Kentish Express Ashford & District
Welford wraps up win by half-time
Shaun Welford grabbed a 22-minute, first-half hat-trick to book Ashford United’s place in the quarter-finals of the Macron Southern Counties East League Cup at Homelands on Tuesday night.
It was top scorer Welford’s second treble of the season, making it 11 goals in his last eight games since returning from a three-match ban. He now has 26 for the season.
Pat Kingwell put United ahead after only three minutes before Welford took centre stage to end the game as a contest by half-time.
Boss Danny Lye described the game – United’s first for more than a fortnight since the 1-0 defeat at Sheppey on Boxing Day – as a perfect warm-up. CANTERBURY ASHFORD
He said: “First half we were unstoppable and they couldn’t live with us.
“We changed things around and went 3-5-2 and it worked well. I thought we would have been rusty but hit the ground running.
“Shaun couldn’t score against Sheppey but the chances he put away here were far harder than there.
“Luke Eldridge played up alongside him and had a good game, setting up all three.”
New boy Jason Goodchild marked his debut with a booking as United extended their unbeaten record against City to nine games since rivalries were renewed three seasons ago.
Kingwell netted his second of the season, before Welford doubled the lead from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Goalkeeper George Kamurasi saved well from City’s Danny Lawrence, before Welford made it 3-0, beating visiting keeper Shannon Harris with a looping effort.
Eldridge was involved again for his third to put United firmly in control. City pulled one back through Matt Martin, four minutes after the restart, but poor finishing let them down.
Lye changed things around after half-time sending on Tom Fagg – his first action since recovering from a broken wrist – with under-18 youngsters Matt Kirby and Clark Woodcock also getting a run-out.
Kamurasi, Walker, Wilson (Kirby 66mins), Botterill, James, Kingwell, Goodchild, Davisson, Welford (Woodcock 68mins), Eldridge, Hill. Subs not used: Ince, Howland. 167
‘First half we were unstoppable and they couldn’t live with us’’