Ashford Scorers:
Jamie McFarlane (PC–23mins, FG–68mins)

The first game of the season saw us up against a team that caused us a certain degree of difficulty last season. We travelled in convoy deep into Sevenoaks territory and we were prepared for a physical and challenging match. We were not disappointed. With Mearsy suffering an injury in the warm-up with were slightly disrupted and were force to adjust our line-up and face the prospect of 12 men for the entire 70 minutes.

The first five minutes were somewhat dominated by the purple men, their dominance continued in the seventh minute when Reza received a green card and the opposition were awarded a penalty stroke. The decision was somewhat controversial and met great displeasure which our supporters on the sideline displayed. A valiant attempt by Goalkeeper Dan Appleyard was not quite enough to save the brilliant stroke from the Sevenoaks midfielder.

As expected the Ashford spirit kicked and the restart saw the whole team lift and regain control of the game. We had numerous opportunities to equalise through short corners and field shots but were not able to capitalise any of these chances. Finally, the scores were equalled when Jamie McFarlane scored a goal in the 23rd minute of the first half off yet another penalty corner. Each team had scoring opportunities in the last minutes of the first half but neither team could capitalise. Dan made some fantastic saves in the net and kept the scores level at half time.

Half time provided us with the opportunity to reflect on our strategy, and identify the areas that we needed to shut them down. With the change of tactics and the chance to recuperate we started the second half more confident and determined.

Again we had several scoring opportunities in the second half but their defence proved too difficult to penetrate. Sevenoaks saw little possession in the second half, as our approach of shutting them down in the midfield proved very successful. As you would expect the Ashford boys persisted and defended two short corners in the last five minutes of the half to retaliate with a field goal in the last 90 seconds by Jamie McFarlane off a George Clutton cross in front of the net. Joy almost turned to disappointment when Sevenoaks counter attacked with a strong and determined attack from the restart but the defensive line proved too strong and we walked away narrow victors, but victors all the same.

Player of the Match:
Steve Kessel