Ashford Scorers:
Elliot Smith, Dan Williams, Ryan Holland
Ashford stormed to second in the table (ok we’re not top anymore on goals scored) with this relatively comfortable victory over West Hampstead.
Historically we always have keenly contested competitive games against WH and this was no exception but we were more incisive upfront…WH on the other hand were mediocre in the final third and failed to cause us too many problems. As usual we didn’t settle that well and Ant Appleyard saved a sleepy defence with a reaction save to keep the scores level.
With The Arse up in the 3’s, we had a tailor made replacement in Fat Dan and he led the line well and looked after the sprogs upfront. He did a little jig down the backline, pulled it back (and the ball) and the Podgemeister, Elliot Smith, made no mistake from a yard (unlike later on). The keeper was not happy as he felt Dan had gone over the backline, he was even less happy with the second. He saved a shot and fell over and as it came out to Fat Dan, Rosie (7 stone dripping wet) apparently held him down with his foot…as he is a burly 6 foot plus lad it was hard to believe, Anyway Dan stroked it home and the keepers complaints were waved away by our umpiring dominatrix, Tracey Holland.
Second half we were workmanlike and they didn’t pass particularly well which made things a bit nervy but a poor clearance straight to Rhino Holland set up the moment of the game. The pint-sized striker scooted into the D and launched it into the corner of the roof of the net past the startled keeper, who must have thought he was being picked on. There were 40 or so people watching - there was a pregnant pause before everyone started clapping and cheering, great to see and hear!
WH did get a goal back near the end but the result was never in danger, Seconds before the end, Dan set up Elliot in front of goal, 5 yards out, goalkeeper stranded…he managed to fall over and screw the ball wide to gasps from the vociferous and knowledgeable crowd…. had he scored we would be top. You will be glad to hear I only pointed this out to him twice and only grounded him for a week.
This week sees us play the team that have ousted us, so expect one or all of tears, jeers, cheers and beers next week.
