Ashford Brave Bracknell 1s

Ashford started by far the stronger team against opposition who finished a whole 19 places higher last season. Our quality of passing and speed of attack shocked our Bracknell rivals as our coach Patrick Fisher watched from the side line. Even without the ball, our press stood firm and an impatient Bracknell defence often resorted to smash balls down the middle (dealt with easily from central men Rob Crackles, David Eastbury and Elliott Symes) or by playing the ball off the pitch.

The Bracknell forwards proved their league superiority with 2 clinical finishes into the bottom corners after out muscling our defence. Ashford however stood strong and continued to dictate play whilst moving the ball around in all areas of the pitch. The pressure kept building as Ashford pushed further and further into the Bracknell half. The Ashford goal drought was ended 134 minutes into our campaign with a perfect pass across the face of the goal from Rob Grant finding his team mate David Eastbury who calmly lifted the ball over a diving keeper. Bracknell responded with a quick goal from push back pushing the different back to 3-1. After a flood of chances and short corners, Matt Emmerton beat the second runner and smashed the ball into Elliott Symes for a near post deflection. At 3-2 the whole of the Ashford side pushed up into their half inviting Bracknell to counter when they had the chance. Some great last ditch defending from the veteran centre back partnership of David Baker and Paul Neyton (Shar) along with a top corner dragflick and one on one saved by goalkeeper and captain Ryan Croxon kept the score at 3-2. Ashford were however unable to capitalise on our chances to bring the teams level despite a massive effort from everyone on the pitch.

The game ended at 3-2 but both coach, captain and players alike are very confident we can continue our great standard of play into our first league game against considerably weaker teams in our league. Stay tuned as Ashford 2s take on Ramgarhia 1s at the lane next week for their first league game.