DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
AUFC
HTML https://aufc.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Match Reports
*****************************************************
#Post#: 556--------------------------------------------------
Ashford United 1 Hastings United 3
By: John Pease. Date: November 11, 2017, 1:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ASHFORD UNITED 1 HASTINGS UNITED 3
Bostik League South Division
Saturday 11th November 2017
by John Pease.
I'm beginning to think that Ashford United should re-name
themselves Ashford Waterloo because, since the last home game,
it has been a case of “all change”. Gone from the playing
staff are the Zanone brothers, Tyrell R-B, Luke Eldridge, Jason
Hollick and George Humber plus coaches Shaun Holland and Mark
Irvine. Drafted in we welcomed James Fitchett, Kwabena Osei,
Andrew Dalhouse and a returning Ira Jackson Jnr.
Unfortunately, the old adage “the more things change the more
they stay the same” shone through.
As the two teams took to the field I was expecting to see
Hastings in their usual claret and blue but they were done out
in a startling (some would say hideous) day glow yellow.
However, on the up side it was noted they they were extremely
well supported.
The early exchanges saw Ashford go close through Max Watters and
Hastings go closer through Callum Davies who muffed a good
chance. However, little did we know this was to be an
afternoon to remember for the Hastings number nine. Ashford
were creating more chances but failing to make them count with
first Ira Jackson and then Andrew Dalhouse going close but not
close enough. The best chance came in the 26th minute when
Watters beat his marker and picked out Dalhouse, some five yards
out, but his side foot finish went wide of the post. Then it
was the turn of Jackson to hit a free kick over the bar when it
looked easier to test their keeper. Ashford were looking the
better side but were punished in the 40th minute. Kwabena Osei
lost the ball in the mid field area and Hastings broke away.
The ball eventually found it's way to Callum Davies who fired it
wide of Aaron Lee Wharton. Hastings very nearly added a second
as the half came to a close. So, once again, Ashford were
punished for their inability to convert chances into goals.
However it must be said that their cause was not helped by some
poor decisions by the referee and the near side lino.
If Ashford looked the better side in the first half it must be
reported that they were totally outplayed in the second. I
don't know what the Hastings manager said to his men during the
break but they ensured that Ashford were on the back foot for
large chunks of the second period, Indeed, I reckon that the
Hastings keeper did not have to handle the ball for almost
twenty minutes at one stage. Hastings should have done better
on 65 minutes when Sam Cruttwell fired over the bar but he went
much closer a minute later. Three minutes later Dayjhonne
Golding fired a chance straight at Lee Wharton but with the
clock showing 70 minutes Hastings added number two. Ashford
were pushing forward trying to get back into the game but left a
gap in the middle and this allowed Callum Davies to break free
and whack the ball into the net. I can't fault Ashford for
trying but they were being outsmarted all over the pitch and did
themselves no favours with poor distribution and passing.
Things looked up in the 79th minute when defender Fraser Walker
beat three defenders to set up a chance. They looked even
better in the 80th minute when Ashford scored. The hard
working Andrew Dalhouse brushed aside a defender on the left and
squared the ball to the un-marked Matt Day who made no mistake.
Game on? Not really because in the 86th minute Ashford gave
away a terrible goal. They had won a corner on the right.
This was taken by young Ira Jackson and was awful. It was easy
pickings for the Hastings defence who quickly transferred the
ball up field to Callum Davies. He sped clear of what remained
on the home defence and smashed the ball past Lee Wharton to
complete his hat trick. So ended yet another disappointing
afternoon at Homelands but, at least, Hythe did us a favour by
winning at Shoreham.
The Ashford team was as follows:- Aaron Lee Wharton, Fraser
Walker, Thomas Cooney, James Fitchett, Kwabena Osei, Pat
Kingwell (capt), Max Watters (Mat Day – 62 mins), Ben Davisson
(Jon Difford – 75 mins), Andrew Dalhouse, Joseph Bingham, Ira
Jackson.
Subs not used = Clark Woodcock, Brandon Williams, Jack Healey.
Attendance = 368
M.O.M.? = My vote went to Pat Kingwell who tried his hardest to
rally the troops when Hastings were dominating.
The new boys? = I liked the look of Andrew Dalhouse who has
clearly played at a higher level but his team mates need to get
on the same wavelength. Ira Jackson had a decent game and has
got plenty of speed. Probably not quite match fit but please
give free kick and corner duties to someone else. James
Fitchett looks a good prospect in tandem with Pat Kingwell.
Not too sure yet about Kwabena Osei who, I thought, got caught
in possession too often. Maybe he needs a few more games.
#Post#: 557--------------------------------------------------
Re: Ashford United 1 Hastings United 3
By: philipbarham Date: November 14, 2017, 9:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the report, John. (Just managed to access it, as I
have been without broadband since early on Friday !).
Yes, there has certainly been a revolving door at Homelands, and
I suppose we can expect more changes as the new coach gets his
feet under the table. Generally, I feel that things are moving
in the right direction. Getting that first win is vitally
important, of course. Shoreham's six-point deduction will help
us - but there's no substitute for winning on the pitch.
*****************************************************