Ashford Town fall to angels of death

Mar 25 2009 By Terry Ryan, Staines News

RYMAN PREMIER Tonbridge Angels...................................3 Ashford Town.........................................2

ASHFORD leaked three goals in the dying minutes as they suffered a heartbreaking defeat at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

After a goalless first-half, Warren Harris and Byron Harrison fired them into a 2-0 lead that looked set to hand them their second victory in three days following Thursday's win at Harlow.

But Mark Butler's boys shot themselves in the foot as Tonbridge pulled one back in the 87th minute, then nicked two more in stoppage time to snatch the points.

To make matters worse, Anthony Joseph and Ricky Wellard were added to Ashford's growing injury list after limping off.

Tonbridge started the better of the sides, and should've got their noses in front through Paul Booth, but he shot wide.

Craig Ross then forced a Booth effort against the bar, while the young keeper also denied former Woking winger Steve Ferguson.

At the other end, Joseph picked out Luke Pigden, but his powerful shot was blocked.

However, the visitors did break the deadlock seven minutes into the second-half when Warren Harris, on as sub for the crocked Wellard, cut inside of the defender and tucked the ball past Lee Worgan.

Ashford doubled their lead on the hour when Byron Harrison was hauled down in the box by Tim Olorunda.

The Tonbridge defender was given his marching orders, and Harrison hammered home the kick to put them two goals to the good.

But the game was turned on its head three minutes from the end when Carl Rook halved the deficit. The hosts levelled in added time when Ferguson netted from close range.

And Fraser Logan sealed a remarkable comeback when he smashed home a volley. [25a0] THE Tangerines scored four second-half goals without reply as they came from behind to beat Harlow Town on Thursday.

Luke Pigden's effort couldn't stop them going in 2-1 down at the break.

But Warren Harris's double, coupled with one each from Anthony Joseph and Byron Harrison, saw them run out 5-2 winners.