Windsor & Eton vs Ashford Town

Match Report

We faced Ashford Town exactly a month ago on the 28th of February, which ended in a 2-2 draw. We came into this game 4th in the table looking to make it four wins out of four. Here’s how we got on… 

Ashford Town tested Finley Purcell in goal early doors. The free kick was whipped in right into the six-yard box, which Purcell had to punch out not once but twice, out for a corner to avert the danger. 

Goal Ashford Town. 1-0. The corner was swung in and Germaine Dua rosed highest to get a header on target. It was a great reactionary save from Purcell but the rebound was found and fired in by striker Jack Arnold.  

Morrison Hashi looked to create at the other end, he turned away from his man before trying to clip the ball into the area but the end result was a goal kick. 

The away side had an attempt from a volley through number 10 Brad Marshall after the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box but his shot blazed over the net. 

Ross McKernan was fouled 35 yards out, a free kick centre of the goal in a dangerous position. Luke Phillips stepped up and hit a solid strike that dipped dangerously at the last second which caused goalkeeper Liam Allen to fumble at first before retaining the ball. 

Our set piece specialist Phillips whipped in a dangerous delivery from the corner, which found the head of former Ashford Town player, Tre Woolliscroft. The defender unfortunately just got under the header and could not direct it on target.  

The away side won back possession in our half before Allen flicked the ball round the corner for Zidan Akens, who fired his shot straight into the gloves of Purcell. 

At the half hour mark, we created a great chance to level it through an attack down the left wing. Captain Luke Appleton sprayed a brilliant ball which picked out Phillips on the flank whose trickery found his half a yard before he delivered a cross that was just behind Hashi but found its way to an onrushing Bruno Dos Santos who fired a shot at goal. Allen in goal held on to the low drive from the midfielder.  

Ashford Town get another, and it was Jack Arnold with his brace for the match. After the save from Dos Santos, Allen launched a long ball up which found Jack Beadle on the wing. The cross from the No.11 came in for Arnold to tap home. 

Phillips had an effort from range after some good interplay with Hashi. Our No.7 cut in on his favoured left foot but saw his effort fly over the bar. Promising signs up front. 

The first half ended with the visitors two goals up thanks to a Jack Arnold double. 

We had a great chance to get one back as the Ashford defence threw everything on the line to block the shots. Kieren Jordan intercepted the ball on the edge of the area before playing a beautiful chip over for Thumwood to latch on to. Our top scorer’s shot was saved and smothered by Allen but spilled the ball which Hashi picked up before he shifted it onto his left foot and fired a shot but was blocked before finally being cleared.  

The team from Middlesex countered and Purcell was called into action, having to get down to save a low drive from a long way out. 

Our set pieces created chances once more as we troubled the visitors’ defence. A Phillips ball in found substitute Ben Catt who chested it down for Tre Wooliscroft who cut onto his left foot but unfortunately couldn’t find the target with the effort. 

Allen was needed again and kept Ashford in it as Hashi played in Ethan Darcey who bared down on goal. The goalkeeper stuck out a leg and saved Darcey’s attempt. Our winger gets another chance, but his shot deflected narrowly wide. 

Darcey clipped in a great ball which Phillips controlled before hitting sweetly on the volley but just misses the target. We were certainly dominating the chances in the second half. 

On the 75th minute we won a penalty after Ross McKernan was tripped in the box. Thumwood stepped up but saw his effort saved as Allen guessed the right way and got down low to his left to save. It was a great save as the shot was driven low into the corner by Thumwood. 

We have one final effort in the last moments of the game. A free kick got launched up and into the box and caused commotion and lead to Allen have to make save down to his left. The ball dropped to Phillips whose left footed attempt just whistled wide of the post. 

Unfortunately for the lads we couldn’t get the result we wanted, as Ashford Town now go top. We have eight league games left with 24 points left to play and four games in hand on Ashford Town. 

We play third placed Broadfields United on the 31st of March, another home game and we hope to take all three points at Stag Meadow. 

– Samuel Scrace