Kentish Express Ashford & District
It all goes wrong for United
GREENWICH B ASHFORD UTD Injuries and a red card for goalkeeper Dan Eason conspired against Ashford United, who gained little reward for a battling display at Princes Park on Saturday.
Ryan Palmer put them in front with his third goal in two games and Paul Booth made it 2-1 in the second half, but a late double completed experienced former Football League campaigner Gary Alexander’s hat-trick to win the game.
United are aiming to win the Southern Counties East League title, having been runners-up twice in the last two seasons, but there is even more pressure on Borough boss Ian Jenkins to do so.
Palmer struck after only five minutes, scoring with a low finish, but the gloss was taken off going in front when Tony Browne limped off. Danny Phillips made it 1-1 13 minutes later when his first shot hit the woodwork, before both sides went close to going in front.
Palmer twice, skipper Mickey Phillips and Shaun Welford all had big chances.
Jamie Bosio, away on European Championship duty with Gibraltar this week, was the next United player to be forced off injured early in the second half.
Booth lifted United’s hopes with a fine finish to restore the visitors’ lead just before the hour, but Eason’s dismissal came soon afterwards for a trip on the lively Mohammed Eisa.
Nick Luen replaced him, his first task being to pick the ball out of his net after Alexander converted the spot-kick.
New-boy Seb Schoburgh and Chris Elliott went close to getting a third for United before Alexander got Borough’s second then completed his treble, set up by United old-boy Stuart Zanone.