Kentish Express Ashford & District
Defeat as Saxons bring down axe
Ashford’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end in Kent/Sussex Regional 2 on Saturday.
Looking to build on their positive performance against Canterbury the previous week, they went down 4-2 at South Saxons.
Ashford started brightly, an early interchange between Ben Dawson and Rob Playford saw the latter’s ball flash across the face of goal.
The Saxons front line were full of running and tested the A’s defence early on but Ben Davis and captain James Chamberlain coped well under pressure.
The opener came on 10 minutes when Chamberlain’s foul gave the hosts a short corner, the drag flick beating Rob Allen low to his right.
Chances fell to Lewis Elgar and Robin Miller and Ashford equalised before half-time after some good work from Playford, Matt Reeve scooping the ball over a floundering keeper.
Ashford again created chances in the second half but another short corner gave Saxons the lead.
Ashford drew level with 10 minutes left through Sam Handley’s skilful finish.
However, two more short corners were both converted by the hosts to seal their win.
Kev Miller got the only goal but a calf injury cut short his afternoon as the 2nds remained unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Gore Court.
It needed a penalty save by Ashford keeper Paul Curnow five minutes from time to seal the win.
Injuries disrupted the 3rds who, having trailed 5-0 at the break, went down 10-1 against second-placed Herne Bay in Kent Open Premier A, Roger Lightfoot scoring their consolation.
Ashford ladies climbed above secondplaced Sevenoaks 3rds after their 1-0 win in East League Division 2 South East.
Player-of-the-match Emily Brightling kept the Oaks forward line at bay in a goalless first half.
Ashford started the second half positively and kept possession well. They nearly went ahead when a short corner was deflected just wide of the post.
They were rewarded shortly after when Kate Tilby wasted no time from the long corner, a wonderful pass setting up Kim Cameron to deflect the ball home.
Ashford showed their defensive resolve to defend consecutive short corners, Sophie Hunt taking two hard flicks to the body.
The 2nds were unlucky not to take maximum points after a 2-2 draw with Gillingham Anchorians.
They trailed 2-0 before Taylor Wise pulled one back at the back post and Ashford then missed a penalty stroke after the break.
Several other attempts were kept out before Ashford drew level when Sarah Andrews converted a penalty stroke.
Ashford 3rds went ahead inside two minutes thanks to a superb diagonal shot by Linda Charlton against Old Williamsonians.
Great attacking runs by Lucy Grayson and Tess Palmer kept them on the front foot but Old Wills levelled with 15 minutes left.
Midfielders Kersten Wolgast and Kate Horton showed a good partnership in both defence and attack.