Ashford Town 2-1 Godalming Town

Ian Wright watched on at the Homelands as two first half goals eased Ashford Town to a win over relegation rivals Godalming, writes Jack Wilson.

And the former England and Arsenal striker would certainly have been impressed, as the Nuts and Bolts were two goals up inside 20 minutes thanks to strikes from Ian Ross and Joby Thorogood.

Michael Ruffles pulled one back late on for the visitors, but Ashford held on to swap places with the G’s.

In their first game for three weeks John Cumberbatch gave new signing Tom McGowen a start at left back, whist Ambrose Kamara made his first start in centre midfield.

And Ashford Town started brightly on a warm day at the Homelands, and they nearly
took the lead when Kevin Lott’s angled drive was met by the head of Joby Thorogood, only for his effort to rattle off the bar.

George Fenwick was first to the rebound but his effort was cleared off the line by Godalming’s captain James Mariner.

However, Ashford Town burst into life with a delightful double salvo. Firstly Ross powered a firm left-footed shot across keeper Parkinson from inside the area on 17 minutes, then Joby Thorogood struck a 25-yard wonderstrike past the rooted Parkinson just three minutes later.

Although it was despair for Thorogood two minutes before half time, as the diminutive striker was stretchered off after an innocuous challenge with the G’s left midfielder Shaun Elliott.

This left Walid Matata to come off the bench for his first appearance sincethe injury he picked up against Dover.

Despite starting the second half better than they had done the first, the visitors only called Whincup into action the once in the opening exchanges, with Liam Grier finding acres of space only to tamely shoot into the goalkeeper’s arms.

At the other end it was Ashford who looked the more likely and Lott was unlucky not to further extend his side’s lead when his surging run was thwarted by a wonderful save from Parkinson.

But Ashford Town fans were forced to endure a nervy last six minutes when Godalming halved the lead against the run of play. A long throw from the right touchline sailed over the head of Tom McGowen, leaving Michael Ruffles to beat Simon Glover and slide the ball past Whincup at his near post.

There was only one side in the game from that point on, as Town’s lack of match fitness began to show.

Chris Boulter headed a corner from the right inches over the upright, whilst goalscorer Ruffles flashed a shot wide.

Although it was Ashford who held on to earn three vital points that eases them out of the relegation zone, and leaves their opponents Godalming languishing in 21^st place in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Hastings United, just two points behind leaders Maidstone United, can leap frog over the Stones for at least 24 hours if they win at Ashford Town on Tuesday night.

Ashford then travel to Leatherhead next Saturday.

Ashford Town: Jake Whincup, Tom Adlington (Jamie Smith 89), Tom McGowen, Simon Glover, Marc Cumberbatch, Ambrose Kamara, Kevin Lott, Joe Hitchings, Joby Thorogood (Walid Matata 43), George Fenwick, Ian Ross (Steve Sodje 78).
Subs: Ken Jarrett-Elliott, Graham Porter

Godalming Town: Andy Parkinson, Simon Hamilton (Jack Hollins 28), Martin Beard, James Mariner, Jon Bushnell, Chris Boulter, Glen Stanley, Liam Grier, Ahmed Tchankou (Jamie Laister 45), Michael Ruffles, Shaun Elliott
Subs: Joe Chandrion, Shaun Lydon

Man of the Match: Ian Ross

Attendance : 175