Survival for Ashford with win over Staines Town

Apr 14 2009 By Jon Batham

RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Ashford 2 Staines 0

DAYS won’t often come sweeter than Easter Monday for Ashford Town.

The tangerines guaranteed Ryman Premier League survival and the Spelthorne derby bragging rights to boot with a comfortable 2-0 win over play-off bound Staines Town at Short Lane.

Second half goals from Ricky Wellard and Gavin Smith sealed victory for Mark Butler’s men, and this, coupled with defeat for Harlow at AFC Hornchurch, means Ashford’s league season won’t hinge on a last-day fixture for the first time in three seasons.

Given Staines were already assured of topping the play-off contenders, this encounter was always going to lack some of the passion usually associated with derby games between these sides.

But Ashford’s need for points was greater and in the end the side with the greater hunger took the points.

It could have been different had the Swans capitalized on their dominant first 20 minutes, during which Chris Watters was the game’s pivotal figure.

The Boreham Wood loanee twice skinned host full-back Vinnie O’Sullivan to fire inviting crosses from the left, but one was powerfully headed wide by Gareth Risbridger, while Richard Butler scuffed the other into the grateful arms of Craig |Ross.

However, once Watters faded from centre stage Ashford took a grip on the game they rarely threatened to loosen.

Warren Harris rattled the woodwork following an excellent 21^st minute cross from the impressive Anthony Joseph, and when the Tangerines’ wide-man produced more wing wizardry 10 minutes later, the ball found Byron Harrison, whose shot cannoned to safety off Risbridger.

But the tide had turned and the hosts went in front 10 minutes after the break. Mark Coulson was booked for a poor challenge on tormentor Joseph and Wellard’s devilish free-kick delivery evaded everyone and went in just inside the far post.

Staines almost hit back immediately with a move which showed the best and worst of Leroy Griffith’s - a late first-half substitute for the injured Butler.

The imposing striker played a great one-two with Andre Scarlett to run clear but with only Ross to beat, he chose to pass rather than shoot and the chance was gone.

It was an expensive miss as just seven minutes later the game was up for the visitors as they were again undone by a set piece. Wellard swung over a corner from the right and Smith, playing in an unaccustomed midfield role reminded everyone what a good centre forward he is, rising unchallenged to plant a bullet header beyond James Courtnage.