Terrific Ashford FC get back-on-track

Feb 24 2009 By John Whitbread, Staines News

RYMAN PREMIER Ashford Town......1 Dartford...........0

There was no disguising the delight at Short Lane on Saturday as Ashford put a definite full stop behind their recent slump.

The Tangerines stopped the rot with a 3-1 win at AFC Hornchurch the previous weekend.

But to overcome a promotion-challenging Dartford outfit, who had not lost a match or conceded a goal since late December, made this win extra special.

"I always thought that a performance and a result like this was coming, even when we were going through our bad run," said delighted manager Mark Butler.

"Saturday was hard work against a side bubbling with confidence. But we really coped well with their direct style.

"We were a little bit in awe of them early on, and they did start well with some dangerous setpieces.

"But at half-time I told the lads they were just as good as Dartford, and to go out and express themselves. When we upped the pace a bit we looked really good."

Backed by a large and noisy travelling support, Dartford looked very sharp early on and Vinnie O'Sullivan had to clear a header off the line from the dangerous Rob Haworth, who put another effort just over the bar.

Ashford hit back with Byron Harrison putting Ricky Wellard through for a fierce shot that deflected just wide.

But just before the interval Haworth put Lee Noble in on goal, only for the latter to fire just wide off the far post.

Dartford again started strongly after the inter-val and Howarth's header clipped the crossbar.

But it was Ashford who took the lead in the 50th minute.

Gavin Smith's excellent through-ball put Wellard in on the left, and his low angled shot beat keeper Andrew Young and resulted in a goalmouth scramble with Harrison forcing the ball home at the second attempt.

Wellard put a cheeky lob just wide and Harrison should have got a second, only to hesitate and allow Young to save at his feet.

But for most of the last half hour it was Dartford, who threw an extra player forward to pile on the pressure with Ashford being forced deeper and deeper.

Haworth flashed a header just over and substitute Kiran Dinerui saw his overhead kick bounce off the crossbar.