Welford nets another treble

Shaun Welford claimed his fourth hat-trick of the season to move three short of breaking the club’s goalscoring record.

The striker/assistant boss moved to 45 for the season, just two behind Stuart Zanone’s 47-goal mark set two seasons ago.

He and United profited from the absence of suspended goalkeeper Francis Ameyaw, sent off at Deal a fortnight earlier.

The home side chose to plug the gap by putting 33-goal top scorer Jeff DuahKessie between the posts.

Former Ashford Town boss John Cumberbatch made the decision, despite Duah-Kessie hitting five in the Easter Monday win over Division 1 bound Erith & Belvedere.

Croydon clearly missed his threat up front in what United watchers claimed was the most one-sided game they have seen since following the re-formed club.

Welford fired over with only 18 seconds gone and Adrian Stone spurned another chance before Duah-Kessie showed his prowess with the gloves, stopping Jason Goodchild’s effort and then pulling off a fine diving save to keep out Stuart West’s

Picture: Alan Coomes Ashford keeper George Kamurasi leads the applause for United’s travelling supporters at Croydon on Saturday

Picture: Alan Coomes Ashford captain Stuart West heads home the second goal at Croydon during United’s 4-0 win on Saturday