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#Post#: 531--------------------------------------------------
Ashford United 1 East Grinstead 1
By: John Pease. Date: October 14, 2017, 1:35 pm
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ASHFORD UNITED 1 EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1
Bostick League South Division
Saturday 14th October 2017
by John Pease.
At the beginning of the week I hoped that Ashford would
negotiate the two “six pointers” against first Shoreham and then
East Grinstead to maximum effect. These hopes came crashing
down with the defeat at Shoreham and today’s tepid draw with
East Grinstead. This was a result that did neither club any
favours although I can well believe the visitors were whistling
the theme tune from “The Great Escape” at the close.
There was an air of optimism before kick off with the welcome
sight of Stuart Zanone back on board together with Jack Healey
plus new signing Tommy Cooney. Unfortunately, Ashford
maintained their recent habit of making the opposition look
better than they really were from the start. This resulted in
the visitors taking the lead with barely five minutes gone.
This was a dreadful goal to give away and started when Charlie
Dickens decided to fanny about with a routine clearance. This
resulted in a poor pass to his defensive colleagues who lost out
in the scramble leaving an un-marked Charlie Postance to score
with ease. For the next ten minutes East Grinstead looked more
composed with Ashford struggling to find their shape.
Thankfully, all that changed in the 16th minute. Ashford were
awarded a free kick on the right flank, just outside the box,
following a crude foul on Joe Bingham. Up stepped Tom Cooney
to hit a hard low shot which missed everyone and finished up in
the net. This was just the lift the home side needed and they
proceeded to take a grip on the game. Within minutes a fine
attack found Zanone feeding a lovely pass to Matt Day but his
finish was woeful. Having Zanone back in the side was making a
big difference for, at last, here was a target man who could win
headers and chase down half chances. Ashford were getting
better the longer the half went on but too often the final ball
was poor or players were not correctly reading the attacking
options. East Grinstead did cause a flutter when Kyle Spence
outstripped two defenders but his shot went straight to Aaron
Lee Wharton. Before the half closed Zanone again fed Day but
this time his shot brought a good save out of Oshane Brown.
There were genuine expectations that Ashford would go on and win
the game especially when they dominated the opening fifteen
minutes of the second half. First Zanone chased down a long
ball and crossed to Tyrell R-B who fired in a decent shot only
to see it scrambled off the line. Then Tyrell cut in from the
left but fired wide and, just after the hour mark, beat a
defender but fired just over the bar. East Grinstead responded
in the 72nd minute, with a dangerous attack, but the game
started to stagnate and slip away from the home side. With
fifteen minutes to go Ashford manager Jason Whitmore replaced
Matt Day with Gareth Williams. Better late than never.
Williams was soon in the action firing a decent shot straight at
Brown. Then it was the turn of home keeper Lee Wharton to
earn applause with a good stop. Ben Davisson was working his
socks off in an attempt to prompt a decisive attack and the
visitors, to their credit, upped their game and went looking for
a winner knowing that a draw was of little benefit. With the
game deep into time added on Ashford should have secured all
three points. Tom Cooney picked out the un-marked substitute
Micky Phillips standing about five yards out from goal. It
looked like a simple chance but Phillips somehow failed to
connect properly and the ball went behind for a goal kick. I
don't think he will want to watch the film of the game.
So the faithful trooped away from Homelands disappointed but not
yet down and out. However, certain truths have to be faced.
At least two of the Ashford players are simply not good enough
at this level and someone needs to tell Jason that it is not a
crime to substitute players before the 75th minute.
The Ashford team was as follows:- Aaron Lee Wharton, Adam
Phillips, Charlie Dickens, Jack Healey, Joe Bingham (Mickey
Phillips – 86 mins), Pat Kingwell, Tom Cooney, Ben Davisson,
Stuart Zanone, Matt Day (Gareth Williams – 75 mins), Tyrell
Richardson-Brown.
Subs not used = George Humber, Jon Difford and Clark Woodcock.
Attendance = 260
M.O.M.? = I must give praise to Pat Kingwell, Stuart Zanone and
Tyrell R-B but vote went to the ever industrious Ben Davisson.
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