Back on home turf, Ashford United started strong at Homelands. Most of the action was in the Chartham half, with Ashford pressing as a unit and troubling the Chartham keeper.
At the other end of the pitch, the visitors made a couple of dangerous runs – with George Bull and Will Luke mopping them up quickly with their strong defensive partnership. George Bull troubling the right wing of Chartham in one 1:1 chase and making a brilliant dive on the back line to save the ball from a corner.
Ashford were playing the ball well and dominating the opposition – making a hatful of runs and presses but were unable to get on the scoresheet in the first few minutes. Marco Everett had little to do but stayed alert in goal – picking up every loose ball and demonstrating how much he has improved over the season in distributing the ball.
The first goal came from a penalty given – with Noah Birley stepping up to the plate and placing the ball beautifully in the bottom right-hand corner. A textbook pen.
1-0
It took another few minutes for Ashford to add another to the scoresheet, but in that time, they created some excellent chances through their build-up play. The battles in the midfield from Captain Leo Jackson and Kuzey Bellshaw not allowing Chartham to advance and pushing the ball forward at every opportunity. There was some great co-ordinated attacking play from wingers Zachary Nugent, Lian Panlilio, and Charlie Parsonage and forwards Stanley Chatfield and Noah Birley. The whole team were involved in their passing game and making life hard for Chartham.
The next goal opportunity came from an excellent run along the right wing by Leo Jackson – who performed some fancy footwork and played a lovely ball across the box, to be punted home first time by Stanley Chatfield.
2-0
HT
The Ashford side started the second half in much the same way. Zachary Nugent continued to run the left wing with his pace and got on the score sheet quickly into the second half. Stanley Chatfield making a run through the defence who managed to put Zachary in to drive the ball home.
3-0
Not content with 1, Zachary Nugent added another to his seasons total – set up by a neat ball from Leo Jackson.
The final goal of the day came from a corner ball whipped in by Stanley Chatfield to come off the Chartham defence for an OG. The Ashford side showing good sportsmanship with minimal celebrations.
5-0
Ashford were unlucky not to add more to their total in the second half, with lots of good runs of play, but unable to convert all of their chances.
Kuzey Bellshaw unlucky not to add to his tally with a powerful shot just over the bar, and the same from Lian Panlilio who made a first time shot that was just north of the target. With the 11 a side season coming – shots like these will be added to Ashford’s total for the season for sure.
Charlie Parsonage also adding to the mix with his hassle of the goalkeeper a few times – as well as Gabriel King who came on later in the game, but added quicky to the attack. However, kudos has to go to the Chartham keeper who was kept so busy in the second half but didn’t make it easy for Ashford.
Down the other end, William Parsonage was kept quiet, with only one shot on target from the visitors. However, calm on the ball as ever – William played the ball out from the back a number of times and kept control of the press from the Chartham attack.
With the end of the season approaching – the Ashford side were thrilled with this win. Coaches Paul Bellshaw, Dan Jackson and Charlie Chatfield were delighted with the boys’ performance today. They pushed through to the final whistle, never let off the gas and got the job done.
The team are always grateful to our sponsor Complaint Surface Finishing.
COYNAB
