Mens 1st XI Continue run against Maidenhead

Coming off their 14-0 win last week against Staines, Ashford Men’s 1st XI were looking to continue their winning run at home against the much tougher proposition of Maidenhead, who will be one of the Red & Blacks main promotion rivals.

The Visitors started the stronger of the two sides, stretching out Ashford and creating large spaces for their midfield and forwards to work in, which lead to the first short corner of the match for Maidenhead. Goalkeeper Adam Smith was on hand to deny the visiting side an early breakthrough, and after this Ashford settled down and started dictating play. After a number of decent chances, Ashford though they had the lead when Andrew Whiting latched on to stray ball at the top of the D, but Maidenhead’s goalkeeper managed to deflect the ball onto the crossbar at the last second.

Although the home side had most of the play and chances, the game was goalless at half time. Ashford came out in the second half determined to press their opposition and get an early breakthrough, and it almost came when the hosts were awarded their first short corner, but again the visitors keeper made another smart save to the Red & Blacks. Ashford finally got their break through half way through the 2nd half through Andrew Whiting, who latched onto a piercing through ball by Right-back Adam Dunbavand, then beat one player and smashed the ball into the far corner on his reverse side. Ashford had chances to double their lead, but just couldn’t find the finish to kill off their opponents. With Maidenhead pressing high up the pitch, Ashford were able to use it to their advantage and got a short corner from a quick counter attack a few minutes from time. This time Shujah Ur Rehman was able to fire the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner, to seal the win for the jubilant Ashford side.

Ashford now face a trip away to league leaders Eastcote, who have won all of their 4 games so far.