Five-goal haul keeps United clear

UNITED MOVE FOUR POINTS CLEAR WITH COMPREHENSIVE VICTORY

TUN WELLS ASHFORD UNITED Three goals in 27 minutes laid the foundations for Ashford United’s comfortable Southern Counties East League, Premier Division win at Culverden Stadium on Saturday.

The victory moved them four points clear at the top as all their rivals, apart from Hollands & Blair, dropped points.

An early goal from Rory Hill set United on their way before Adrian Stone and Shaun Welford added goals either side of the half-hour to put the visitors firmly in control by half-time.

Ryan Palmer made it 4-0 midway through the second half – his fourth goal in two games – before new recruit Ben Wilson came off the bench to score on his debut, following his dual-registration signing from Hythe Town.

It was United’s eighth away win of the season and their second successive five-goal success on the road, following the win at Fisher last month.

Welford and Palmer had already gone close before Hill put them in front after five minutes. Keeper George Kamurasi’s clearance was nodded on by Welford to Hill who fired past home keeper Steve Lawrence.

United enjoyed plenty of the ball after that with Palmer a constant threat down the right, winning a free-kick that Hill fired just wide from the edge of the area.

Stone made it 2-0 after 28 minutes with his first goal for the club, firing home after Hill’s header was blocked.

United got their third three minutes later, Welford heading home his 23rd goal of the season.

Former United man Jon Pilbeam then had Wells’ first chance of the game, seeing a free-kick hit the woodwork.

Central defenders Ryan James and Pat Kingwell both had shots on goal, before Stone set up Palmer to score the fourth after 66 minutes with a low finish.

Wells’ Tom Bryant then hit the woodwork, before Kamurasi made a good save to deny Pilbeam.

Wilson got the fifth in stoppagetime, scoring after his first shot came back off a post.

Kamurasi, Savage, James, Kingwell, Walker (Wilson 46mins), Palmer, Phillips, Botterill, Hill (Eldridge 70 mins), Stone, Welford, (Miller 46mins). Subs not used: Ince, Lye

357.

Picture: Paul Amos Shaun Welford – netted his 23rd goal of the season

Picture: Paul Amos Rory Hill – scored opener