Ashford Town 2-2 Walton Casuals - Your luck runs out when you're down the bottom, rues Lovell

Wednesday 27th January 2010

ASHFORD TOWN 2-2 WALTON CASUALS
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 27^th January 2010
Mike Green reports from Homelands Stadium

FOOTBALL can be a very cruel game indeed!

Having not played a home league game since October 24th (incredibly 95 days ago) Ashford Town were denied two vital points at the foot of Ryman One South as they first conceded a needless penalty in first half stoppage time, then had keeper Josh Willis stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage and
then conceded the equaliser again from the spot - in the 92nd minute!

All in all not a happy night for boss Steve Lovell, who told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, "I'm disappointed tonight!"

"I know they say when you're down the bottom the lucks against you, and I can tell you that its true. Again tonight - we're cruising at 2-0 and then they get a penalty in the 45th minute, just before half time, and then we're hanging on for most of the second half and then they go and get another penalty in the 95th minute or what ever it was - disappointing as the boys worked hard especially given the three injuries that we had during the game that upset us.

“First half we played really well and could have won the game being three or four up - and should have been. Losing the players after half time disrupted us but we deserved at the very least a point from the game."

Ashford started so brightly too as on 19 minutes Mitchell Sherwood was upended in the box and referee Ian Crouch had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Sherwood himself dusted himself down only to see Chico Ramos in the Casuals goal produce a stunning save full length to his left to turn the ball aside.

It was overheard that it was the first time that Sherwood had ever missed from the spot!

Ashford did take the lead ten minutes later though on 28 minutes.

Ryan Briggs low drive clipped a defender forcing Ramos into a brilliant finger tipped save. Unfortunately for the keeper the ball rebounded to Joe Fuller who buried the chance from six yards.

One became two sixty seconds later. This time it was a Briggs free kick which Lee Hockey powered a header home from the far post!

Walton then against the run of play were awarded their fist spot kick in first half stoppage time. Laurence Harvey was adjudged to have fouled the rampaging Grant Bolger. Michael Barima converted the kick with Willis valiantly getting his left hand to the ball!

The second half began quietly until just past the hour mark Ashford keeper Willis was carried off with suspected knee ligament damage after the most innocuous of challenges from Leon Yarnie.

This delay seemed to upset Ashford, as the Casuals were now dominant force without really testing sub Ashford keeper Scott Chalmers Stevens - until added time that is when Yarnie was felled in the box. Again Barima stepped forward and this time Barima drilled home the equaliser.

"Theres a lot of positives to come out of the game tonight them again and it’s been like that all season,” added Lovell.

“But at the start of 2010 we're three games in and we haven't been beaten, but it’s four points that we should have got Saturday (at Whyteleafe) and again tonight that we've lost due to no fault of our own!

Speaking about the attendance figure of just 83, Lovell said: “If people want to come out and support then they'll come and support us! To be fair there’s Man united against City on the box; its a cold wet night, but we had a crowd here and they are the people that we focus on and ask for their support as they are the ones who turn out for us and the ones I've got time for. People who don't won't to support us won't come and it’s as simple as that!"

Ashford Town: Josh Willis (Scott Chalmers Stevens 67), Laurence Harvey (Carl Harrold 46), Danny Lye, Ross Morley, Lee Hockey, Ryan Briggs, Mitchell Sherwood, Joe Fuller, Mark Lovell, Tom Murphy (Kevin Swaisland 59), Nick Smith.
Subs: Matt Newman, Danny Shearing

Goals: Joe Fuller 28, Lee Hockey 29

Booked: Laurence Harvey 45, Mitchell Sherwood 90

Walton Casuals: Chico Ramos, Mark Walker, Carl Gastang, Craig Lewington, Jake Jenkins, Kristian Webb (Jeffrey Jackson 46), Michael Barima, Gavin Bolger (Dean Gunner 89), Martin Grant, Leon Yarnie, Anthony Gale (Troy Ferguson 74).
Subs: Daniel Lawson, James Crowe

Goals: Michael Barima 45 (penalty), 90 (penalty)

Attendance: 83
Referee: Mr Ian Crouch (New Eltham)
Assistants: Mr Baris Erguven (Brighton, East Sussex) & Mr Martyn Milligan