On a perfect morning for football, Ashridge started the game with no little purpose. Within the first 5 minutes we already had 4 corners, on 6 minute Dom missed narrowly with a diving header from Owen’s cross, Ben W 20 yard drive was saved well by the keeper and then Ben C’s shot from 30 yards was caught by the busy keeper.
On 16 minutes, Dom headed over from Dan’s inch-perfect cross, but just as chatter turned as to whether we would ever score, Ben W’s corner was headed home by James. 1-0 after 18 minutes. Numerous other chances were made and then spurned, with Dom seemingly involved in everything, but it took until 30 minutes in when created and then converted an opportunity to double the lead.
The score was 2-0 at the interval, and in the early part of the game, the visitors had their best spell of the game, gaining territorial advantage without necessarily troubling the Ashridge keeper. On 60 minutes Alex put the game beyond reach when he converted Ted’s corner, Sid’s effort from Ben C’s cross on 70 minutes was saved by the keeper, but then the pressure built again and Alex completed his hat trick on 76 minutes, increasing the lead to 4-0.
There was still time for a Zola-esque back heel from Sid with eluded the post by millimetres, and then on 85 minutes, Ted completed the scoring after good work from Dan.
The visitors were supremely organised defensively and it was tough for Ashridge to make the breakthrough, but overall the home side were decisive and deserved victors.