Kentish Express Ashford & District
Ibrahim delight at double
WITHAM TOWN 0 ASHFORD UNITED 2
Ashford United are through to the next round of the FA Trophy after victory at Witham Town on Tuesday night.
An extra-time brace from substitute Hassan Ibrahim earned United a home tie against fellow Step Four side Barton Rovers in the first qualifying round on Saturday, October 26.
Match-winner Ibrahim says he is delighted to open his account for the campaign.
“I’m buzzing to get off the mark for the season – that’s two of the 10 goals I’ve set myself for this year, so I’m really pleased with that,” he said.
“The game itself, the pitch wasn’t the greatest but I think we played better on Tuesday night than we did during the first game at our place.
“We dominated possession but weren’t probably as clinical in the final-third.
“Witham were very combative, aggressive and didn’t really press because they just tried to keep two banks of four, so it was hard to break them down.”
He continued: “Both my goals were quite identical, both on the edge of the box I found a yard and just put my foot through it, and both of them went in, so again I’m really pleased with that.
“I could have easily had a hat-trick after coming on, but I’m just glad we’re through to the next round.”
After a goalless 90 minutes, both sides were reduced to 10 men before the interval when Danny Walder and Witham’s Daniel Smith were both sent off within seconds of each other.
The first goal didn’t come until 10 minutes into extra-time.
Attacking midfielder Ibrahim finally broke the deadlock between the two sides after firing past keeper Rhys Madden.
The 25-year old then doubled his account for the evening by sealing United the win with eight minutes left to play.