Feisty battle provokes second-half response

Hockey

Ashford men’s 1sts came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in an eventful Kent/Sussex Regional 1 derby at old rivals Folkestone.

Club officials hailed it as one of the most fiery ever, with five former players in the home side’s line-up.

Two of them, skipper Paul Cheap and Will Spain, both scored as Folkestone led 3-0 at half-time, before Tom Goodwin started and completed the comeback, either side of Ricky Johnson’s goal.

The second half was full of incident and suited Ashford who were on top, pressing high as tempers flared, sparking off the showing of several cards.

Folkestone were down to 10 men when Kiah Bridges found Goodwin who pulled one back with a deflected shot past former Ball Lane keeper Keir Starley.

Johnson got Ashford’s second, scoring from the rebound after Matt Reeve’s shot was saved. The visitors’ momentum then earned them the equaliser as Goodwin claimed his second of the game.

Coach Daran Cass said: “It was competitive and both teams were committed.

“Two of the Folkestone goals were contentious but that’s the way sport goes.

“We changed the formations and tactics at half-time and the passion of the boys got us back into the match.” Reflecting on the season so far, which sees Ashford second from bottom in the table, Cass added: “We are still a developing side, our back four were in the 2nds 18 months ago.

“We have had some tough matches but have now got a run of games against sides around us and hope to pick up points and climb the table.”

Ashford 2nds lost 2-1 to Folkestone, in the corresponding Kent 1 fixture between the clubs at Ball Lane.

The 3rds are still without a point in Kent 2 after a 7-1 defeat at Gore Court.

Kim Cameron was on target as Ashford ladies’ 1sts lost 2-1 at home to Blackheath & Old Elthamians in East League, Division 2 South East.

They led at half-time, Cameron’s deflected effort, going in off a shot by Emma Bains.

A near post finish put Blackheath level before the south London side went in front.

Cameron and Liv Palmer both had good chances to earn Ashford a point.

The ladies’ 2nds lost 3-0 at home to Maidstone in Kent Division 1, while the 3rds went down 2-0 at Burnt Ash 3rds.

Picture: Paul Amos FM4559731 Ashford’s Will Elgar is tracked by former Ball Lane player Paul Cheap during Saturday’s match at Folkestone