ASHFORD THROUGH TO LAST EIGHT

Ashford United are through to the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup after a comfortable 3-1 victory against VCD Athletic at Homelands on Tuesday night, writes Joe Harbert.

Goals from Lee Prescott, Jerald Aboagye and Aaron Condon gave the Nuts & Bolts a much-needed victory ahead of Saturday’s match against top-ofthe-table Hastings in Isthmian South East.

The hosts were given an early boost in the tie when Athletic midfielder Jack Steventon was given a straight red card for a foul on David Smith after just seven minutes.

Yet despite being a man down, the travelling side took the lead midway through the first-half when Henry Ikeije turned brilliantly on the edge of the penalty box and fired past United keeper Lee Hook.

However, the hosts equalised just five minutes later when good play down the right allowed Prescott to net at the keeper’s near post.

The hosts then completed a terrific first-half comeback on 40 minutes when defender Aboagye, playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, tapped home inside the area.

They then made sure of the win when Condon grabbed his fourth goal in his last five games with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Tashi-Jay Kwayie drove down the left before delivering an inch-perfect cross that allowed the former Aveley forward to convert into an empty net.

Skipper Sam Mott was impressed with United’s performance following backto-back league defeats against Guernsey and Haywards Heath.

He said: “I thought we did really well. We obviously made a few changes but still kept the tempo going.

“It’s always hard when you play against 10 men for that length of time and teams often play better when that happens.

“But obviously we’ve lost the last couple of games, so tonight was all about getting back to winning ways.”

United, who this week signed former Crystal Palace development defender Tariq Ossai and also saw midfielder Danny Walder depart for Hythe, could face the likes of Dover and Gillingham when the draw for is made in January.

Ashford: Hook, Osinfolarin, Kamara, McIntyre, Aboagye, Wisson, Prescott, Ossai, Condon, Smith, Gold. Subs: Kwayie, Binder Attendance: 68