Kentish Express Ashford & District
Top scorer adds three more
Ashford & District Sunday League RECENT LACK OF WINS NOT TITLE CHALLENGING FORM
With another weekend severely affected by the wet weather only three fixtures went ahead, one of these on a 3G pitch.
Folkestone United defeated Hythe Royal British Legion 8-2 at in a Division 1 clash at the Elham Sports Ground.
New signing Dan Arnold had a debut to remember as the Division 1 top goal scorer netted a hat-trick against his former club.
Arnold has now scored 25 goals for both Hythe RBL and his new club this season and hit the ground running in United team colours.
Ryan Lowe added two more for the hosts, while Robbie Westbrook, Charlie Parris and former Shepway Spartans midfielder Armend Morina all got on the scoresheet to seal all three points for United. Hythe RBL remain second from bottom in the table and without a league victory since September and replied through Dan Welsh and Ben Hedges.
Troggs inflicted a first defeat in 16 games on South Willesborough, progressing to the semi-finals of the Peter Pain League Cup with a 3-2 victory on the 3G pitch in Tenterden.
The fixture was switched to the all-weather facility after Troggs’ home ground failed a pitch inspection due to waterlogging, and despite giving up home advantage they managed to end South Willesborough’s incredible run of form to set up a last-four clash with AFC Guildhall.
Alex Philpott grabbed a brace for the Smarden team, while Ben Allen struck a third to see Tim Archer’s side safely through and just 90 minutes away from a cup final. South Willesborough replied through Jordan Horne and Lewis O’Leary and now turn their attention to their Kent Sunday Junior Trophy semifinal against Royal Southwark in two-weeks’ time.
Rhys Hodges and recent signing Kris Melachrino both scored twice as Ashford United 3rds returned from their trip to Smeeth & Brabourne 5-0 winners to go top of Division 3 on goal difference ahead of previous leaders Folkestone United Reserves.
United sealed a fourth consecutive league victory to take over at the top of the standings and recorded a home and away double over a youthful Smeeth side following their 9-1 victory in the reverse fixture last weekend.
Jordan Price added United’s fifth goal as visiting goalie Jon Philo kept his second clean sheet in three outings. Smeeth have enjoyed a decent debut campaign in Division 3 losing just three games so far, two of which have been against United. at half-time all square before adding two more goals in the second half.
Debutant Dale Horton pulled a goal back as Ashford ended the game strongly but they were unable to find an all important fourth goal to claim at a point.
With Ashford’s home ground at With Hamstreet still severely waterlogged the game was switched to the 3G pitch in Tenterden as the Steamers looked to eat into the fixture backlog created by the recent wet weather.
Although the rain stayed away for the duration of the 90 minutes, the wind played havoc with any attempt to play any kind of long ball and Rochester seemed to deal with the conditions better.
Ashford who have now won just one of their previous four league fixtures with the gap between themselves and the top two widening.
The man-of-the-match award went to substitute Emin Yalcin for a gutsy display in midfield.
Ashford: Wallace, Annand, Mabb, Brown (Horton 46), Cowley, B Ahmetaj (Yalcin 49), Honeysett (S Ahmetaj 67), Cowell, Griffin, Shrimpton, O’Leary (Wealthyland 56).