Injury Hit Ashley Defy Odds To Earn Crucial Point

Written by Kevin Goodwin:

Ashley FC claimed a hard fought point against Jersey Rangers on a cold December afternoon at Durdham Downs. Ben West poked home in the second-half to hand a depleted Ashley the lead, before the hosts equalised after an initial shot was blocked.

Ashley were without a number of first-team players due to other commitments and were dealt a number of blows throughout the game as various players pulled up with pulled muscles, perhaps due to the cold weather.

In the first-half, Chris Barrett's looping header fell off-target after a free-kick from the right, whilst Paul Freeman pushed over a dangerous cross from the left. Jersey Rangers had a couple of long-range efforts that fell off target, and a powerful header was held by Freeman. Ashley, who saw the injured Ollie Bendall replaced after 15 minutes, and Kevin Goodwin pull up with a groin injury, were sporting an unfamiliar front line, with West leading the running. After a battling first-half, the scores were level as the referee blew up for the first period.

Ashley grew in confidence in the second-period, despite Paul Mann also pulling up with a calf injury, and C. Barrett lashed a shot from long-range over the bar. Ashley went in front on the 60 minute mark, through West. Goodwin's slid through ball found West and he found the bottom corner to give Ashley a slender advantage. Jersey however were dominating possession and started to create chances, firing a number of shots off-target. They grabbed an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining; despite Freeman clawing away the first-effort, their right-winger bundled in from close-range. Jersey had some further chances soon after, firstly a right-foot shot fell just past the far post from an acute angle whilst a set-piece was hooked towards goal, but Bendall, back on from the bench, cleared off the line.

There were more injury scares as Luke Hill fell on his ankle, but recovered quickly, whilst Chris Dent then pulled up with cramp. To add insult to (many) injuries, Mark Sheridan also picked up an injury and went up front for the remaining five or so minutes. Despite this, it was Ashley who had the best chances to win it. West broke at speed in the middle of the park and picked out Goodwin who struck with his right-foot but narrowly missed the crossbar from 25 yards. Minutes later, Goodwin had another chance, this time from much closer. Bendall beat the 'keeper to the ball inside the box and looked to be felled, but the referee waved play on and the ball broke to Goodwin, who, from an acute angle, fired over the bar through a crowd of defenders.

Given Jersey Rangers were fourth in the league beforehand and Ashley missing their two centre-halves in Dan Scoins and Andy Smith, this was a very encouraging performance. Man of the match goes to West for his industrious running and well taken goal. Other notable performances were for Michael Chappell in the defence, and Will Freeman for playing in three different positions during the game!