2s hit back in style

With last week’s horrendous start to the season behind us, the 2s made the trip to Wycombe. We were met on arrival by a stream of young competitors in an Irish jig contest – would this be a sign of things to come as the locals were to dance rings round us? Was it heck!

With signs the new formation was beginning to work, Ashford repelled Wycombe’s first half onslaught fairly easily, limiting the opposition to a couple of wayward shots and one chance which keeper Ritchie (again, captain anonymous was nowhere to be seen…) did well to keep out. At the other end, however, we didn’t create too much of our own.

Despite the home side slightly edging the opening half, we went into the break feeling there was definitely an opportunity to come away with all 3 points. Hopes which proved well-founded. As Wycombe’s young side became increasingly frustrated, Ashford were able to assert their authority, cutting out wayward passes, doubling up on players and stepping up to limit opposition space, through their well-organised and disciplined shape.

This was rewarded when, around 15 minutes into the second period, a good move down the right resulted in Robbie Grant driving into the area only to be seemingly taken out by the keeper. As everyone appealed for a flick and the home side momentarily stopped, the ball broke to Sam Betts just inside the D, who arrowed a reverse hit beyond the defence’s flailing sticks to put Ashford one up.

More openings followed, though through some good Wycombe keeping and perhaps slight hesitation in front of goal, the score remained at 1-0. A tense finale was set up as Robbie turned from hero to villain when, with just over 10 minutes left and the Wycombe winger seemingly running into a dead end into the corner, he revved up his chainsaw and came in with a horrific scything challenge which earned the hot-headed maverick deserved time in the bin. However his teammates stood firm and, but for one flash across goal, which Dave Baker did well to flick off his pads close to the goal line, saw out the remaining minutes with little incident.

A first win on the board, with a clean sheet to boot, and lots of positives to take into the rest of the season.