With Winchester coming off the back of a strong season last year to gain promotion without losing a game and Ashford suffering the loss of some key personnel, the game was set up to be a tough and thrilling encounter. The game started with a flurry of short corners at both ends with neither side able to put the finishing touches on positive play. It took a lapse in composure in an inexperienced defensive line to create the breakthrough, Winchester capitalising on a turnover ball to calmly finish past a helpless keeper.
Ashford responded well with Carl Meadows making some impressive runs down the left flank and a period of good play from the away side was rewarded when young Billy Bassett played a ball into the D, an attacker getting to the ball before the Winchester keeper and in the end leaving the Man of the Match Joe Lewis with the simplest of tap-ins. Unfortunately for Ashford they weren’t level for long as Winchester capitalised on another turnover ball to score their second. It then took an impressive save from the Ashford keeper Dan Appleyard to keep the red and blacks in the game, his cat like reflexes and uncanny agility awing the crowd.
In the second half there were chances again for both sides but this time it was Winchester who were lucky to still be in the game - a jinking run from a young James Maitland, beating 3 players on his way from the halfway line was followed by an effort that had the keeper beaten only to hit the inside of the post and avoid the other Ashford forward on the rebound. Positive pressure again from Ashford created another clear cut opportunity with Maitland narrowly missing the left post with a strike from the top of the D. Unfortunately time ran out for Ashford and Winchester clung on for the win, a result that is perhaps harsh on the losing side and sets up an interesting return clash.
Man of the match
Joe Lewis
Goalscorers
Joe Lewis
