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#Post#: 502--------------------------------------------------
Ashford United 0 Carshalton Athletic 1
By: John Pease. Date: August 14, 2017, 2:30 am
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ASHFORD UNITED 0 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 1
Bostik League South Division.
Saturday 12th August 2017
by John Pease.
Barbara and I had been unable to attend any pre-season
friendlies so this was out first visit to Homelands since the
29th April. I must say we were most impressed by what we saw.
The ground really looked the part with numerous sponsor boards
now on display. The pitch appeared superb and the far side of
the ground fully repaired and restored. The electronic score
board was once more in operation. The refurbished up stairs
bar was bigger and better and, to be fair, so was the match day
programme. A much appreciated touch was being presented with a
team sheet by Denise Peach who, later on, also supplied a print
out of future games.
However, my heart sunk a little when I studied the Ashford line
up. The only new name was Tyrell Richardson-Brown who, I had
been already advised, seemed merely to fill in the spot vacated
by Ryan Palmer. There was no sign of Shaun Welford or of any
of the younger players who had impressed last season.
For the first ten minutes Ashford had more of the play but the
visitors defence and mid-field held firm well marshaled by their
number 4, Peter Adeniyi, who went on the virtually run the game
for the lads in red. Carshalton's ploy was clear namely to
release the ball quickly to their two speedy strikers Michael
Campbell and Mickel Miller. Having come through the first
period Carshalton started to dominate play and it took and great
saving header by Ashford's Pat Kingwell to prevent the visitor's
opening the score. With 15 minutes gone it was plain that
Carshalton, who finished sixth in the league last season, were a
cut above anyone faced by Ashford in the SCEFL. The home side
did break clear in the 20th minute but Tyrell R-B was flagged
offside. Carshalton responded at once and went close with a
22 yard free kick. With 24 minutes gone Ashford manager Danny
Lye was forced to call upon substitute Brandon Williams to
replace a clearly injured Chris Elliott. With half and hour
gone Carshalton were in command and playing some nice sweeping
football which pinned back the home side. Michael Phillips was
dropping deeper and deeper to accept the ball from the home
defenders to create the chance of some counter attacks. These
produced a couple of chances for first Rory Hill and then Tyrell
R-B but neither troubled visiting keeper Richard Ossai. Just
when we all thought Ashford had survived the first 45 minutes
Carshalton struck. Following good work by their number 2,
Bobby Price, the ball found it's way to an un-marked Brendan
Murphy-McVey who fired past Big George.
Into the second half and Rory Hill must have thought he would
score with a cracking shot only to see Ossai must a stunning
save. Ashford had raised their game but were still making
little headway against a well organised defence. Adrian Stone
has been introduced at the break to replace Dave Botterill who,
I thought, has struggled for the first forty five. However the
home side still lacked that punch up front that would surely
have been supplied by Shaun Welford and some younger quicker
lads. Carshalton were still dangerous on the break and it took
yet another great tackle from Pat Kingwell to rescue the home
side. The visitors seemed, at this stage, content to soak up
the pressure and not bother too much about adding to their
score. With an hour gone Michael Phillips tried his luck from
25 yards but hit his shot straight to Ossai. A couple of
minutes later he headed over following good work by Tyrell R-B.
With 66 minutes on the clock we witnessed the first incident
that changed the course of this game. Fraser Walker burst into
the Carshalton box from the right only to be brought down by a
crude tackle. A clear penalty to Ashford but who was going to
take it? Up stepped Rory Hill, a bit too quickly, to smash the
ball against the bar and thence to safety. Ten minutes later
Walker was badly injured and replaced by John Difford. The
second telling incident occurred in the 82nd minute. Pat
Kingwell brought down an attacker for what looked like a
penalty. To the anger of the home fans the referee produced a
red card and poor Pat was off for an early bath. To make
matters worse the referee only awarded a free kick about five
yards outside the area. I wasn't the only one to question how
on earth a red card could be issued in these circumstances.
For the remainder of the game Carshalton tried hard to score
more goals but were foiled time and again by Big George. So,
Ashford's first game back in the Bostik (Isthmian) League ended
in defeat and posed some worrying questions. Just how many of
Danny's squad are now match fit and what sort of team will he
put out for the visit to the dangerous South Park FC? Why did
we not see some of the younger players who impressed last
season? Can we expect some more new players to give us more
punch up front?
The Ashford team was as follows:- George Kamurasi, Fraser Walker
(John Difford – 77 mins), Chris Elliott (Brandon Williams – 24
mins), David Botterill (Adrian Stone – 46 mins), Richard Avery,
Pat Kingwell, Michael Phillips, Ben Davisson, Jason Goodchild,
Tyrell Richardson-Brown, Rory Hill.
Subs not used = Oliver Perkins and Aaron Lee-Wharton (GK)
Attendance = 289
M.O.M.? Forget the red card, my vote went to Pat Kingwell. I
lost count of the number of times he rescued the home side with
last ditch tackles or headers.
#Post#: 503--------------------------------------------------
Re: Ashford United 0 Carshalton Athletic 1
By: AUFCfan Date: August 15, 2017, 3:37 pm
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Lack of investment in the playing staff looks to have backfired
at this early stage. Those of us in the know knew that the team
that won SCEFL would have to be heavily upgraded to compete in
the league above.
A weak looking midfield was outclassed in the higher tier on
Saturday - Phillips and Botterill were passengers.
Thrashed 4-0 at South Park tonight and two sent off.
Just what this injury ravaged squad requires, not.
Discipline was an issue last season and this year appears no
different.
#Post#: 504--------------------------------------------------
Re: Ashford United 0 Carshalton Athletic 1
By: AUFCfan Date: August 15, 2017, 3:38 pm
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Make that 5-0.
#Post#: 505--------------------------------------------------
Re: Ashford United 0 Carshalton Athletic 1
By: John Pease. Date: August 17, 2017, 2:40 am
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I think the next two games will be critical and that AUFCfan may
well be right in assessing that the present squad is not strong
enough.
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