Substitute Alford adds extra goal power

Superfives

Three matches in the Ashford Five-a side League produced 12 goals.

Tom Wilmhurst hit three to add to singles from Asa McKenzie and Dan Missons as McDonald’s defeated FC Sparta 5-0.

Bobby Godden also bagged a hattrick, for The New Locomotive - 3-0 winners against Wye Muga. A double from Michael Crook helped Ashford Spartans to a 3-1 win against FCS. Simon Lockerby was also on target, with Jon Hunt scoring for FCS. An improved second-half performance saw Ashford FC through to the quarter-finals of the Canterbury

Senior Charity Cup as the hosts survived a scare to see off Chilham 5-3. The Canterbury League side recovered from going behind to an early goal from Ashford’s Matt Forster to lead

2-1 just after the half hour mark only for Shqipron Ahmetaj to ensure the Steamers went in at half-time all square. A flurry of substitutions and superior fitness levels saw Ashford score three times in the second half only for Chilham to mark a brave effort with a late goal.

Ashford rotated their squad by making five changes to their starting XI, with recent signing Teddy Deverson coming off the bench in the second half following his move from Lydd Town.

The hosts took an early lead after eight minutes, Sam Williams bundling the ball over the line. Chilham got straight back into the game with an equaliser and after a series of missed opportunities by Ashford, the visitors made it 2-1 from a free-kick.

Ashford had the perfect chance to level things up three minutes before half-time but Jamie Hurst saw his penalty saved.

The second Ashford goal did come 60 seconds later though, Ahmetaj drilling the ball home from 25 yards. In the second half, goals from substitute Riley Alford (2) and

Stephen Cowell (penalty) put Ashford 5-2 ahead. Chilham pulled a goal back late on when Ashford failed to deal with a deep cross.

Lee James’ side progress to the lasteight of the competition where they face fellow Kent County League side Burgess Hodgson next month.

Team: Burton, Argar (Annand 68), Shrimpton, Smith (Deverson

61), Hurst, S Ahmetaj, Gower (B Ahmetaj 65), Cowell, Wealthyland, Forster (Alford 54), Santo (Griffin 54).