There is only one piece of midweek action for the Club this week and that comes tomorrow evening (Wednesday), when Ashford Reserves play their first ever match in the Capital League, away to Wealdstone Res, kick-off 7.45 p.m.  Manager Ben Murray is on holiday in Portugal so the team will be under the control of Neil Cummings.  It is likely that the squad will consist of those 1^st Team squad players who need some game time plus a mixture of Under 18 players.

Belatedly, the Club welcomes our new groundsman Ben Jacobs who has built upon the good work done by Andy Frost, to produce an impressive surface.  Ben, as well as being a professional groundsman, also plays for Ashford’s tenants, Staines Lammas so he has an inbuilt interest in maintaining the excellent surface.  It is certainly doing the Lammas no harm as they swept to the top of the CCL with two wins over the weekend.

Also belatedly, we can report that the Under-18’s managed a 6-0 victory in last Thursday’s friendly against Hanworth Villa.  Here is Ben Murray’s report: 

“A Conor Moody brace, helped the Under 18s on their way to a decisive and comprehensive victory over at Hanworth Villa on Thursday night.
On a night where forward Jack Taylor made his first appearance of the season, the young tangerines provided the watching crowd with a strong and structured performance against determined and physical opponents.
The first goal came from a Mitchell Fountain strike early in the game, which allowed the lads to grow with confidence; followed by a fantastic strike by young winger Jamal, who struck an unstoppable effort from all over 30 yards.
Moody’s first goal of the evening gave Ashford their third, which included some encouraging link up play with Taylor.  Taylor himself scored the fourth and Moody scored Town’s fifth, which completed a spell of dominance where the goals were free flowing from the two forwards.  The final goal of the evening was scored by substitute forward Jabir Laraba, on his debut for the tangerines, who slotted home comfortably and making a run through the heart of the defence.
Manager Ben Murray added, “Tonight was a good workout. The lads have worked hard this week, we have had them in three times, but what is crucial is that all the lads are becoming available again, after the summer break. Mitch is really impressing in his gameplay, he’s intelligent and has great character and is a great addition to the squad. It’s good to see JT back and I’m really proud of the way that Conor Moody is performing. A few new lads have come in, noticeably Jabir, who has only just begun training after a broken ankle, but he is a clever player and one I am looking forward to working with.”

In the meantime Bairoh Conteh, just one of Ashford’s promising Under 18 squad has been called up by the County for their match this coming Sunday against Huntingdon FA, to be played on Sunday at Rayners Lane FC.

Both sides contributed to an interesting match, with no shortage of action and plenty of goals.  AFC Hayes, managed by ex-Ashford player Dale Welch, were quicker out of the blocks and with Ashford having allowed the opposition to go two goals up in every league match they have played so far this season, there were groans when the visitors took the lead within three minutes, with a good finish from Dennys Mahajaron.

Things were different on this occasion though,  with Ashford finding the equaliser within two minutes, when man of the match Scott Weight rose powerfully to head home Jordan Kiffin’s corner.

That lead to Ashford’s best period of the match, with further goals coming in the 17^th and 18^th minutes repectively.  The first of these saw Jordan Kiffin benefit from a sublime dummy from Jamie Lawrence and he gave visiting keeper Grant no chance with his finish.  The next one saw Jones Awuah who has been prolific this season so far, score for the fourth consecutive match.

Ashford seemed to be cruising but a stoppage for a hold-up for an injury to keeper Pearce seemed to knock them out of their rhythm.  Pearce resumed and soon afterwards denied the visitors a lifeline back into the match with a superb penalty save.

Hal-time came and the AFC Hayes players were obliged to remain on the field to hear the thoughts of their manager over the first period.  They must have paid attention because within fifteen seconds of the re-start, Ashford kicked off, lost the ball and Danilson Vicente scored a good goal.   There was a hint of a foul that lead to him retaining the ball, but referee Gillett was not interested.  They almost scored again a minute later, a fierce effort rebounding from the woodwork.

Shortly afterwards, Ashford suffered a double hit when Pearce landed heavily upon his already damaged leg and had to be carried off, no easy task.  On came 16 year old Jordan Dawson and when he dropped his first catch, AFC were sniffing blood.  Well assisted by the likes of Russ Canderton and Jim Mann though, Dawson grew in confidence and Ashford gradually weathered the storm.  Chamal Fenelon, on as a sub following an enforced period of absence, looked powerful and one great run almost produced a goal but Grant dived bravely at the big striker’s feet.  Awuah then almost broke the bar with another effort and as the match reached its conclusion, the points were in the bag, a win over decent opposition, that sees Ashford up to eighth place in the table.