Bill Beaney. Matt Burt. Frankie Comparetto (Vice Captain). Laurence Harvey.Liam Holman. Ben Jordan. Danny Keen. Alex Marr. Callum Mairs. Adam Mercer. Louis Wickett-Padgham (Captain). Dan Scorer. Daniel Shearing. Hayden Slade.Michael Williams. Metin Zurel.

6/05/08

Herne Bay 4 v Ashford Town 1

Goal scorer; S.Margetson

Player of the Match; L.Harvey

Ashford Town Under 18's were away to Herne Bay on Tuesday evening, playing the team that needed a win to secure the league title. The surface which was hard and uneven, would not suite Ashford's passing game, however, after Sunday's good performance they must have felt optimistic about causing another upset. Herne Bay, though, were in no mood to let the title slip away, closing down quickly and not giving Ashford a chance to settle. Ashford's best chance of the half fell to Frankie Comparetto, who worked his way past two Bay defenders into the six yard box, but cut back onto his left and missed his opportunity to shoot. By half-time Bay were already 2-0 up and Ashford needed to improve.

After the interval it was clear that Manager Emma Knight had motivated her side, as Ashford started with much more belief and started to enjoy better possession, with Ben Jordan starting to create openings through the Herne Bay defence. Then centre half Lawrence Harvey took a blow to the face and had to come off temporarily for treatment, but while down to ten players, Bay took full advantage and scored their third. The introduction of Bill Beaney from the bench helped the tiring Ashford midfield and Ashford were starting to get in behind the Bay full-backs. It was a combination of passes between Beaney and Wickett-Padgham down Bay's left flank that led to Ashford's only goal. Wickett-Padgham's first cross was blocked, but with his left his second attempt found Margetson at the back post, who chested the ball down and tucked it away from six yards out.

Considering they faced a strong Herne Bay side and included only four Under 18's, with four Under 16's, Ashford gave a good account of themselves and never gave the game up. The Under 16's had played well in a difficult fixture, Stewart Margetson in midfield worked particularly hard, lone striker Sean Tong brought players in well, Michael Thomas was solid at full-back and Hayden Murrell was excellent when he came on from the bench.

Ashford's Player of the Match was centre half Lawrence Harvey, who tackled superbly, was dominant in the air and passed out well from the back.

Ashford U/18's

M.Burt, M.Thomas, D.Shearing, L.Harvey, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), L.Hollman, S.Margetson, B.Jordan, A.White, S.Tong, F.Comparetto.

Subs; B.Beaney, H.Murrell.

Ashford Town U/18's 2 v 1 Whitstable Town U/18's

Goal scorers; F.Comparetto, A.White.

Player of the Match; A.Mercer

Title chasers Whitstable came to homelands expecting to collect 3 points from struggling Ashford. But the Under 18's pulled off another surprise result coming back from a goal down against one of the top sides, with a terrific second half come back. Early on both defences were on top, but Ashford had enjoyed the majority of first half possession, until sloppy defending from a Whitstable corner, allowed the away side to go one up.

The second half saw a more confident Whitstable team and they were starting to enjoy their one goal advantage. But Stewart Margetson played in Mike Williams, he was brought down, two yards outside the box by the advancing Whitstable keeper. The referee played advantage as the loose ball found Frankie Comparetto, who kept his cool, beat the last defender and slotted the ball home. This is just what Ashford had deserved and it looked possible now that they could go on and take all 3 points. This looked certain when with 15 minutes remaining Mike William's cut his pass back for Aaron White to finish and put Ashford ahead 2-1. Whitstable looked stunned and didn't look capable of pushing on for an equaliser. This was a good all round team performance, especially considering the Under 18's were stretched for players due to illness and injury, and several Under 16's had to help make up the squad. The player of the match was midfielder Adam Mercer, who had to slot into a make shift defence and had a fine performance at left-back.

Ashford Town U/18's

M.Burt, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), D.Shearing, L.Harvey, A.Mercer, L.Hollman, B.Jordan, S.Margetson, A.White, M.Williams, F.Comparetto.

Subs; M.Thomas, H.Murrell, S.Tong.

Ashford Town U/18's 2 v Margate 2

27/4/08 at Homelands

Goal scorers; D.Scorer, M.Willliams

Player of Match; F.Comparetto

Ashford Town Under 18's played Margate at Homelands on Sunday morning, hoping to improve on the loss at the away fixture earlier in the season.

Ashford  were down to 12 fit players with regular centre half Lawrence Harvey starting on the bench and only 75% fit, so Dan Scorer had to start at centre half alongside Dan Shearing.

In the first half Ashford had several early chances, with Bill Beaney and Louis Wickett-Padgham going closest. It was just as Ashford were starting to get on top that Margate won a corner and from the half clearance, they scored to go one up. Matt Burt had saved the first shot well, but his block rebounded straight to another Margate player, who finished from ten yards out. Margate went two up before half-tome and their back four were keeping Ashford's strikers very quiet. It looked very unlikely that Ashford would pull this game around after the interval.

As the second half progressed Ashford's players were struggling to finish their chances. Frustration with the ref boiled over and Michael Thomas was given his marching orders after saying too much. But this seemed to galvanize Ashford into pushing forward and grinding out at least a point.

Then from an Ashford corner, Dan Scorer powered his half volley through a crowded goalmouth to put Ashford back in the game. Ashford now had their chance to get something from the game. Lawrence Harvey replaced the tiring Liam Holman in midfield. It was Harvey's deep cross, with only seconds remaining, that was headed clear to the feet of Mike Williams. Williams hit his shot into the ground, but on target, the Margate keeper slipped and the ball bounced up into the net, 2-2.

Player of the match was Frankie Comparetto, who worked tirelessly up and down the flanks, keeping the Margate wide players very busy. He epitomized Ashford's dogged determination to salvage a point from a game that had looked beyond them.

Ashford Town U/18's;

M.Burt, M.Thomas, D.Shearing, D.Scorer, A.Mercer, L.Holman, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), B.Beaney, B.Jordan, M.Williams, F.Comparetto.

Subs; A.White, L.Harvey.

Ashford Town 2 v Herne Bay 3
20/4/08 at Homelands
Goalscorers; Bill Beaney, Mike Williams

Player of the Match; Dan Shearing

Ashford Town Under 18's played top of the table side Herne Bay at Homelands on Sunday morning hoping to improve on last weeks disappointing performance against Ramsgate. This is the first time the two sides have met this season and Herne Bay were probably expecting to cruise to a 3 point win over Ashford, but the Under 18's are a good footballing team despite their lack of points. Ashford started brightly, they looked confident and their passing was crisp and precise as they started to work the ball and look for an opening. When Bill Beaney took the lead for Ashford it was with the run of play and it looked as though Town were going to cause another upset. Herne Bay were struggling to threaten Ashford and were limited to only one or two chances in open play. Ashford's problem defensively was from either corners or free-kicks and this is how Herne Bay grabbed their equaliser.
Town refused to panic and continued to play their football on the ground to feet with confidence. It looked a certain goal when Louis Wickett-Padgham ran from midfield to meet a deep cross at the back post, but he opted to shoot first time and his volley went straight at the keeper. Bill Beaney also found himself with a great chance but instead of shooting first time, he opted to cut back on to his right foot and his shot was blocked. In the second half Aaron White set Mike Williams away through the centre and he finished well to put Town back in front. Unfortunately centre half Lawrence Harvey had to come off injured, and this only added to Town’s problems in the air defensively. Town were defending well as a team in open play, with holding midfielder Liam Holman working particularly hard in front of the back four. Herne Bay were frustrated as they struggled to carve out any decent chances but their equaliser and winning goal predictably came from set plays that Ashford failed to deal with. Town never gave up and almost grabbed a point when a terrific strike from Ben Jordan that went close, his 25 yard shot clipping the top of the bar. At the final whistle Ashford felt disappointed with the result and probably deserved to come away with a point, they created far more chances than the league leaders but were not ruthless enough in front of goal and also failed to hold their lead. Despite all this there were some very good performances and they played well as a team, unlike last weeks disjointed display.  
Player of the match was Dan 'Dodge' Shearing playing at centre half, he stayed strong and composed despite playing against one of the top scoring teams in the division.  

Ashford Town U/18’s:
M.Burt, M.Thomas, L.Harvey, D.Shearing, D.Scorer, L.Holman, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), B.Beaney, A.Mercer, B.Jordan, M.Williams.
Subs: A.White, F.Comperreto.

Ashford Town 0 v Ramsgate 1 - 13/4/08

Player of the Match - Louis Wickett-Padgham

Ashford Town Under 18's haven't played a fixture for several weeks and played bottom of the league Ramsgate at Homelands on Sunday morning using the fixture to introduce several of their Under 16 players. Ashford started well, dominating the game and maintaining possession for long periods, but for all their good build up play struggled to threaten the Ramsgate goal.

The centre forward Under 16 Sean Tong, had very little decent service, suffering from a lack of quality in the final pass. Down the left Frankie Comperetto worked hard, but without support couldn't deliver the crosses needed into the danger area. Also on the right, despite some help from Bill Beaney and the constant overlapping of full-back Louis Wickett-Padgham, Adam Mercer didn't get in behind the Ramsgate defence to deliver. Ashford's back four were totally in command and looked very comfortable with keeper Matt Burt hardly having a decent shot to save all half. But Ramsgate seemed intent on the long ball through the middle, even though centre halves Lawrence Harvey and Dan Scorer continued to win every header. Towards the end of the first half Liam Hollman's strong challenge, left a Ramsgate player with a suspected break and there was a long delay while paramedics where called.

Early in the second half Ramsgate won an indirect free-kick inside the Ashford penalty area, Town failed to clear properly, resulting in a Ramsgate shot which was scuffed and looped over keeper Matt Burt into the far corner of the net. Ashford looked initially stunned to be a goal behind in a game they really should have been winning. Manager Emma Knight brought on Michael Thomas at right back and Louis Wickett-Padgham was moved to centre midfield.

But when Ashford quickened the tempo of the game looking for an equaliser they lost their composure and the game became scrappy for the last half hour. The nearest chances came when Sean Tong managed to get in behind the Ramsgate centre halves but shot narrowly wide of the far post and Louis Wickett-Padgham after winning the ball, burst into the box only to push his shot past the advancing keeper and the goal.

Player of the match was captain Louis Wickett-Padgham who worked tirelessly down the right during the first half at right-back, and in the second half added some energy into centre midfield, finally running himself into the ground as he tried to drag Ashford back into the game.

Ashford Town; M.Burt, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), L.Harvey, D.Scorer, D.Shearing, L.Hollman, B.Beaney, B.Jordan, A.Mercer, S.Tong, F.Comperetto.

Subs; M.Thomas, S.Margetson.

Whitstable Town U/18s 2 v 0 Ashford Town U/18s

Sunday March 2nd 2008

Player of Match; Laurence Harvey.

On Sunday Ashford Town Under 18's continued to struggle with injuries and illness to their squad as they faced a tough game away to title challengers Whitstable Town at the Belmont Ground. Keeper Matt Burt is going to be out for four weeks, striker Ben Jordan was reduced to the bench with a knee injury and Dan Shearing was missing due to illness. Captain Louis Wickett-Padgham was 75% fit and started despite still suffering from flu, with Metin Zurel back in central midfield, Aaron White was given his debut start upfront.

Straight from kick-off Whitstable got about the Ashford players, closing down quickly and putting constant pressure on the ball. Their tactics worked well as Ashford struggled to find their composure and work the ball out from the back. It took twenty minutes for Ashford create a move of any quality, whereas Whitstable had created enough chances to take have taken the lead, but due to Whitstable's poor finishing the game remained scoreless at half time.

The second half saw Whitstable continue at a frantic pace as their players made life uncomfortable for Ashford's midfield and back four who were never allowed time on the ball. Ashford's strikers were given very few chances as Whitstable's back four were having an excellent game, particularly the centre backs. Then just as Ashford started to think they may be capable of picking up a point Whitstable struck. Callum Mairs parried the shot but only for another Whitstable player following up who placed the rebound home.

Ashford heads dropped and Whitstable soon scored their second, a low drive into the bottom left, which Mairs struggled to reach. This time Ashford reacted well and at last started to unsettle Whitstable with the pace of Mike Williams and Aaron White. But it was too little too late and when White was brought off after receiving a nasty knock and Wickett-Padgham was substituted, it was already clear that the game was beyond Ashford.

After a disappointing performance last week this was a much better display against tougher opposition, Ashford at least got the ball down and played some better football, if only in one or two spells. But Ashford were not penetrating enough down the flanks and failed to get in around the back of the Whitstable defence to really punish them. But their were signs that once they gained some belief Williams and particularly White were starting to unsettle a very good side. The midfield was a better blend with Zurel holding, Wickett-Padgham working from box to box and Beaney creating in a free role. In defence Ashford looked very solid, especially if you consider that previously Whitstable had scored 22 goals in 7 games at home this season, with Harvey leading by example and organising the back four well.

Ashford Town U/18's

C.Mairs, A.Mercer, D.Keen, L.Harvey, D.Scorer, M.Zurel, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), B.Beaney, A.White, M.Williams, F.Comparetto.

Subs, H.Slade, B.Jordan, L.Holman.

Ashford Town U/18's 0 v 2 Folkestone Invicta U/18's

Sunday 24th February

Player of Match, Callum Mairs

Ashford Under 18's Manager Emma Knight had to make several changes to her side this week, missing due to illness and injury were captain Louis Wickett-Padgham and Metin Zurel from midfield and also first choice keeper Matt Burt. Last seasons reserve keeper Callum Mairs played in goal, with Hayden Slade and Liam Holman both restored to the starting line-up in midfield.

Ashford held their own throughout the first half, but it was clear that Folkestone were the more dangerous side as they started to pen Town back in their own half. The closest Ashford came in the first half was an attempt from left back Dan Scorer from 25 yards, but his shot was saved comfortably by the Invicta keeper, 0-0 at half time.

In the second half Folkestone picked up where they had left off and finally took the lead with a well taken strike that left Ashford keeper Mairs with no chance. Ashford didn't respond well and there was still no creativity or energy going forward. But despite conceding one goal Ashford's back four were containing the Folkestone strikers and didn't really look like conceding another. The only service to the front players was very limited and of poor quality, with only Beaney trying to create any decent openings.

One of Ashford's best scoring opportunities came when Beaney got in behind the left back just inside the box, but his low cross was cut-out well by the Invicta keeper at the near post. Town striker Mike Williams continued to work hard upfront, but he was mostly chasing lost causes. His best strike on goal came late in the game when sub Aaron White's flicked on header put him through.

Folkestone put the game beyond Ashford with ten minutes to go when a deep in-swinging corner by ex-Town player Ryan Strand, the ball beat everyone and drifted in under the bar, Dan Shearing at the back post attempted to head the ball clear but couldn't, 2-0.

Ashford didn't look the team that have won 7 and drawn 2 of their last seven league games since November and they struggled to play any flowing football or to create any really good scoring opportunities, a disappointing performance.

Ashford Town U/18s

C.Mairs, D.Shearing, D.Keene, L.Harvey, D.Scorer, L.Holman, H.Slade, B.Beaney, B.Jordan, M.Williams, F.Comparetto (Capt).

Subs; A.White, A.Mercer, M.Thomas.

Chatham Town U/18's 0 v 4 Ashford Town U/18's

Goalscorers; Mike Williams 3, Ben Jordan.

Player of Match; Ben Jordan

Earlier in the season Ashford Under 18's had lost at Homelands to Chatham, but they are now a more confident side and on an unbeaten run of six games.

They were confident of grabbing at least a point from this away fixture as the previous score line had not reflected the game. Manager Emma Knight knew Ashford had played well against Chatham and she decided to keep the same starting line up that had won 1-0 against Faversham.

Ashford started brightly and almost scored twice in the first five minutes, Louis Wickett-Padgham burst into the box but his first time volley was saved from six yards out and Frankie Comparetto's left foot drive whistled just wide.

The game soon became tightly congested in the midfield with both sides compressing the game and Chatham made their physical presence felt with some strong challenges. But Ashford worked the ball down the flanks when given the opportunity and were rewarded when their deep cross found Comparetto who almost finished and Mike Williams was on hand to make sure from a yard out.

Ashford continued to take the game to Chatham and went two up just before half time, when Comparetto's perfect lob beat the approaching keeper and Williams headed home.

The second half saw Chatham respond well, but Ashford continued to stay in control and their swift counter-attacks kept Chatham's back four busy. The third goal came from one of these counter-attacks, when Ben Jordan whose 'Ronaldo' style pass, put Williams through on goal. Williams was brought down from behind but Jordan coolly scored from the resulting spot kick.

Ashford's defence soaked up any further Chatham pressure with relative ease and it was from centre half Laurence Harvey's clearance to striker Williams that he scored Ashford's fourth and his own hat-trick. Captain Wickett-Padgham came off injured from one of Chatham's more robust challenges in midfield and Ashford having already made their three subs had to see out the remaining ten minutes of the match with only ten players.

Ashford Town Under 18's are the in-form side having won five and drawn two of their last seven league games and have now climbed to 6th in the MUSH League.

Ashford Town U/18's

M.Burt, A.Mercer, D.Keen, L.Harvey, D.Scorer, M.Zurel, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), B.Beaney, B.Jordan, M.Williams, F.Comparetto.

Subs; M.Thomas, L.Holman, A.Marr.

Ashford Town U/18's 1 v 0 Faversham Town FC

3rd February 2008

Goalscorer; Ben Jordan

Player of Match; Metin Zurel

Ashford Town Under 18's played Faversham at a windswept Homelands on Sunday morning and it wasn't a match of any real quality, with the windy conditions disrupting most of the football played. Ashford weren't at full strength with Dan Shearing and Hayden Slade missing from the side, but despite this the team pulled together and held their first half lead after enormous pressure during the second half.

During the early exchanges it looked as though Faversham were gaining the upper hand, with Ashford taking the first fifteen minutes to settle, but despite their early dominance Faversham never really threatened Ashford in the final third.

Ashford took the lead late on in the first half when Louis Wickett-Padgham split the Faversham back four with his measured pass to striker Ben Jordan, who finished superbly giving the Faversham keeper no chance. Five minutes later this move was almost successful again when Wickett-Padgham this time found Frankie Comparetto, but Comparetto was unable to convert his chance.

Ashford were now playing with more confidence and finished the first half comfortably.

In the second half Ashford were playing against the wind, which was now stronger than earlier and found it very difficult to clear their lines and get out of their own half. As the game progressed Faversham looked increasingly likely to score an equaliser, but they failed to create any clear cut scoring opportunities in open play. Ashford had to endure constant pressure from set plays with several corners and free kicks fully testing their defending capabilities. Centre Half Laurence Harvey had another good game at the heart of Ashford's defence steadying the battered back four.

Ashford held on and won 1-0 with their first clean sheet of the season and are now undefeated in their last six league games, winning four and drawing two.

Player of the match was Metin Zurel who had an excellent game playing the holding midfield role in front of the back four, breaking up the Faversham midfield play and protecting the Ashford defence.

Ashford Town;

M.Burt, A.Mercer, D.Keen, L.Harvey, D.Scorer, M.Zurel, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), B.Beaney, F.Comparetto, M.Williams, B.Jordan.

Subs; A.Marr, C.Mairs, L.Holman.

Folkestone Invicta 2 v 2 Ashford Town 

 6th January

Goalscorers; Ben Jordan, Ben Morley

Player of the Match; Lawrence Harvey

The first match of the new year for Ashford Town Under 18's was a scrappy game against local rivals Invicta, played on a heavy pitch away at Folkestone. Town were forced to make several changes in the line-up with midfielders Frankie Comperetto and playmaker Louis Wickett-Padgham dropping into the back-four. Folkestone grabbed an early lead from the first corner of the game and from then on started to dominate play. But Ashford soaked up the continuous early pressure and finally broke out down the right with a swift counter attack. Metin Zural found right-back Danny Keene who had pushed forward and his early cross was met by Ben Jordan, who buried his header from just inside the box. More Folkestone pressure continued and they took the lead again after a rare error by Town keeper Matt Burt. But Ashford soon had their own luck in turn, when Invicta's keeper also struggled to hold a corner and striker Ben Morley tucked the loose ball away form six yards out, 2-2 at half-time.

The second half continued in a similar way to the first, with Folkestone penning Town into their own half and putting the Town defence under constant pressure with long diagonal balls and crosses from wide areas. The heavy pitch slowed the game down and did not suit Town's usual quick pass and move style of play. Town also failed to keep the ball and were guilty of giving away possession cheaply, they also lacked their usual creativity or movement in midfield and attack. But Ashford managed to hold out for the second half and probably deserved a point from the game and are now unbeaten in their last four league games.

Ashford Town; M.Burt, D.Keene, L.Wickett-Padgham (Capt), L.Harvey, F.Comperetto, L.Hollman, M.Zural, B.Beaney, B.Morley, B.Jordan, M.Williams.

Subs: D.Shearing, A.Mercer, A.Marr.

Dover Athletic U18s 1 v 3 Ashford Town U18s

16th December

Goalscorers: B.Morley 2, B.Beaney.

Player of the Match: Ben Morley

Ashford Town Under 18's traveled away to Dover Athletic on Sunday expecting a tight game, after just edging a 3-2 win at Homelands last month. Town had to reshuffle their side as several players were unavailable this week, worst hit was the back four, where Adam Mercer and Louis Wickett-Padgham had to slot in. Maybe due to the back fours uncertainty and Mercer picking up an injury, Town conceded a soft early goal. The injured Mercer was soon replaced by Mike Williams and the back four was reshuffled with Frankie Comperetto dropping into left back, with Williams playing upfront. Even though they conceded early, Town did not panic and once they had settled, started to open up the Dover defence. Town's pace and quick short passing down either flank and through midfield soon had Dover on the back foot.

Unusually, Town were also mixing play with several long balls over the back of the Dover back four, giving their quick attacking players something to run onto. Dover looked unsettled by Town's pace up front, with Ben Morley, Ben Jordan and Mike Williams all going close. Dan Shearing pushed forward down the right flank, linking well with Mike Williams and inside Bill Beaney was finding striker Jordan with ease. Ashford equalised through Morley and then Beaney put Town 2-1 up before half-time with two well worked goals. The second half continued with Ashford dominating possession and with the pace of Morley a constant threat up front, it looked certain that the player of the match would soon grab a second. Metin Zural continued breaking up play in central midfield and Dan Scorer was having an excellent game at centre back, leaving the Ashford goal rarely troubled. Morley eventually scored Ashford's third, bursting through the tired Dover defence, giving Town Under 18's their third league win in succession.

Ashford Town U/18's 4-3-3

M.Burt, A.Mercer, D.Shearing, L.Wickett-Padgham (capt), D.Scorer, L.Holman, M.Zural, B.Beaney, B.Morley, B.Jordan, F.Comperetto. Subs; M.Williams, A.Marr.

Cray Wanderers U/18s 3 v 2 Ashford Town U/18s 2nd Round PLAAYA Cup

Goalscorers; Frankie Comperetto, Michael Williams.

Player of Match; Frankie Comperetto.

Ashford Town Under 18's traveled to Woolwich, South London, to play Cray Wanderers in the second round of the PLAAYA Cup on Sunday and despite the strong winds, both sides played some good attractive football in an entertaining cup tie.

The Londoners started brightly and it took Ashford ten minutes to steady themselves and start to play. Metin Zural was stamping his authority on the central midfield and defensively Town looked relatively untroubled. Full back Dan Shearing showing his quality and guile going forward, linking well with Adam Mercer on the right flank, whose tricks and turns were causing the Cray left back plenty of problems. Likewise the powering Dan Scorer was supporting Frankie Comperetto well on the left and Comperetto was getting the upper hand on that flank as well.

Steadily Ashford were starting to control the game and there were gaps starting to appear in the Cray defence. From the left Comperetto went close with a low driven cross come shot, that hit the side netting and Cray were starting to wobble. More space was opening up in central midfield and despite being man-marked Ashford's playmaker Louis Wickett-Padgham was starting to cause Cray problems. He showed his class when with a drop of the shoulder and turn, he lost two closing Cray players, then played a delightful pass through to striker Ben Jordan, whose shot was blocked.

But the first goal soon followed when Comperetto closed down a back pass to the Cray keeper, he intercepted the keepers clearance and buried his chance.

Ashford were now coasting, keeping possession and looking to see out the first half. But then, the impressive Zural, had one slip of concentration and his loose pass let Cray in on goal and their shot beat keeper Matt Burt, 1-1.

The second half saw Cray pushing forward for the winning goal and with Zural starting to tire, Ashford were losing their control of midfield. But there were no early second half goals and with fifteen minutes left it looked to be heading to extra-time. Then an Ashford clearance hit the referee and fell nicely into the path of a Cray player, who from the edge of the box crashed his shot against the underside of the bar and down over the goal line, 2-1.

Cray tails were now up and with only ten minutes left, centre half Danny Keene's headed back pass got caught in the wind and fell short of keeper Burt, the Cray striker raced onto the ball and tucked it away for 3-1. Town pushed forward in desperation to get back in the game and Mike Williams managed to grab a late consolation goal on his debut, but by then the game was as good as over.

Ashford Town 4-3-3:

M.Burt, D.Shearing, D.Keene, L.Harvey, D.Scorer, L.Holman, M.Zural, L.Wickett-Padgham (capt), A.Mercer, B.Jordan, F.Comperetto.

Subs; M.Williams, A.Marr.

Ashford Town 1 (R.Strand) v Canterbury City 3. (09/09/2007)

Player of match Daniel Shearing.

Town Under 18's first home league fixture at Homelands on Sunday morning was against Canterbury City. After training hard during the week the Under 18's were hoping to improve on last weeks disappointing result. For the first twenty minutes Town were the better side, the passing and movement was excellent and Canterbury were struggling to contain them. Town striker Dan Cornell was caught offside a couple of times and Town's early pressure looked to be building. Despite winning several corners and Dan Cornell hitting the post from a tight angle ten yards out, Town were finding it difficult to find the back of the net. Then as the half continued, Town started to tire and could not keep up the quick tempo they had started with.

Then Canterbury started to get a hold on the game and worked some good opportunities of their own, the best chance resulting in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box, that flew into the top corner, giving Canterbury a one nil lead. Town Keeper Matt Burt and defenders Danny Keen and Laurence Harvey did not deserve to see the ball in the back of the Ashford net and had never really been troubled before.

The second half saw Ashford regain some of the momentum and the introduction of sub Metin Zural gave them some extra urgency through midfield. But Ashford paid the price for pushing forward looking for an early equaliser, as Canterbury punished them with an early second goal, 0-2.

But Ashford pushed on for a goal, and from a Town corner Ryan Strand popped up on the left and floated in a quality cross that City couldn't deal and resulted in them giving away a penalty. As last week Ryan Strand stepped up to dispatch the penalty in the right hand corner, and Town had a lifeline.

Town now had their tails up, and with sub Sheldon Clottey playing with pace down the left, Town started to threaten. Bill Beaney was now finding more of the ball tucked into a more central role and skipped past Cities lunging tackles to fire one or two speculative shots goalward. Town captain Louis Wickett-Padgham was also finding more space in central midfield as City tired and he played two through balls for Ryan Strand down the channel, but Ryan cutting in from the right saw both attempts saved by the City keeper.

Ryan also looked certain to score from a diving header but again the City keeper blocked from 6 yards out. The game was over when a deflected City shot from the edge of the box beat the unsighted Ashford keeper Matt Burt to make it 1-3. Again, as last week the scoreline flattered the opposition, but the Under 18's need to work on their 4-3-3 tactics and try to kick start their season with a win at Ramsgate next weekend.

Ashford's Player of the match was Daniel Shearing who had another good game despite having to play out of his natural position at left back.

Ashford Town 18's

M.Burt, A.Mercer, D.Keen, L.Harvey, D.Shearing, L.Hollman, B.Jordan, L.Wickett-Padgham, B.Beaney, D.Cornell, R.Strand. Subs, M.Zural, S.Clottey, C.Mairs.