Kentish Express Ashford & District
ASHFORD UNITED 2 SEVENOAKS 1: MAY’S DOUBLE SECURES WELCOME CUP VICTORY
Ashford United are through to the second round of the Kent Senior Trophy after beating Sevenoaks Town at Homelands on Tuesday, writes Joe Harbert.
A brace from striker Jay May was enough to get United their first win in four games and give the team a much needed boost ahead of Saturday’s Isthmian South East visit to Chichester.
Man-of-the-match May believes the result can prove a springboard for fixtures to come.
“After the defeats we’ve had recently, it was nice to get back to winning ways,” May said.
“I thought our energy levels, our performance and moving the ball around quicker was better.
“Obviously the FA Cup and FA Trophy are probably the main two cups at this level, but everyone loves a good cup run so we’ll do the best we can in it and it’s good to give lads minutes and keep everyone ticking over.”
After an agonising defeat to Barton
Rovers on Saturday, United put in a much-improved display this time out, and looked the far better unit compared to their top-of-the-table opponents in the league.
Although both sides had chances to get the opener in the first-half, United started the second 45 minutes strongly, and some great passing led to midfielder Hassan Ibrahim finding space down the left-hand side four minutes after the interval.
The 25-year old then delivered a terrific ball to find May who duly nodded in his first of the evening inside the penalty box. The Nuts & Bolts number nine then got his second of the night and fifth of the campaign seven minutes later when another superb cross, this time by Jake McIntyre, found the centre forward in space and he tapped in to double United’s lead. Despite a sensational goal by opposition striker Ainsley Everett with five minutes left to play, the home side held on for a much needed victory. Ashford: Mott, Aboagye, Kamara, McIntyre, Lake, Wisson,
Prescott, Ibrahim, Condon, May, Smith. Subs: Osinfolarin, Binder.