The preliminary round ties of the Emirates FA Cup were contested last Saturday, 17th August and your Roving Team chose to visit the game between Ashford Town (Middlesex) and Uxbridge. Because of the ongoing installation of a 3G pitch at Ashford Town’s Robert Parker Stadium, the match was staged at Ascot United’s well-appointed Racecourse Ground.

Both clubs had recorded impressive away victories in their extra preliminary round matches. Uxbridge beat Cobham 4-3, while Ashford Town (Middlesex) overcame Northwood 2-0.

It soon became apparent that we had made a good choice. We were treated to an excellent cup tie. The match got away to an exciting start and was full of incident throughout.   Ashford Town dominated the opening stages but Uxbridge fought back and took the lead shortly before the interval. The Tangerines then equalised midway through the second period to take the game to a replay.

Uxbridge keeper, George Legg was soon in action parrying Prince Kandolo’s close range shot, following Archie Larkham’s freekick from wide on the left. George then saved the follow up shot from James King but was hurt in the  action and required attention.

James King propelled a long throw into the Uxbridge penalty area but the ball was scrambled away. 

Jack Arnold burst into the visitors’ box but his shot was turned for a corner by the keeper, who then saved Prince Kandolo’s header from the ensuing kick.

Jack Arnold was fouled just outside the box. George Legg made a good save from the freekick.

Uxbridge now came into the match. Greg Hackett broke up the wing but his cross was blocked for a corner. A freekick from the left found Jack Mullan, whose header was saved by keeper, Toby Fisher.

Reece Robins’ shot was saved at the expense of a corner, which was punched away. Then Toby’s save thwarted Kickie Dzimba.

The Tangerines had a good chance of doubling their lead in the 21st minute. Jack Arnold sped up the wing, cut in and released Brad Sweeney. However, George Legg saved from close range.

Reece Robins’ low shot from just outside the box was well saved by Toby Fisher. Toby then left his box to intercept the oncoming Kickie Dzimba.

At the other end, a diving save from George Legg foiled Jack Arnold, who had broken through the middle.

In the 38th minute, Toby Fisher prevented what appeared to be a certain Uxbridge goal, with a great save with his leg, from George Moore’s close-range effort.

However, the visitors went ahead a minute later, through Kickie Dzimba, who headed home, after a corner kick was flicked on to him.

Uxbridge mounted further raids as the interval approached. George Moore was tripped just outside the box but the freekick was wasted. Troy Murray made a run up the left but he was dispossessed by weight of numbers. Kickie set up Reece Robbins, who hit the side netting.

Half time score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0 Uxbridge 1

George Legg was unable to continue in goal for Uxbridge, because of his injury and was replaced for the second half by Adam Hassane.

A good long ball by Ashford’s James King released Brad Sweeney, who ran into some heavy traffic. 

Some frantic action in the Uxbridge penalty area ended with a goal kick being awarded and replacement keeper Adam Hassane, who claimed too vociferously that he had been fouled, receiving a yellow card.

Ben Holder released Jack Arnold, who rode a tackle and advanced on the Uxbridge goal but shot wide.

A good Ashford Town move, involving Arnold, McAllister and Sweeney, ended when the latter’s cross was intercepted.

The Tangerines equalised in the 64th minute. Chris Kelly’s corner kick from the left was headed back to Brad Sweeney, whose well struck half volley found the bottom corner of the net.

Because of an incident behind the goal, the restart had to be delayed for more than 5 minutes. Appropriate action was taken by the referee, who red carded a member of the Uxbridge bench entourage and by the Ashford Town committee, who ejected a supporter from the ground.

Toby Fisher saved George Moore’s low shot from around 25 yards.

Ben Holder was tripped marginally outside the Uxbridge box. Brad Sweeney’s freekick was charged down by the defensive wall.

Uxbridge’s Greg Hackett crossed for Kickie Dzimba, who dived to head narrowly wide.

George Moore released Kickie but the keeper comfortably collected the latter’s shot. 

Callum Hope’s low ball, into the crowded Uxbridge box, was stopped on the goal-line by a defender.

George Moore made ground and cut in to force a corner, which was punched away by Toby Fisher.

Some further openings were created at both ends of the pitch and the game could easily have gone either way, during the 12 minutes that the referee added on for stoppages.

Final score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 1 Uxbridge 1

TEAM LINE-UPS

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Toby Fisher, Archie Larkham, Callum Hope, James King (Scott Day 86 mins), Prince Kandolo, Kyron McKay, Brad Sweeney, Ben Holder (Sam Humphreys 76), Jack Arnold, Callum McAllister (capt) and Chris Kelly (Deven Reid Solanki 67).

Unused substitutes: Josh Blakebrough and Dawid Gorski.

Uxbridge: George Legg (capt) (Adam Hassane 46), Troy Murray, Joshua Addae, Chad Goulter, Jack Mullan (Matthew Kellett-Smith 77), Lewis Cole (Glenn Yala 73), Wilson Chingoka, Reece Robins (Ada Okorogheye 77), Kickie Dzimba, George Moore and Greg Hackett.

Unused substitutes: Alex Witham and Jonathan Sanchez.

Referee: Dan Malyon   

Assistant Referees: Joe Alborough and Michael Rickett.   

Attendance: 79.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET