Skipper sets example

Ashford men’s 1sts made it three wins out of three in SE Division 1 East.

Visiting Blackheath & Elthamians 2nds kept the hosts at bay for the first half and remained a tough nut to crack until 15 minutes from time.

Captain Richard Johnston made the breakthrough, with a reverse shot to the bottom corner, and Frankie Andrews delivered a shot on target for the skipper to sweep in and double the lead soon afterwards.

Midfielder Will Elgar made it 3-0 with a screamer into the top right-hand corner. Ashford Crusaders sit in second place on goal difference in SE Division 7 Invicta after a 3-1 win over Holcombe Harriers.

Ashford went ahead through Andy Pitt, but Holcombe posed a threat on the break before John Browning doubled the lead.

The second half was more evenly contested, with Holcs pressing the Ashford defence effectively, forcing Matt Elsey into some good saves. However Pitt nudged the ball over the line from a goalside scramble to make it 3-0, before Holcombe grabbed a consolation.

Ashford ladies’ 1sts took on Blackheath 2nds in SE Division 1 East and took the lead following a reversehit across the goal and a deflection past the keeper by Amy Thomas.

Having held off the opposition’s attempt to hit back, Ashford secured an attacking short corner which was beautifully flicked over the keeper’s by Kim Cameron. Ashford continued to dominate in the second half and claimed a third goal when Amelia Wright set up Thomas at the penalty spot for her second goal of the game. A lapse in concentration from Ashford led to Blackheath scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes, but the home side held on to win 3-2, with Wright taking the player-ofthe-match award.

Ashford ladies’ 3rds maintained their unbeaten run in SE Division 3 Invicta at Herne Bay 2nds’ expense.

In a closely-fought game, Ashford’s first goal came from Linda Charlton who, making the most of an error by the Bay defence, found space in the D to slot the ball into the bottom left corner. Bay pressed hard in an attempt to equalise, but numerous interceptions by Kirstie Rogers and Ashford’s defence kept the opposition at arm’s length and it was 2-0 when Ellie Jones worked her magic in midfield, retaining possession and creating an opportunity for Amelia Jacobs to score. Player-of-the-match Alice Goodman made some spectacular saves from open play and short corners as Bay remained on the front foot in the second half.

But Ashford soon created their next opportunity, winning a short corner, and after a flurry of strikes and saves Bronwyn Hall managed to drive an air-bound ball into the back of the net.