Welford goal only worth a point

Substitute Nad Nwitua – the smallest player on the pitch – headed in a second-half equaliser to deny Ashford maximum Southern Counties East League points at Homelands on Tuesday night.

Assistant manager Shaun Welford gave United a half-time lead before unmarked Nwitua pounced to head in a corner 11 minutes after the break to ensure the spoils were shared in the clubs’ second meeting of the season already. Lords had won 3-0 in Medway last month.

However, there was a tetchy end to the night, when Dave Cook, in his last match before returning to Hythe, (following the appointment of dad Clive as new joint-boss at ASHFORD UTD LORDSWOOD Reachfields) and visiting goalkeeper Sam I’Anson were involved in an incident, with the latter on the floor amid claims he feigned injury. Both players were booked

Welford hit a post in stoppage-time, player-manager Danny Lye went close with a header and I’Anson smothered a close-range effort just before the end.

Welford netted his fourth of the season with a powerful header after 15 minutes before Cook went close to a second on the stroke of half-time, seeing his effort tipped around the post.

United keeper Dan Eason palmed away Danny Smith’s early second-half strike, before Nwitua converted the latter’s corner three minutes later.

United then had a goal disallowed, before having strong appeals for a penalty turned down after claiming handball in the area.

Debutant Ryan Palmer was booked on his debut, along with skipper Michael Phillips.

Eason, Browne, L .Cuthbert, Cook, Lye, Kingwell,Palmer (Yianni 88 mins), Phillips, Welford, Booth, Elliott; Subs not used: Bosio, Woolley, Marsden, Luen.

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