Kentish Express Ashford & District
United undone by late goal drama
ASHFORD’S WINLESS RUN CONTINUES AS HOSTS HIT LAST-MINUTE WINNER
CRAY VALLEY pm ASHFORD UTD Cray Valley’s last-minute winner stretched Ashford’s winless run in league and cup to seven matches on Saturday.
After a delayed 15-minute start due to traffic problems in the Eltham area, the home side took the lead through a 13th-minute strike from Alwayne Jones.
Jim Doherty missed a great chance soon after to make it 2-0 and Ashford then struck back on 25 minutes when Stuart Zanone beat a couple of defenders before firing home.
The game now developed into a pulsating contest, with both sides creating chances and it was Zanone who struck again six minutes before the break following a mistake by home keeper Stevie Simms.
In trying to clear, Simms could only drill the ball into Zanone’s body and the striker reacted quickly to lob home his ninth goal in 12 matches since joining United in September.
It meant Paul Chambers’ side went in at half-time with hopes of ending their recent poor run but within three minutes of the restart, the hosts levelled when Alex Chambers headed home from 12 yards as United were again caught square at the back.
Adam Cuthbert went close to restoring Ashford’s lead with a free-kick but it was Cray Valley who were creating the better chances and Joe Mant pulled off four great saves in the closing stages to keep United on level terms.
However, in the second minute of injury time, the United keeper looked to be impeded as he tried to catch a corner but there was no whistle from the referee and Ronnie Vint snatched the home side’s winner with virtually the last kick of the game.