in the second half, testing Eason twice more.
Sam Conlon produced Ashford’s best effort of the game just before the hour, forcing former Herne Bay ‘keeper Eason to tip the ball over.
Eason then saved comfortably from Keiran Byrne.
Information courtesy of Kevin Hall Left, Hythe’s Ryan Cooper
leaves Ashford in his wake, and right, two-goal Shaun Welford holds up the ball under pressure