Ash Trees 1 Geordies 4

[Swifty]

In the end, a complete embarrassment.

 

The day started surreally with home fans’ usual spaces on the Tangerine Terrace taken over by two prams and a couple of young families, and the visitors wearing the same colour shorts as us, which I thought wasn’t allowed in this league.

 

With James away in Belgium, and Weighty and Jabir away for reasons unknown, we looked a bit light in centre attack and also on the bench, but we still had a team strong enough on paper to win. Having played well enough to get five points from the last three defeats, we got what we deserved today.

 

As early as the sixth minute, a left wing cross found Geordies captain Oliver Duffy completely unmarked to head in at the far post. The possible game changer came on the quarter hour, when a lovely through ball saw captain Sami (my man of the match along with Mitch) round keeper Sam Bunting and hit the ball goalwards from a tightish angle 15 yards out, but the shot’s low trajectory saw it slow down on the drizzly muddy surface and it was superbly cleared off the line. With 19 gone, a bit of pinball saw Tyler make a save but Wayne Carter looped a shot over our prone keeper from close in.

 

Having started very slowly, and gifted two goals, by this stage we probably deserved to be level and, in the 25th, our tenacity was rewarded when a blocked free kick was passed by Dan down the wing for Jack to cross and Webby slotted the ball low and in. We played well enough for the rest of the half and should have gone in at least level but frustratingly went in 2-1 down at the break, at which point we were treated to the Ashford manager walking across the pitch and close to the Tangerine Terrace to complain at the fans about their lack of encouragement (and, possibly, infrequent complaints in the first half).

 

I’m not sure how many people the retort was aimed at, but I’ve watched Ashford for nearly thirty years and encouraged when it’s deserved and, when I criticise, I very rarely single out a single player for criticism or swear at the side. I pay good money to come in and see the lads, with the intention of enjoying the game regardless of the result, and I / we have a right to voice our opinion. What was probably meant as a rallying cry actually alienated a good number of home supporters and had completely the opposite effect, as shown by the second half silences.

 

In any case, any chance we had of encouraging the lads evaporated just four minutes after the restart, when Tyler miscued a clearance for the easiest goal Peter Dean will score all season. Hanwell were up for it by this stage and added a fourth with a fine cross-goal shot by Harvey Killeen in the 78th. Then it went from bad to worse.

 

Nine minutes from time a goalmouth melee saw Mitch given a straight red, possibly for a sliding tackle to try and win the ball, though Mitch and a number of supporters nearby were mystified by the decision. The icing on the cake came when substitute Lori Festus lasted just 16 minutes on the pitch – on in the 76th, booked 30 seconds later for a clumsy challenge and given a second yellow in the 92nd for a similar foul. If that was his debut it’s quite possibly the shortest in the first team’s history.

 

For the third time in five weeks we lost to the side second from bottom, and we let Hanwell do the double. I know one of Aylesbury United’s fans, and that’s the only reason I’m turning up for Tuesday’s match following today’s events.

[Gibbo]

New players needed and quick , it’s a good job we’ve got a few points in the bag already as it would be a struggle if we didn’t . We need a new spine of the team , centre back , a vocal midfield player who can organise and encourage the boys and a goal scorer at the other end To add a bit of competition for places.

[Swifty]

Can we afford new players? Look at our bench today. Not much experience there apart from Ginger Bobby Moore.

 

If we can afford it, and it's a big "if", we need to reinstate the reserve team again soon - use as many of the willing under 18's as necessary but give other players (fringe / subs who need more game time / coming back from injury) places in a reserve team and maybe give us more strength in depth via more pitch time with any luck.

 

Regarding your wish for more players in certain roles, we have a vocal midfield player and a goal scorer (who doesn't play the traditional number 9 role which would suit his game better), plus another player who's useful up front - unfortunately, they're the three lads I mentioned who were all missing today.

[Gibbo]

Mitchell is going back to his parent club , rumour has it that Max Herbert is in talks with a new club , Scott Weight is injured , for some reason Ben doesn’t give Jabir a start up top , Russ has a back injury and is 36 and Dan couldn’t his a cows arse with a banjo at the moment. Oh and Alex looks like he’s picked up a knock and the new boy got sent off.

There’s player playing a local clubs in the CCL who could do a job at Ashford I’m sure.

[Tel]

Regarding CCL players, on my travels around the CCL you hear whispers that some of the top players are earning very good money where they are at the moment, playing step 5 local football.

 

Westfield have a bunch of very good players, most would fit into any step 4 club.

 

All any team needs to have a good squad is M O N E Y!!!

 

We have to be happy with what we’ve got.

 

We are a Step 4 club already, many teams are trying to reach our level

 

Tangerine is the colour

[Gibbo]

Really, are you happy watching average teams roll us over time and time again ? Yahya and Kam have left the club Bitz and Joe are injured and we’ve not replaced any of them .