Ossai strike a winner

SITTINGBOURNE 0 ASHFORD UNITED 1

Ashford United made it eight wins from their last nine in the league, as a hard-fought victory at Sittingbourne moved the team just four points off the top of Isthmian South East.

Tariq Ossai’s stunning strike less than 10 minutes into the game proved the winner.

Manager Tommy Warrilow says the victory was a significant one.

“We were nowhere near it during the first-half, and that’s one thing we have to try and improve is our first-half performances,” he said.

“In the second-half, we upped the tempo and got into some good areas and perhaps should have come away with another goal.

“But Sittingbourne are a good side.

“They drew at home to Whitehawk, so for us the result was a massive three points.”

Sittingbourne looked more than a match early on despite being 12 places below United in the table.

However, it was Ashford who broke the deadlock on eight minutes, when 20-year-old Ossai netted his first goal for the club since arriving from Chippenham Town less than two months ago.

The former Crystal Palace development youngster, now a regular in Warrilow’s line-up due to midfielder Josh Wisson’s absence from the side through injury, dribbled his way into some space before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.

With the game continuing to remain a tight affair, both sides failed to create any decent opportunities throughout the remainder of the half – Brickies midfielder Tommie Fagg the standout performer during a scrappy 45 minutes.

Warrilow’s men emerged with more intensity after the interval.

Yet despite Jay May coming close to doubling the scoreline, it was again the hosts who looked most likely to get the game’s next goal for the majority of the half.

Ashford keeper Sam Mott, arguably the side’s man-of-thematch on the night, came to the rescue with some excellent stops including a point-blank save midway through the half, as he helped United ultimately hold on for a crucial victory.

Ashford United: Mott, Osinfolarin, Kamara, Bourne, McIntyre, Prescott, Ossai, O’Connor, Condon, May, Smith. Substitutes: Wilson, Russo, Stone. Attendance: 166

Picture: Paul Amos Jay May heads in Ashford’s first goal against East Grinstead on Saturday