Kentish Express Ashford & District
Purple patch continues
ASHFORD UNITED 4 SEVENOAKS 1 Duo’s World Cup call-up
Ashford United demonstrated their title credentials once again with another formidable display at Homelands on Saturday.
Dominant from the outset, United never looked like halting their now six-game winning streak in Isthmian South East, as three first-half goals ultimately did the damage for Tommy Warrilow’s side.
The United boss said he was thrilled with his team’s display, especially against another of the squad’s play-off rivals.
He said: “During the first-half they had a couple of chances when it was a little bit end-toend, and we could have grabbed one before they scored and at other points in the game.
“But overall it was another good result and a really good performance, especially against a side that are in and around us as well.”
United opened the scoring 25 minutes into the match when, just seconds after Town keeper Patrick Lee brilliantly saved a Jay May header, the Ashford centre-forward duly nodded home at the second attempt from the resulting corner.
The hosts then quickly doubled their advantage just two minutes later, again from a set-piece.
Defender Jake McIntyre delivered a deep free-kick into the penalty box that gave Josh Wisson the chance to flick home his fourth goal of the season from close range.
Despite being second best for much of the half, the visitors did manage to halve the deficit nine minutes before the break.
With United caught out on the counter-attack, Sevenoaks’ Frankie Sawyer found himself in behind the Homelands outfit’s back four and he beautifully lobbed the ball over Sam Mott from the edge of the area to make it 2-1.
However, looking to restore their two-goal lead, Ashford ended any decent hope of a Town comeback on the stroke of half-time – David Smith nodding home his 20th goal of the season in all competitions following a flick on from May in the box.
With both sides having halfchances to add to the scoreline, United got their fourth goal of the game in beautiful fashion with 15 minutes left to go.
Some great build-up play involving all of the hosts’ frontline allowed May to pick out the run of Aaron Condon, who drilled home at the far post to wrap up another Nuts & Bolts three points.
Ashford: Mott, Aboagye, Kamara, Bourne, McIntyre, Wisson, Prescott, O’Connor, Condon, Smith, May. Subs: Ossai, Osinfolarin, Wilson. Attendance: 312.
Kent duo Tammy Beaumont and Fran Wilson have been selected in England’s 15-strong squad for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
Dover-born Kent captain Beaumont, an opener, and middle-order batsman Wilson will hope to help England win the event for the first time since 2009.
The squad shows one change from the one which won the recent series against Pakistan.
“It’s really exciting to name our squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and we’re looking forward to getting out there and getting under way,” said England head coach Lisa Keightley who is preparing for her first tournament in charge.
“It was very useful to join the group in Malaysia (where England played Pakistan) and watch how they were getting on and, since then, we’ve had a training block out in La Manga.
“There are few better feelings in cricket than representing your country in a World
Cup and I know everyone’s really looking forward to the challenge.”
Prior to the T20 World Cup, England’s new era will start with a tri-series against tournament hosts Australia and India.
The games will be played in Canberra and Melbourne. England’s World Cup campaign gets under way against South Africa on February 23, with the tournament set to run over February and March.