Valiant 2s rally to battling draw

With confidence high after a first win of the season against Wycombe, and a sterling performance to boot, the 2s welcomed Witney to fortress Short Lane. After a fairly even opening period, Witney took a contentious lead; the ball lifted into the D to be volleyed in at the back post, with the umpires seemingly satisfied it wasn’t dangerous... much to the amazement of the Ashford defence. The visitors quickly doubled their advantage when a push from a short corner, evaded everyone and trickled in at the far post.

It was time for Ashford to show their resilience and they pushed forward in an effort to get back into the game. Their desire was rewarded as Matt Emmerton forced a short corner and Dave Baker converted with a fierce straight strike. Ashford, sensing blood, put the press on and an interception by David Eastbury and subsequent through ball was deflected with the minutest of touches by poacher extraordinaire Emmerton, finding itself to Andy Sonden. “Shaggy”, to everyone’s admiration/ astonishment, coolly slotted the ball home under the diving keeper to send the 2s into half time with honours even again.

The second half followed a similar pattern, as sloppy defending resulted in a quick free hit just outside the D finding its way to an unmarked opponent who gratefully accepted the opportunity to put the visitors into the lead again. Further calamity shortly ensued, as goal hero of the first half, Baker, turned to villain as he deflected a cross from the right into his own net, leaving keeper Ritchie flailing.

Nevertheless, as sides from the past may have been liable to do, Ashford didn’t let their heads drop and battled back well, driving forward. A series of short corners followed and from one, not to be remembered for the wrong reasons, Baker’s low hard straight strike looped into the air off the defender on the line, and rolled into the net. The fightback was on again…

With 10 minutes left, Ashford had another short corner. Baker slipped to Sam Betts, whose shot hit a post. However, there was no let up for the visiting defence as Paul Neyton picked the ball up on the edge of the D. His ball into the area bounced up off the keeper and, in a strike more akin to a baseball pitch, man of the match Emmerton volleyed in from his typical 1 yard. The comeback was complete.

Despite a dramatic finale, where both teams could have won it and Grant’s customary yellow card for a sliding challenge more suited to the football pitch, the game ended in a 4-4 draw. Witney’s journey home was spent rueing twice letting slip a 2 goal lead and Baker’s celebrating a hatrick - if only they were all at the right end of the pitch….