United defeat old rivals to reach final

Kent County Lge

Riley Alford scored all the goals in Ashford’s 4-0 win at title rivals Rusthall Reserves on Saturday.

Alford has now scored seven goals in his last two games for the Steamers as they moved six points clear of their hosts at the top of the Division 2 Central & East table.

However the victory was far from being a one-man show as the back four, marshalled by defender Kieran Shrimpton, limited Rusthall’s main outlet, striker Franck N’Douga to scraps.

Jordan Griffin set up two of Alford’s goals in the first-half while full-back pairing Riece Annand and Ryan Prior were brilliant at both ends of the pitch.

The first goal came when Alford received the ball from a throw-in, and cleverly turned away from his marker before rifling the ball away from the home keeper.

The second arrived 10 minutes later when Griffin played a diagonal ball to Alford, who set himself on the edge of the area before curling the ball into the bottom corner.

At the other end, teenage keeper Wayne Everest had to be on his toes to gather a couple of half chances, while Shrimpton and centre-back partner Jamie Hurst kept Rusthall target man N’Douga and top scorer Adam James quiet.

Just before half-time the visitors scored a third goal with Alford completing his second successive hat-trick with an outstanding individual effort, turning away from two defenders before slotting the ball underneath the diving keeper.

Ashford brought on fresh legs in the second-half with Tom Wilkes, Bekim Ahmetaj, Matt Forster and George Argar all getting involved in the action. Forster was involved in Ashford’s fourth and final goal when he received the ball from Griffin’s cross before chipping the ball across goal for Alford to back heel over the line. Alford’s four goals helped inflict a first home defeat of the season on Rusthall as Ashford move closer to securing the title. The Steamers only require two more wins to be sure of finishing first and take on yet another title rival this weekend, away at Bearsted Reserves.

Ashford: Everest, Annand, Shrimpton, Hurst,

Prior (Argar 76), Cowell, Haynes (Wilkes 68), S. Ahmetaj (B. Ahmetaj 63), Griffin, Alford, Haylock (Forster 58).

A brace from Warren Smith helped New Romney to a 4-0 win at home to Tudor Sports in the Premier Division. Ray Godden and Tristan Belsey were also on target.

In Division 1 Central & East, Lydd Town Reserves defeated Guru Nanak 3-2.

Jordan King bagged two goals in Tenterden Town’s

3-0 home win against Deal Town Rangers. Ben Lancaster scored the other goal. Ashford United’s under-15 Kent Youth reached the final of Kent County Cup with 2-0 victory at the last four stage over local rivals Kennington.

It was a hotly awaited game as the two sides hadn’t met since Ashford moved to the Kent Youth League Central Division, with Kennington in the South Division.

With the majority of the Kennington squad having been away the previous week, they looked a little leg weary throughout, against a very athletic and determined United outfit.

The first 20 minutes of play were evenly contested. Kennington just had the edge possession-wise but it was the Nuts & Bolts boys who made the more decisive attacking moves with two on target shots, and Kennington keeper Lucas Hanley was forced into excellent saves.

Ashford continued to utilise their speedy wingers going forward and the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. Right-back Rowan Shardlow found space to pass through to George McIroy who then laid the ball wide to a charging Gus Barnes who powered home the opener.

Ashford keeper Matt Lane was only called into action, making a save from a Kennington set piece.

The second half saw Ashford start to have the lion’s share of possession and dictate the pace.

United tested Hanley three more times from open play before they scored a second goal.

Harry Sikiwayi laid the ball through to Ronald Sithole who went past past the keeper and placed the ball with precision.

Ashford skipper Adam Potten said after the match that the team were dedicating their win to manager Martyn Halls who is recovering in hospital after his recent operation.

Ashford now face Ebbsfleet in the final on March 17.

Ashford United under15s’ East Kent Youth League side had a 3-0 win over Park Farm.

The visitors dominated from the whistle with Josh Batt nearly scoring in the first minute, but the scoreline remained scoreless at half-time.

In the second half a good passing move involving Georgie Deadman, Jake Redmond and Gift Okolie ended with Ed Milloy scoring the opening goal.

The home side created a few good opportunities but keeper Ashford keeper Yaxley-Chamberlain made some great saves.

Okolie and Bertie Williams combined for Milloy’s second goal and two minutes from time Milloy completed his hattrick.