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Tootings slow start to the season went into full reverse
at Short Lane. Having started brightly against a home side who
only narrowly missed out on last seasons playoffs and who
could boast a 100% start to the season, the Terrors fell
behind in the 9th minute to a soft close range tap in from a
low cross.
Ashford
found the visitors system of three at the back much to their
liking and, apart from a speculative Paul Vines effort,
started to systematically tear the Tooting defence apart. Just
on the quarter hour John Henry Hayden succumbed to an earlier
heavy challenge and was replaced by Dave
Stevens. Meanwhile the pressure continued to
build. Walker initially fumbled a handily placed free
kick at the edge of the area, but it was cleared for a
corner. As Ashford started getting behind the back line
Colin Hartburn scrambled one off the line. Just before the
half hour a long cross into the middle split the defence and
was slotted past Walker for the second.
Following
another traumatic tem minutes the Terrors actually enjoyed a
bit of possession, notably McLeod releasing Stevens, who made
it to the touch line, but could not to prevent his cross for
running out. Inevitably Ashford rallied and, following
another edge of the area free kick which was never cleared,
extended their lead. There was still time for Paul Vines
to pick up a caution following a spot of handbags with Bamford.
Half Time 3 -
0 Jamie Byatt replaced Romuald Bouadji and
immediately started living up to his 'Busy' nickname, getting
to the goal line and feeding in a cross which Paul Vines
headed over the bar. This again proved to be a flash in the
pan, Aaron Goode lost the ball in midfield and a confident
quick passing movement saw us four behind. Tempers started to
fray as McLeod was rightly booked for a heavy tackle.
Ashford seemed happy to wait for further openings, which
soon came as Oliver Hunt came off second best in one against
one chase back towards his goal, conceding a penalty (for hand
ball) which was duly converted.
On 60 minutes it was the usually reliable Hartburn, who had
popped up on the right, who missed his tackle. 6-0!
Seven minutes later came our single on target effort, although
even that was a defenders back heel onto the post.
Still, this signalled Tootings best spell as Dean Hamlin
started to look like last years Deano by supplying some decent
crosses.
Things turned nasty when Smith scythed Joe Vines down from
behind. Joe was not impressed, but retaliation never goes down
well and he was shown red, closely followed by the thoroughly
objectionable Logie, who had decided to hurl the ball at Joe
whilst he was attempting to unscrew Smiths
head.
The 'good spell' continued until injury time, when the
obligatory seventh goal was put away following yet more
lamentable defending.
Overall a tough lesson from a strong confident opposition
who were faster to the ball and able to do the simple things
quickly and effectively. It can't get any worse.....can
it?
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