FARNHAM TN 1, ASHFORD TN 2
Farnham deserved a point for their gutsy display and should have levelled the scores in the last two minutes when Joe Sowden, with a chance for glory, missed from four yards out.
“We deserved something from the game and Ashford’s relief showed massively,” said manager Paul Tanner who had seen his side lose 5-0 at Camberley the week before.
“This was a much more positive game and that was a plus for me. Playing 4-3-1-2 seemed to work well on the day.”
The Middlesex side enjoyed most of the possession, but their goal led a charmed life in the closing stages as Farnham pushed hard for an equaliser.
The Memorial Ground has not been a happy hunting ground over the years for Ashford, so they were happy to come away with the points after a gruelling slog on a heavy pitch with a bone-chilling wind.
Farnham defended well, but then blotted their copy-book at a corner when a thumping header from Scott Weight gave Matt Petts no chance.
Three minutes before half-time, Farnham equalised, also with a header as Elliott Cardona got on the end of John?Lancashire’s cross.
Farnham were never out of the game, but it was Ashford who scored what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes.
And it was a very simple goal. A goalkeeper’s clearance found Jack Beadle on the left and he turned inside his marker before shooting low into the corner of the net.
Bradley Wainwright shot straight at Petts when he had a great chance to put the game beyond Farnham.
It could have proved an expensive miss as Farnham’s forceful play forced Ashford onto the back foot for the last 20 minutes, and then Sowden had that late chance to win the game.
Farnham travel to AFC Hayes this Saturday. On Tuesday, they visit Southern Counties East League side Croydon in the Surrey Senior Cup