Ashtead Colts U18 Athletic Draw 2-2 At Merstham Recreation Ground

On 18 October 2025, Ashtead Colts U18 Athletic travelled to Merstham Recreation Ground to face Merstham Youth U18 Eagles in a league away fixture that kicked off at 12:30pm. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw after 90 minutes of intense football.

Ashtead Colts lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, deploying Maksym Zabashta in goal. The defensive line consisted of Ethan Wild at right back, Jack Barker and Ted Durrant as central defenders, and Calistus Fernando on the left. The midfield trio featured Charlie D’astugues on the right, Kerr Pace centrally, and Conor McEvoy on the left. Up front, the attacking trio was made up of David Chigumbura on the right wing, Ewan Harris leading the line as striker, and Zach Colton on the left wing. The substitutes available were James Wedlock and Calum Mccormack.

The game began with both sides probing for openings, but it was Merstham Youth who struck first, breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute. This early goal forced Ashtead Colts into a swift tactical adjustment as they immediately made a substitution, bringing on James Wedlock for Theo to inject fresh energy into the midfield.

Despite the setback, Ashtead Colts showed resilience. In the 30th minute, Calistus Fernando was replaced by Calum Mccormack, signalling a change in defensive personnel. Shortly after, at the 35-minute mark, Theo returned to the pitch, this time replacing Charlie D’astugues on the right midfield, indicating a reshuffle in the wide areas.

Ashtead Colts’ persistence paid off just before half-time. In the 39th minute, James Wedlock found the net with a composed finish inside the box, expertly set up by a precise assist from Zach Colton. This goal levelled the scores and gave Ashtead Colts renewed belief heading towards the break.

As the first half drew to a close, further changes were made. At the 45th minute, Calistus Fernando came back on for David Chigumbura, and Charlie D’astugues returned to replace Kerr Pace in central midfield. These substitutions suggested a tactical tweak aimed at balancing defensive solidity with midfield creativity. Also that Kerr had to leave.

The teams went into the interval locked at 1-1, setting the stage for a competitive second half.

Early in the second period, Ashtead Colts continued to rotate their squad. In the 57th minute, David Chigumbura was reintroduced, replacing Ethan Wild at right back. However, this change was short-lived as Ethan Wild was reinstated in the 63rd minute, swapping places once again with Calum, who had been struggling with injury.

Merstham Youth regained the lead in the 74th minute, restoring their advantage and putting Ashtead Colts under pressure. Yet, the visitors refused to buckle and responded swiftly.

In the 80th minute, James Wedlock scored his second goal of the match, this time with a spectacular strike from outside the area, assisted by Ewan Harris. This goal not only equalised the scoreline but also showcased Wedlock’s ability to influence the game decisively.

The remainder of the match saw both sides pushing for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock. Ewan could have won it with a well struck shot that was saved. The home team wasted several chances. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought 2-2 draw, a result that reflected the competitive nature of the encounter.

Ashtead Colts U18 Athletic demonstrated commendable spirit and tactical flexibility throughout the match, with James Wedlock’s brace standing out as a key contribution. The game also highlighted the importance of effective substitutions and positional adjustments in responding to the challenges posed by Merstham Youth U18 Eagles on their home turf.