Actonians 3 - 0 Ashford Town

Back to back away games to start 2024 and after a trip to Cambridge last week the As made the much shorter journey to face Ashford Town this afternoon. A 16-strong squad included new signing Ikraam Mohamed who was one of today’s substitutes.

The game could not have started better. In the first minute Tori ran through the Ashford defence and her shot went in off the post to give the As an early lead. The next effort on goal was in the 9th minute when Ale’s free kick landed on the roof of the net. From the 17th minute a long period of Actonians dominance began. Tori went through on goal again but this time fired her shot over the bar and a minute late Shakes had a shot collected by the keeper. That was quickly followed by Tori cutting in from the left hand side but this time seeing her shot hit the post. Ale tried her luck with an overhead kick in the 29th minute which went wide but straight from the restart Actonians doubled their lead. Tori quickly won the ball back and fired her shot into the back of the net. 2-0.

A great cross from Molly left Amber with a chance to make it three but unfortunately she could not find the target. I’m the 44th minute Ale was brought down for what looked like a clear penalty but the referee waved play on. Tori went close to getting her hat trick in the 45th minute but the keeper was out to block her last touch. Half time 2-0.

The second began with Actonians continuing to be on the front foot. Ale had a 52nd minute left foot volley go wide but sixty seconds later it was 3-0. Tori through again unselfishly squared the ball to the better placed Shakes who found the bottom corner of the net. With an hour gone Shakes was replaced by Camila and handed the armband over to Isi. Tori cut in from yet another run on the left in the 62nd minute and it took 2 defenders to block her effort. Molly came close to getting onto the end of an Amber cross In the 66th minute. Then in the 68th minute it was a debut for Ikraam when she replaced Tori. Jas went close to extending the lead in the 75th minute but her header from Amber’s corner went narrowly wide. The efforts continued to come thick and fast. Molly had a shot blocked in the 76th minute and on 78 minutes Camila’s shot was tipped out for a corner. Further changes in the 80th minute when Chi and Keishia came on to replace Ale and Molly. Olivia had a header in the 81st minute cleared from what was judged to be off the line with a few claims that the ball actually did cross the line. In the 88th minute Jas went close but her shot drew a good save from the keeper and the scoring was done. Full-time and a 3-0 win.

A superb victory for the As against a team currently higher placed in the league. Ashford really didn’t offer anything at all going forward and it could have been a much bigger scoreline in the end and the team can be very proud of keeping a clean sheet. With 2 goals and an assist to her name today’s Player of the Match really picked itself so well done to Tori. Finally back to Rectory Park 10 weeks after the last home game next week with Sutton United the visitors in a cup tie.

Report and Photo by Neil Hayward