Kent County League

Two goals each from Matt Forster and Riley Alford helped Ashford progress to the second round of the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield as they returned from south London with a 5-0 win against AFC Mottingham. Right-back Zac Cowley marked his first start by also getting on the scoresheet to wrap up the victory against their Division 1 West opponents.

Ashford handed out debuts to three midweek signings including keeper Louis Burton who came in to replace the unavailable Wayne Everest.

Richard Banda and Olinto Santo were both introduced from the bench in the second half while there was also return for defender Jamie Hurst who has re-joined from SCEFL side Bearsted.

Ashford opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Alford played in Forster who cut inside his marker and fired home.

The second goal came on the half hour mark as a result of an excellent team move, starting from Burton’s quickly taken goal kick to Cowley. Bekim Ahmetaj played in a cross for Alford to head home. Ashford increased their lead in the 49th minute when Alford’s diagonal pass was controlled well by man-of-the-match Forster before he finished well.

Keeper Burton was called into action midway through the half. Home forward Pawer Passoa turned on the edge of the area before firing in a powerful effort that Burton saved one handed. Ashford made sure of the win by adding two more goals in quick succession. Riece Annand took his time to bring the ball under control before delivering a cross which found the run of Cowley. The defender met the ball, heading it across the goal into the corner of the net to make it 4-0.

Two minutes later Alford scored his second and Ashford’s fifth to complete the scoring, creating and finishing off himself showing strength to shrug off two Mottingham defenders.

Ashford: Burton, Cowley, Shrimpton, Hurst, Argar (Annand 62), S Ahmetaj, Cowell, B Ahmetaj (Banda 62), Griffin (Santo 56), Alford, Forster (Wealthyland 56).