All Square Between Tangerines And Saints

After not seeing a goalless draw all season, I saw my second in four days as Ashford Town (Middlesex) and Chalfont St Peter largely cancelled each other out at the Robert Parker Stadium.

In a fairly dull encounter, the best chances fell to the visitors, but neither side ever really looked like taking the points in a tight match between two sides who were maybe more interested in avoiding defeat, rather than going all out for the win. Ashford’s main striker, Dan Brown, was carrying a knock and so dropped to the bench, allowing Matt Harmsworth to start. Harmsworth was looking to add to his two goals at Woodford last weekend. Home manager Paul Burgess was forced into a further change before the game, as Bairon Conteh injured himself in the warm up. Samad Kazi came into defence in his place.

Going into the match, Ashford had won their last six matches in all competitions, but were unable to continue that run here. While they enjoyed a good deal of possession, it was the visitors who threatened to break the deadlock. Terrell Lewis, who looked good all game down Chalfont’s right wing, hit the post in the first minute with a thunderous shot. He had already been flagged offside however. Ashley Lodge fired a long ranger over for the home side, and there wasn’t an awful lot else in terms of goalscoring chances for Ashford after that, and that was in the ninth minute!

Home ‘keeper Paul McCarthy kept the scoreline blank with saves from Sheehan and O’Donoghue, while Adam Louth fired a free kick well over. Just before the half hour mark, Chalfont left back Glenn Yala went on a great jinking run before drilling a powerful cross into the six yard box. Bedel Guei was just unable to connect with the ball. It would have been a certain goal if he had. At half time, then, the scoreline was blank, and the feeling was that one goal would be enough to win the contest.

Chalfont had the first chance of the second half, with Guei heading over before neat link up between Sheehan and O’Donoghue ended with Sheehan shooting wide. The first, and only, shot on target for the home side came from a free kick from winger Mark Bitmead, but his dipping effort was well held by Mark Oliver in the Chalfont goal.

There wasn’t much in terms of goalmouth action after that, and the match ended goalless. Even though it wasn’t a classic by any stretch of the imagination, I thoroughly enjoyed the match, and it didn’t drag at all. I cannot wait to return this coming Saturday for the match with high flying Slough Town.

For more information on Ashford Town(Middx), you can visit their official website, and follow their webmaster Gareth on twitter.