There was plenty to be thankful for today in this entertaining game at the Affinity Investments Stadium. The officials passed the pitch fit and refereed the game sensibly given the boggy conditions, both teams went out and played entertaining football and the crowd, led by FC’s new ‘drum and bass’ section, played their part in encouraging the players and showing appreciation of their efforts.
Seven minutes in and Town’s Mark Bitmead found space on the edge of the box and his shot forced FC’s Simeon Charles into tipping the shot over to be on the safe side. A couple of minutes later and the visitors took the lead. FC were caught dallying and Kofi Lockhart-Adams used the opportunity to stroke the ball past Charles into the corner. FC almost equalised straight away as a Leon Osei free kick whistled past the post. It wasn’t to be long however until FC grabbed the leveller. Sonny French danced through the Ashford defence and coolly slotted the ball past Town keeper Paul McCarthy for a wonderful goal. On 26 minutes the visitors regained their lead. The ball became bogged down on the edge of FC box and Matt Baxter side footed the ball through Charles’ legs. FC were always looking to break. The excellent Mataar Touray was unlucky not to equalise. He chipped McCarthy from a Max Farrelly pass but as the ball was heading for the net, it was headed away just at the last moment. Max Farrelly was involved again in the 2nd FC equaliser on 36 minutes. His right wing cross found Liam Fowler, who flicked the ball past the keeper and into the net. Three minutes before half time, the pendulum swung yet again as Bairoh Conteh forced Charles into touching the ball over his bar before Brian Haule returned to the opposite goal and curled a delicate which the Ashford keeper did well to tip round the post.
The second half started with FC on the offensive. First Leon Osei had an effort blocked by the keeper before the ball reached Sonny French whose effort was then tipped acrobatically round the post. By this time Sonny French was finding his rhythm. On 51 minutes, his turn and strike just grazed the top of the crossbar. Four minutes later and Ashford bought a get out of jail free card. Many FC attacks were started by the rock solid Lamar Simpson. It was from one of these interventions that FC had the first of two great FC opportunities to win the match. Brian Haule beat the keeper and shot towards an empty net. As so often happens on muddy pitches, the ball didn’t have enough momentum and lodged itself in the mud before being cleared. Leon Osei then muscled his way into the box and his goalbound strike was heading for the bottom corner before a smart one handed save pushed it round the post. In response Ashford substitute Hamad Kazi had a golden chance to give his side the lead for the third time in the afternoon but he shot wide with the goal beckoning. His fellow substitute Tom Mooney had another gilt edged opportunity but elected to fire the ball at Simeon Charles. Although an FC goal was ruled offside, the away team were now doing most of the running. Rob Curtis took a pot shot at Charles which squirmed from his grasp but luckily away to safety. Almost on full time, Lynton Goss was put through one on one with the keeper. His pace allowed him a strike which the keeper did well to handle. Still the action hadn’t finished. Hamad Kazi brought the down well on the left wing and advanced on the FC net. Simeon Charles stood tall and pushed the attempt away allowing both teams to be rewarded with a well-earned point.

Entertainment 4/5 Star Man Matarr Touray (Aylesbury FC)

Line Up:
1 Simeon Charles.
2 Max Farrelly.
3 Luke Abraham.
4 Craig Faulconbridge. Yellow Card (27'), Sub Off (67')
5 Lamar Simpson.
6 Liam Fowler. Goal (36')
7 Jamie Connor.
8 Matarr Touray. Man of the Match
9 Brian Haule.
10 Sonny French. Goal (13')
11 Leon Osei.

Used Sub:
12 Lynton Goss. Sub On (67')
Unused Subs:
14 Richard Roberts.
15 Kevin Ayodele.