Following the previous Saturday’s 1-1 draw between Ashford Town (Middlesex) and Uxbridge at Ascot United FC, the teams met again on Tuesday evening, 20th August and your Reporting Team were there. 

We were entertained by another exciting cup tie. The game started slowly but started to gain impetus midway through the goalless first half. The second half was a real battle, which reached a climax at the very end. Uxbridge took the lead 10 minutes after the interval but Ashford Town equalised in the 74th minute and won the match in the 2nd of the 4 added minutes.

The first quarter of the match was mainly spent in midfield sparring and neither keeper was seriously tested.

In the 8th minute, Uxbridge captain, George Moore set up Alex Witham, whose low cross was cleared. The first scoring chance of the game arrived in the 12th minute, when Uxbridge striker, Kickie Dzimba, headed over the bar from Joshua Addae’s cross.

In the 20th minute, Ashford’s Jack Arnold won possession but his ball across goal didn’t find a colleague. Reds’ keeper, Adam Hassane saved a header from Brad Sweeney and then a low shot from Jack Arnold.

Brad Sweeney’s header was punched away by the keeper, to foil the leaping Jack Arnold.

Sam Humphreys released Brad Sweeney, whose run was halted by Troy Murray’s timely tackle.

Uxbridge midfielder, Wilson Chingoka headed over the Ashford crossbar.

Kickie Dzimba netted a cross from the right but the score was ruled out, because the ball had gone out of play, over the goal line, beforehand.

Adam Hassane dived to save Callum Hope’s low drive from the left.

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

In the 2nd minute of the second half, George Moore collected the ball and broke into the visitors’ box but was intercepted by Joshua Blakebrough.

At the other end Sam Humphreys’ through ball found Jack Arnold, who was forced wide but won a corner.

Kickie Dzimba sped up the wing and fed George Moore, who won a corner, which was crossed into the side netting.

The Reds came very close to scoring in the 53rd minute and would have done so but for a fantastic clearance by Ashford debutant, Joshua Blakebrough, who had come on as a first half substitute for the injured Archie Larkham. Wilson Chingoka, who had been released into the box by George Moore, flicked the ball past the keeper towards the empty net. However, Joshua sprinted back and somehow managed to hook it off of the goal line.

Joshua Addae put Uxbridge ahead in the 56th minute, following a move, which he started and finished. He released Greg Hackett down the right and then moved into the Ashford penalty area to receive the return ball and hit it home.

Toby Fisher then saved well low down from Joshua Addae.

Toby received a caution for handling the ball several yards outside his area. He tipped the subsequent freekick over his crossbar.

Deven Reid-Solanki worked his way through the Uxbridge defence but his shot was well off target.

The Tangerines (wearing blue and white on this occasion) equalised in the 74th minute, through Callum Hope, who headed home from close range.

Uxbridge mounted a series of attacks. George Moore’s cross shot from 25 yards went past the far post. Two good chips into the box by Greg Hackett were successfully defended. 

A period of 4 minutes of additional time was announced.

Greg Hackett’s pass found Kickie Dzimba who burst into the box and went down, when he was shoulder charged by Prince Kandolo. The appeals for a penalty were ignored.

Play moved to the other end, where Scott Day volleyed home to win the tie for Ashford Town.

Final score: Uxbridge 1 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2

Referee Jonathan Bollard controlled what was, at times, a difficult match very well. He received good support from his assistant referees. Richard Marus, on the technical area side of the pitch, was forced to deal with some unnecessary verbals.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Uxbridge: Adam Hassane, Troy Murray, Joshua Addae, Chad Goulter, Matt Kellett-Smith, Alex Witham, Wilson Chingoka, Reece Robins, Kickie Dzimba, George Moore (capt) and Greg Hackett.

Unused substitutes: Jonathan Sanchez, Jack Mullan, Glenn Yala, Lewis Cole and Shaka Mughal.

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Toby Fisher, Archie Larkham (Josh Blakebrough 35 mins), Callum Hope, James King, Prince Kandolo, Kyron Horsley-McKay, Brad Sweeney, Sam Humphreys (Aaron McLeish-White 59), Jack Arnold (Deven Reid-Solanki 62), Callum McAllister (capt) (Scott Day 70) and Vishna Kelly (Ben Holder 59).

Unused substitute: Dawid Gorski.

Referee: Jonathan Bolland   

Assistant Referees: Richard Marus and Richard Coker.  

Attendance: 140

Ashford Town (Middlesex) will now play Herne Bay at home in the First Qualifying Round. Herne Bay won 2-1 away to Rayners Lane in this round.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET