A challenging season for Ashford Mens 2s has resulted in the final three league games effectively being three cup finals.
Ashford welcomed a Canterbury 4s side who had also found themselves at the wrong end of the table.

The game started with early chances for both teams, Rob Austen called into some early saves. After Ashford had not taken early opportunities created by the pacey Allan Dawson, it was Canterbury who struck first - finishing well after some clever skill to undo the Ashford defense and slotting past Austin (who was appreciating this weeks weather conditions.)

Ashford continued to press and created further chances with Adam Fox and Jude Smythe going close. Both teams were showing just how important the game was with strong challenges and physicality very evident - fortunately Ashford had a center mid pairing of Sam Hunt and Lewis Mcleod who were relaxed and focused enabling Ashford to stay in the game.
On the stroke of half time Allan forced a short corner and the quick thinking James Chamberlain set up Foxy to level the game.

A sterling half time team talk from, Skipper - Chamberlain, Manager - Foxy and Chief Cheerleader - Jon Shephard. Woke up the hard working Steve Barrett and sent Ashford out believing the game was theirs to win,

Early in the second half some feisty reactions from a short fused Canterbury player gave Ashford a player advantage. Unfortunately despite the energetic efforts of Michael Taylor and Cameron Montford, several short corner and open play chances Ashford could not force home the advantage.
Canterbury then had a good spell of pressure, youngsters Toby Body, Seb Fryer, Nathan Morris and Ben Dawson did well to keep them at bay but were indebted to the sharp reactions of Austin with a triple save to keep the game level with 15 to play.

They say: A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.
This game needed a winner and when (having only a few minutes earlier been taken out by a very agricultural challenge from Canterbury ) Chamberlain picked up the ball just outside the D found space and smashed the ball past the helpless Canterbury keeper; Ashford celebrated as a cup final deserved!

With 5 minutes to play Ashford calmly and with minimal fuss held on for the win and a vital 3 points.
Whoever said, 'It's not whether you win or lose that counts, ' probably lost"

Next week Blackheath away.