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Reserves
Saturday 6th March 2010
Div 1 League
Thamesmead 0
Ashford Reserves 2
Ashford beat promotion chasing Thamesmead, with goals from Mabb and Morley, This website has got post match analysis & thoughts from Lee Ealham Reserve Team Manager.
Int is the interviewer
LE is Lee Ealham
Int: You didn't look too happy, Lee, after Thursday's defeat to Deal town
LE: Before Thursday's game we had gone 6 games unbeaten and we were beaten by a combined Dover and Deal Academy side, that basically bullied us out of the game, I want our boys to be stronger than that, and I told them so.
Int: So your immediate thoughts about today's game?
LE: Today we played with belief and as a team. We were playing Thamesmead at their best, They are very fast and flowing with their football, we matched them, ball for ball, and at 0-0 at half time I was very pleased. At half time I said to the boys that if we played with the belief and team effort that we played with in the first half, we would go on to win this match.
Int: What happened in the second half?
LE: Every player on the pitch played at their best and some gave their best performance this season, even the veteran in goal was included in this statement, we competed for everything, and with Thamesmead's speed, agility and skill levels we matched them, and went on to beat them, I had to substitute Ben Jordan and put Paul Mabb on, he immediately gelled with the rest of the team, and indeed the first goal was an inch perfect cross from Paul Mabb that was smashed in on the volley by Ben Morley. I would say we bossed the game from 50 to 90 minutes, the second goal that we scored was a teasing cross from Tom Scorer and again it was Paul Mabb that vollied the ball into the roof of the net.
Int: Was there anybody in the Thamesmead team that you could single out?
LE: Their 'keeper was absolutely outstanding, and he made three world-class saves, and I mean world-class, to deny us at least a 0-5 result.
Int: What do you think the key to the match was?
LE: At half time I issued the boys with tactics that were put into action on the field in the second half and this pleased me immensley
Int: Would you single out a man of the match?
LE: I would not want to pick out any one player as all of the team worked for each other and themselves and I would say instead of a man of the match that Ashford Town reserves were the team of the match
Int: thank you very much Lee for those very frank replies and I am sure that all bodes well for the future
LE: It was a pleasure to see and be involved in such an entertaining, skillfull game.
Once again, thanks to Lee for the interview.
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Thursday 4 March 2010
Floodlight Trophy
By John Pease
Ashford Reserves 2
Deal Reserves 3
Two tigers were walking through the jungle. One looked at the other and said “I've got a funny feeling today's Thursday”. No, I don't get it either but there is something a bit left field about watching a game this late in the week.
Tonight's opponents promised a tough match as they comprised Deal reserves and academy players plus a few Dover academy lads playing under duel registration. As the two teams took to the field the home keeper posed a problem. Was it Brad Friedel or maybe Tim Howard? It was, in fact, manager Lee Ealham standing in again for keeper Roddy Hayward sidelined with badly bruised kidneys. Deal were resplendent in their unique outfit of black and white hoops with black shorts. Lee looked like he was wearing a black leotard but I will not pursue this line of enquiry for health and safety reasons (mine). For the first ten minutes certain Deal players announced their presence with some crude tackles no doubt to test the mettle of the home team and referee alike. The Ashford lads passed with flying colours but the referee, who was to have a decent enough game, showed his lack of experience (he looked about thirteen) by not stamping his authority via at least one yellow card. During this opening period Ashford came closest to scoring when Ben Morley was robbed by a good saving tackle and Adam Upton rather snatched at a chance and shot over the bar. With 12 minutes on the clock Lee Ealham made a very good save from what looked like a defensive mis-kick. Ashford were beginning to look the better side and visiting keeper Jordan Wing made a good save from Sam Conlon on the half hour mark and sixty seconds later Ben Morley went close. Then, somewhat against the run of play, Deal were awarded a penalty when Dan Morrison brought down a Deal player who had beaten the home off side trap. Dan received a yellow card and the resulting kick gave Lee no chance. This happened in the 34 minute but Ashford equalised in the 39. A good through ball found ADAM UPTON and he fired home from just inside the Deal box. Ashford finished the half strongly with Ben Morley again just missing the target. Deal started the second half at pace and Lee was forced into a good save and then Stuart Taylor made a good goal line clearance. Ashford took the lead in the 49 minute. A goalmouth scramble saw keeper Wing make two good saves but the ball was not cleared and BEN MORLEY scored with a superb overhead shot. Shortly afterwards an injured Charlie Partridge was replaced by Paul Mabb. With an hour played Deal suddenly upped their game and were unlucky not to score with a shot that cannoned off Lee's left hand post. Five minutes later Ben Morley broke clear of the Deal back four but his chip over the keeper went wide. Deal equalised on 71 minutes when a good move down the their left flank produced a good cross which was finished off in style. The winning goal came 5 minutes later when a hard low cross into the Ashford area was missed by a defender and the ball appeared to cannon off a Deal player into the net. Deal stayed in command for the remaining time but, over the full ninety minutes, Ashford probably deserved at least a point.
I must apologise to the Deal team for not identifying their players but pale red number on the black and white background was not easy to read. In addition, I was watching from the upstairs bar peering through dirt windows. Dave Thurston said he was sorry but he had lost the phone number of the window cleaner (George Formby?)
The Ashford team was as follows::- Lee Ealham, Stuart Taylor, Dan Morrison, Dan Shearing, Ben Jordan, Adam Upton, Dan Scorer, Tom Scorer, Charlie Partridge (Paul Mabb – 55 mins), Ben Morley, Sam Conlon (Hayden Clottey – 75 mins). Subs not used = Andy Morris, Lewis Prior, Gary Penfold.
M.O.M.? DAN SHEARING. Surely destined for a first team place next season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wednesday 17 February 2010
Kent League Div. 1.
By John Pease
ASHFORD Reserves 4
MAIDSTONE Reserves 1
With the Ashford first team having no mid-week fixture, last night gave the supporters a chance to watch the reserve team in action. The result may indicate a comfortable victory but this was, by popular agreement, a very strange match producing an unexpected conclusion.The Ashford team took to the field with an eleven containing a mixture of known and unknown faces and containing a couple of lads that had seen first team experience. The first half was a fairly quiet affair with chances few and far between. Dan Scorer fired over the bar after 12 minutes and home keeper Roddy Haywood made a fine save from Sean Johnson on the quarter hour mark. A minute later Maidstone hit the post following a good move and went close again almost at once. For the remainder of the half Maidstone looked the better team playing some neat football whilst the Ashford lads were relying too much on route one attacks. So half time arrived with the game scoreless.Three minutes into the second half Maidstone hit the post again but within sixty seconds Ben Marley spun away from a Stone's defender but scuffed his shot wide. It was no real surprise when Maidstone opened the scoring in the 52 minute. A frantic goalmouth scramble ensured, following a corner, with the ball pinging about for what seemed like ages before finishing up in the Ashford net. At this stage the score fairly reflected the game. On 55 minutes the Stone's keeper, Adam Harris, made a good save from Ben Marley and five minutes later Tom Scorer fired just wide following good work by Dan Shearing. Maidtstone looked comfortably in control and it seemed merely a matter of time before they increased their lead. However, the match was turned on it's head in the 70 minute. Ashford attacked down the left flank with Sam Conlon passing to Ben Marley. He switched the ball inside to ADAM UPTON who put Ashford on level terms. Three minutes later Ashford scored again when ADAM UPTON rifled in a sweet shot from 15 yards. With 77 minutes on the clock RONNIE DOLAN fired in a great low drive from 30 yards to give the home side a 3-1 lead. The Maidstone lads were shell shocked and the Ashford lads were now playing their best football of the game. On 85 minutes, Ben Marley set off on a long tun beating a couple of defenders but his shot was deflected for a corner. With a minute of the ninety remaining, the Stone's keeper made a good save from substitute Charlie Partridge. Surely that was the end of the scoring but Ashford had one final trick to perform. Following a short corner, with 92 minutes on the clock, the ball was played into the Maidstone area where CHARLIE PARTRIDGE applied the finishing touch. Thirty seconds later the referee Mr N. Dunn, who had a good game, brought matters to a close. It is fair to say that, like the first team on some occasions, the reserves did not start to really play until the last twenty minutes but what a devastating period it turned out to be. Someone said they saw Lee Ealham smile as he left the field but it could be just a rumour as I am sure he would have reminded his lads the football is a ninety minute game.The Ashford team was as follows:-Roddy Hayward, Jay Wynters, Daniel Morrison, Daniel Shearing, Ben Jordan, Adam Upton, Ronnie Dolan, Tom Scorer, Sam Conlon (Charlie Partridge – 77 mins), Ben Marley, Dan Scorer.Subs not used = Andy Morris, Stuart Taylor, Lewis Prior, Lee Ealham.
M.O.M; - Several worthy candidates but my vote went to ADAM UPTON whose two goals changed the game.
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Saturday 13th February
Ashford Ressies face Chatham in Division 1&2 Cup Quarter Final
Lee Ealhams reserves take on Chatham Town in the cup quarter final with a 3 pm kick off at Chatham,
Ashford are ready to take it to their opponents with some attacking football that will lead by example and hopefully produce a star or stars of the future! Speaking to this website during the week Lee is confident that his 4,4,2 combination will ensure a good attacking game in true style with fast flowing football that he relentlessly installs in to his young stallions. The team will possibly need to call on the next level of rising stars from the under 18,s set up if Steve Lovells first team need players from the reserves to cover injuries. "We have some very talented younger players coming through the youth teams who are showing lots of promise" Lee said. "We will give this game our best shot and we will see playing in this cup game future first team players,i'm sure"The team has not yet at the time of writing been fully finalised but Lee has some new signings involved as well!"I really rate the new keeper ,signed from Deal Academy ,Roddy Hayward.He has already signed Ryman papers ready as cover for the first team in the event of further needs from Steve(Lovell).At just 17 he is very good,at 20 he could be real class!"The full squad could include Tom Scorer,Ryan Norman,Sam Conlan,Ben Morley,Jay Wynter(yes that family has produced another)Stuart Taylor and another new signing from the Academy of Adam Upton who again Lee rates highly as a strong midfield dynamo!"Adam is another young talent showing immence promise and again he,s just 17""We could be looking for a couple of the under 18,s for this one ,we will see"Lee said.It would be a terrific result if the ATFC ressies could win this and progress on to the semi finals!
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Wednesday 20 January 2010
Kent League Div. 1.
By John Pease
ASHFORD Reserves 0
MARGATE Reserves 2
After a very long enforced break, an Ashford team once more took to the field at Homelands. The pitch, which has seen Maidstone use it the night before, looked remarkably good with only a patch in front of the stand being bereft of grass. Full marks to groundsman Steve Hackett for getting two games on in as many days. Among the loyal watchers were Don “call me Dan” Crosbie and Steve “unbeaten this year, boyo” Lovell. The latter being there to cast an eye over several of our young players knowing that a big squad will be needed to tackle the large number of outstanding first team fixtures. Our line up included a few players with first team experience and offered a very welcome return to goalie Josh Willis. Within two minutes of the kick off, Dan Scorer beat three defenders before forcing the Margate keeper into a good save. Almost at once Willis was called into action before the game settled into a pattern of good moves being negated by some good defending. There was little to choose between the two sides and half an hour had passed before Ashford really tested the visitors when a corner somehow evaded everyone. Margate replied at once when their number 9 fired wide from a good position. In the 34 minute Sam Conlon burst through but struck his shot wide of the right hand post. From then on Margate started to look the more likely to score with the Ashford keeper being far busier than his opposite number. Half time arrived with the game scoreless but never less than interesting. The second half was only a minute old when Margate opened the scoring. A corner from the right caught our keeper and defenders flat footed and was scrambled over the line. This proved to be the turning point in the game as the visitors upped the tempo and nearly added to their score twice in the next ten minutes. With just over an hour played, Ashford won a free kick about 30 yards out to the left. Dan Scorer fed the ball to Ronnie Dolan but his shot was wide. Manager Lee Ealham started to ring the changes bringing on Charlie Partridge and Ben Stevens in the 67 minute. Just under ten minutes later, Margate increased their lead when a good move down the left flank resulting in the conversion of a pin point cross. Almost at once Ashford made their final substitution by introducing Ben Morley. The new guys gave us a bit more punch up front and Morley should have done better when he found himself clear in the 83 minute only to fire over the bar. This was the last real chance for the home side and Margate stayed in control for a well deserved victory. I know that Lee Ealham hates to lose and the home team were slow to re-appear from the dressing room but I see no disgrace in losing to a better team who looked like they had had more match practice of late than our team. Josh Willis admits to be well short of match fitness and the same may well go for several others. If we can now get regular football re-established this will cure itself. Out line up, to the best of my knowledge, was as follows:- Josh Willis, Stuart Taylor, Jay Wynter, Dan Shearing, Robbie Richardson, Matt Newman, Ronnie Dolan (Ben Stevens – 67 mins), Dan Morrison (Charlie Partridge – 67 mins) Tom Scorer, Sam Conlon, Dan Scorer (Ben Morley – 76 mins). Subs not used = Ben Jordan and Luke Stanley.
M.O.M: Many decent performances but my vote went to Matt Newman who was always in the heat of the action.
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Wednesday 4th November 2009
Kent league Div. 1.
Ashford Town Reserves 0
Chatham Town Reserves 2
After last week's five star display at Hythe, the Ashford supporters were hoping for more of the same especially as the home line up included three players with first team experience. These were Bryan Pearce, Ronnie Dolan and Ryan Norman. In addition, we had the talented Dan Scorer at number eight with brother Tom on the substitutes bench along with a certain Lee Ealham!As seems to be the way with Ashford teams this season, Chatham opened the scoring after only 4 minutes when their number 9, Alex Blaze, cut in from the right, left several defenders in his wake and squared the ball for a colleague (Darryl Hollington?) to poke the ball over the line. Ashford tried to rally but it soon became clear they were up against a very good side. This was underlined when, with 14 minutes on the clock , a cross field pass found the Chat's number 11, Ryan Laker, in acres of space. He fed the ball to Alex Blaze who scored with a sweet first time shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Thankfully, matters settled down a little after that and our back four started to look a bit more secure with captain Laurence Harvey, in particular, getting the measure of the tricky Blaze and leading from the front. The home attack still struggled to make any impression against the Chat's impressive central defenders and half an hour had passed before we mustered a shot when Ryan Norman's shot was just wide. Almost at once home keeper Dan Mason made the first a several good saves. At the other end, Ashford put together their only real move of the half when Dan Scorer picked up a loose ball and passed to Sam Conlon but his shot was too high. On 40 minutes Chatham nearly increased their lead when Laker and Blaze exchanged passes only for the former to shoot narrowly wide. Just before half time the dangerous Alex Blaze pulled up with what looked like a hamstring problem and was replaced by James Higgins. At about the same time, Laurence Harvey won a 50/50 ball with a fair but crunching tackle on Ryan Laker who did not appear for the second half.With Chatham's two best players out of the action there were high hopes that the home side could get something from the match. Nine minutes into the second period, Sam Conlon threaded the ball through to Ronnie Dolan but the chance was missed and the Chat's defence cleared without too much trouble. After an hour Tom Scorer re-placed his brother Dan but the home side could make little headway. Chances were few and far between with Chatham comfortably in control as the home side were relying too much on route one football. With just under ten minutes remaining, home keeper Dan Mason was forced to make a couple of good saves and within a minute Chat's keeper, Russell Bull, made his first real save of the night from a Dan Morrison header. He then had to be alert to grab a good cross shot from Robbie Richardson. The home side looked more lively in the closing stages and a darting run by winger Ryan Norman resulted in a foul just outside the 18 yard box but the setpieve was poor and nothing came of it. The town tried but could not get on the scoreboard so the match ended with Chatham worthy winners. Some people said that our lads had not played that well but I thought they were not allowed to do so. Finally a word of praise for referee C. Myatt who kept the game flowing with the minimum of fuss.The Ashford team, in number order, was as follows:-Dan Mason, Jay Wynter, Robbie Richardson (Lewis Prior - 89 mins), Laurence Harvey, Bryan Pearce, Ronnie Dolan, Ben Jordan, Dan Scorer (Tom Scorer - 70 mins), Dan Morrison, Sam Conlon, Ryan Norman.Subs not used = Lee Ealham, Luke Stanley and Nathan Malthouse.The Chatham team were as follows:-Russell Bull, Tom Howell, Sam Adgie, James Smith, Daryl Bull, Joe Green, Rudolf Okyere-Brendan, Darryl Hollington, Alex Blaze, Tom Hill, Ryan Laker.Subs = all of whom got into the action, James Higgins, Robert Reardon and Craig Pryer.
M.O.M. Laurence Harvey who was outstanding and must surely get into the first team before long.
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Tuesday 27th October 2009
Floodlight Trophy.
Hythe Town Reserves 1
Ashford Town Reserves 5
Yesterday I had the choice of driving to Horsham on my own or being taken to and from Hythe by Colin and Mary Hallybone. I think I made the right decision.After suffering a heavy defeat on Saturday, albeit with a weakened team, manager Lee Ealham was looking for a much improved performance from his team. He was not to be disappointed. For the first ten minutes there was nothing to choose between the two sides except that the Hythe players seemed to shout louder then ours. Then, two things happened. First, Ashford started to dominate the game and second, the referee's performance went downhill faster than an Olympic bobsleigh. In the 11th minute the Hythe keeper, Tony Allen, made what was to be the first on many superb saves this time from Darren Wills. Five minutes later the same player tried a shot from 25 yards, which just cleared the bar, following a good build up. A goal had to come and it dully arrived in the 18th minute. Sam Conlon passed to Jamie Collado who fed Dan Morrison. Dan's shot brought out a super save from Allen but the ball broke to DARREN WILLS to smash home the opener. Two minutes later Hythe had the ball in the net but were denied by a bizarre refereeing decision. In the 24th minute, skipper Laurence Harvey cleared off the line with Ben Stevens stranded. From then, on chances for the home side were few and far between. The Ashford lads were playing some delightfull football with the lively Dan Scorer causing the home defence problems. Goal number two arrived in the 31st minute when Harvey crossed a perfect ball for SAM CONLON to head home. Four minutes from the break, Ashford's Collado was caught around the neck by Jamie Pickering and in falling down twisted his knee. The ref. did nothing and poor Collado was replaced by Jay Wynter. Thankfully, we found out later that the damage was not too bad. A minute later Pickering was booked for dissent. Five minutes into the second half Ashford were awarded a penalty when Morrison was brought down. He took the kick and scored but it was dis-allowed as the ref, was now sending off Hythe's Joe Bullard for, we assumed, prolonged "verbals". After a delay DAN MORRISON re-took the spot kick and scored. A couple of minutes later Ashford's excellent Stuart Taylor was carded for what looked like a fair challenge. There then followed a period where Ashford were content to soak up any pressure but break away and create more chances. Unfortunately, these came to naught due to some sloppy passing. However, our lads finished the game in style. In the 85th minute SAM CONLON unleashed a pile driver which the home keeper parried but could not keep out. A minute later, Harvey crossed for DAN MORRISON to head home number five. Hythe scored their consolation goal in the last minute when from a free kick, which was not merited, Stuart Daffin's direct shot sailed over the head of the otherwise impressive Ben Stevens. Lee Ealham was delighted with the performance as were those of us in attendance. In conclusion, a hugely enjoyable evening at a friendly and welcoming club who offered drinks at half the price normally encountered. I tried a few just to make sure they were OK.The Ashford team was as follow, in number order:-Ben Stevens, Stuart Taylor, Luke Stanley, Laurence Harvey (Capt), Robert Richardson, Ben Jordan, Jamie Collado (Jay Wynter 42 mins), Darren Wills, Sam Conlon (Ryan Makatori 86 mins) Dan Morrison, Dan Scorer.Subs not used = Lewis Prior, Stuart Margetson and Andy (where are the sandwiches?) Morris.
M.O.M. In the frame were captain Laurence Harvey and Sam Conlon but the vote went to 16 year old STUART TAYLOR.
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Kent league Division 1/2 Cup
Ashford Town Reserves 3
Hythe Town Reserves
Another day and another game for the reserves but what a difference from Wednesday. First of all the sun was shining and secondly the lads turned in a much better performance.Unlike Ramsgate, Hythe fielded what appeared to be a genuine second string consisting of mainly young players so, in terms of age, the two sides looked evenly balanced. Before kick off, a visiting supporter warned us about the referee, B Wesley, who had upset just about everybody when Hythe reserves played Deal reserves last week. This comment was brought into sharp focus when, after 5 minutes play, a Hythe player crashed into home keeper Dan Mason who cannoned into and injured Ashford's Daniel Morrison. The ref. took no action and this set the tone for what was to be a very erratic performance on his behalf. With 11 minutes on the clock Ashford launched a good move featuring the impressive Tom Scorer but although this led to two corners Hythe cleared the danger. Four minutes later Sam Conlon shot just over the bar but better things were in store for him. For most of the first half Ashford were on top with Lawrence Harvey just heading over from a corner, and Tom Scorer forcing what was to be the first of many great saves from Hythe keeper Jon Sparks.In the 24th minute the ref, produced the first card of the game, a yellow, to Hythe's Lloyd Taylor for a foul on Luke Stanley. Five minutes later Darren Wills fired in a cross but the Hythe keeper comfortably collected. Hythe responded almost at once and Daniel Morrison made a good saving tackle. Play switched to the other end and Wills forced another save from Sparks. In the 34th minute Ashford constructed a delightful triangular move which resulted in Luke Stanley firing narrowly over from 20 yards. Four minutes later, and with the natives starting to get restless, the first goal arrived. Ashford won a corner on the right and from the accurate kick Lawrence Harvey nodded the ball forward for SAM CONLON to back head into the net. Three minutes before the break, Hythe's Jamie Pickering received a yellow card for "verbals" and almost at once Ashford's Darren Wills received the same for kicking the ball into the net a nano second after the ref. had whistled for off side. Quite ludicrous. The last action of the half saw Daniel Morrison making another good saving tackle.So half time arrived with the home team deservedly in the lead but knowing more goals were needed.The second half was only four minutes old when Ashford brought on substitute Hayden Clottey for the slightly injured Darren Wills.On 50 minutes Hythe keeper Sparks made a fine save from Conlon and almost at once Ashford's Jamie Collado fired just over the bar. Hythe responded when Stuart Daffin went close from 30 yards. In the 56th minute Ashford made another substitution when Stuart Taylor replaced Luke Stanley. It now seemed to be Ashford verses Hythe keeper Sparks as he made fine saves from Taylor and Collado. The balance of the game was altered in the 65th minute when Hythe's Lloyd Taylor received a very harsh second yellow card resulting in a red card and an early bath. A minute later Ashford made their last substitution when Jay Winter replaced a struggling Laurence Harvey (hamstring?) who, none the less, had looked impressive. Almost at once home full back Morrison made yet another great tackle to thwart Hythe and help launch an attack which resulted in another fine save by Jon Sparks, this time from Ronnie Dolan. There then followed a five minute period during which Sparks made further saves, Hythe's Rob Clark picked up a yellow card and Hythe used two of their subs. Just as the home fans were beginning to despair of another goal one duly arrived, in the 76th minute, when SAM CONLON latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted his shot just inside the right hand post. Four minutes later Ashford won a penalty when Ben Jordan was up-ended by Rob Clark. Maybe it should have been a second yellow for Clark but the general feeling was that the ref. had done enough damage for one day. After a slight delay to repair young Mr Jordan up stepped SAM CONLON to confidently slot home his and the teams third goal. There was still time for Sparks to make further saves and for home keeper Dan Mason to do likewise and ensure a clean sheet.So the young Ashford team march on to the next round of the cup that was won by the club a couple of years ago.Manager Lee Ealham was quietly pleased with the result but felt his lads only"really played" for 60 out of the 90 minutes. He has set high standards for this season and wants them maintained but is pleased with the overall progress made so far this season. It must be remembered that his is a very young side that is being carefully guided for the future.The Ashford team was as follow, in number order.Dan Mason, Robbie Richardson, Daniel Morrison, Laurence Harvey(Jay Wynter 79 mins), Luke Stanley (Stuart Taylor 56 mins), Benjamin Jordan, Ronnie Dolan, Tom Scorer, Darren Wills (Hayden Clottey 49 mins), Sam Conlon, Jamie Collado. Subs not used = Ben Robbins and Jamie Law.
MOM = Sam Conlon
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Floodlight Trophy
Ashford v Ramsgate
Mid week reserve matches are a bit of a lottery as one never knows just what sort of team the opposition will offer. Last night Ramsgate fielded a very experienced team who proved too strong for our lads. Mark the result down as "beaten but not disgraced".Despite the continuous rain, a decent crowd turned up at Homelands and the referee was happy to go ahead with the game. The pitch proved tricky for the first half hour but when the rain stopped the water drained away quickly. Ramsgate launched their first attack in the very first minute but a good tackle by Lawrence Harvey snuffed out the danger. For the next ten minutes the Ashford lads dominated. First, Darren Wills scuffed his shot when in a good position then Tom Scorer forced the Rams keeper into a good save. In the 10th minute a good move saw Sam Conlon feed the ball to Jamie Collado whose shot was just wide. These attacks stung Ramsgate into action and after their number 10, John Greaves was just too high with a shot they took the lead on 13 minutes when all our defenders slipped over allowing the Rams striker an easy shot into the net. Five minutes later Ashford's Ronnie Dolan picked up an injury as was replaced by Ben Stevens. For the rest of the half the Rams dominated and home goalie Dan Mason made several first class saves. Turned out his suspected broken figure from Saturday was no more than severe bruising. In the 32nd minute Ramsgate increased their lead when Sam Brennan fired home following a good build up move. Three minutes later Ashford responded when Tom Scorer beat several defenders but shot just over the bar. The Rams scored again in the 39th minute when their two strikers proved too quick for our three defenders. Worse was to follow when another good move resulted in a fierce cross into the Ashford box being diverted past his own keeper by Matt Bower (remember him?). I'm not sure he knew much about it. So the half ended with our lads 4-0 down and the game virtually over.Ashford started the second half pretty well but were inclined to be pushed aside by the stronger visitors. In the 57th minute, Ashford put together a neat move but the Rams keeper was able to smother the ball. A minute later manager Lee Ealham rang the changes by replacing Luke Stanley and Matt Bower with Hayden Clottey and Robert Richardson. Five minutes later a comedy of errors within the Ashford defence allowed the Rams to poke home number five. From that moment the home team seemed to up their game with the new players looking particularly good. Shortly after the Rams fifth goal Ashford's Sam Conlon scuffed a shot wide. The last real scare for the home defence came in the 66th minute when Jamie Collard headed off the line with Dan Mason out of position. As the game entered the last quarter some of the Ramsgate players started to tire. In the 74th minute Ashford won a corner on the right and the resulting kick was headed home by LAWRENCE HARVEY. A minute later and two Ram's players committed bad fouls that should have warranted yellow cards but didn't. Needless to say when our Sam Conlon committed a far smaller sin he was immediately booked. The referee had a decent game but for this period of ten minutes when he seemed to lose concentration. The Ashford lads pushed hard for another goal in the closing stages with long range shots from Hayden Clottey and Ben Stevens being just too high. According to my watch the referee blew for time on 89 minutes but no one seemed to complain.The Ashford team for this Floodlight Trophy game was as follow, in number order:- Dan Mason, Jay Wynter, Daniel Morrison, Lawrence Harvey, Matt Bower (Robert Richardson 58 mins), Luke Stanley (Hayden Clottey 58 mins), Ronnie Dolan (Ben Stevens 18 mins), Tom Scorer, Darren Wills, Samuel Conlon, Jamie Collard.Subs not used = Jamie Law, B. Jordan
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Saturday 17th October 2009
Ashford Town 0
Dartford 3
On a lovely day to play football Ashford Town reserves faced an experienced Dartford side that included former Ashford Loanee John Guest. The Ashford side were not to be outdone with themselves fielding some 1st team squad players that included Ryan Norman, Brian Pearce and Daniel Scorer. Although two of them are still pretty inexperienced at 1st team level. Onto the game... Dartford came flying out of the traps and showed there maturity by playing the ball around nicely and making ashford work hard to regain the ball only for them to carry on giving it away cheaply. The only real threat from Ashford came in the form of Ryan Norman who was an constant thorn in the Darts back line. Unfortunately it was not enough and the nuts and bolts went in at half time 3-0 down. The message at half time was clear start hunting in packs and make the ball do the work and you will reap the rewards. This was the case as the boys in green and white were much the better side for the second 45 mins but just could not make that final ball count. On another day it could have been so different. MOM: Brian Pearce, a solid performance from the centre back and none of the goals were his fault and he was followed closely by Ryan Norman.September 9th 2009. Ashford Reserves v Herne Bay Reserves. The reserves lost 1 - 0 to a very organised Herne Bay side. Although the nuts and bolts side had the majority of the possession and countless chances on goal, with several going agonisingly close but none unfortunately hit the back of the net. It proved to be very costly as of the few chances the Herne bay side got they managed to put one away. It was a steep learning curve for our young side but they will learn for games like this that take place in the future.