New striker quick off mark

Ashford United

New-boy Tyrell RichardsonBrown was among the scorers in Ashford United’s 3-2 pre-season friendly win over Margate at Homelands on Tuesday night.

The striker, signed from Bostik Premier Burgess Hill, got the second – with Dan Stubbs and Matt Day getting the others – as United came from behind to win

Gate led four minutes after the break before Richardson-Brown made it 1-1 just before the hour, tapping in from close range, following a corner.

Stubbs added the second with a spectacular 20-yard strike, before Day finished well to make it 3-1 with 21 minutes left.

United boss Danny Lye said: “It was all about fitness but we scored some great goals.

“It was nice to see Tyrell get off the mark, Stubbsy scored an absolute screamer and Matt’s was a peach of a goal.”

He added: “It was a good competitive game. We mixed things up and involved several of our new under-21s as well.

“Tom Draper and Charlie Sharpe were both outstanding, with Harry Lavender and Brandon Williams also involved.” Having had seven centre-halves available in the 3-0 win against Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, Lye struggled to name one against Margate.

Pat Kingwell was rested with a sore heel, trialist Ollie Perkins had a thigh problem, Richard Avery was unavailable due to work commitments, while Tom Michelson’s return to the club looks in doubt, with Lye unable to contact him.

Meanwhile, Shaun Welford wasted no time in getting among the goals, scoring twice against Wells. All the goals came in an eight-minute spell in the second half.

Rory Hill put United in front soon after the restart, before club record goalscorer Welford doubled the lead from the penalty spot soon after and then got his second with a looping finish.

United will field a young side at County League side Kings Hill on Saturday (3pm), with Maidstone United due at Homelands next Tuesday (7.45pm).

The Bostik League 2017-18 fixtures are due to be published at 10am today (Thursday).