It's sad to see teams struggle/fold, it's a real shame. And Marden Russets' 1st XI withdrawal from Kent/Sussex Reg 1 league will have greater effects on far more clubs than us, but what it does do is make me very proud of this fine establishment that we call our club. What it also meant was Ashford 1's didn't have a game due to the Russet's situation , so 'obviously' a number of them rocked up at the Meadow to play our 2s? You'd have thought that those 1s players wouldn't want to return to CM for a second week after their 8-2 humiliation last week vs our 1s but they seemed gluttons for punishment. As it happened, it didn't matter and we, as a club, are going in the right positive direction. With news the 1's had won again and secured a 10 point lead at the top of their league so could wrap up the title next week the youthful 2's rallied to beat Ashford 3-2 in a real humdinger of a game!

The squad was good, the day was grim but as we gathered up the pieces of our Friday nights we hatched a game plan that would suit us to the ground, fight hard, keep it tight, score when we can! It worked a dream, and to be fair, the new 4-2-3-1 formation has reignited our season with 3 seriously good performances in the last 3 weeks. There was plenty of fun to recount from Friday night. The skipper had been to a comedy show, Eddy F had celebrated his birthday with the lovely Hollie, Dr Slack had saved numerous lives, Scott had travelled to and from where ever his job had sent him, Shep had a few 'quiet ones' up the union, the young lads had their mates round for pizza and Disney flicks and the irrepressible Ed Bull had a lavish family cocktail toga party that descended into a Spice Girls mega mix dance off and a mojito fulled Instagram party.........if you do not follow Ed Bull on Instagram, do, it's a hoot and the family fun is just wonderful, even if the way he relates to his mother is slightly odd, each to their own and he is just such a nice chap!

The boys were on fire right from the off, Eddy Forshaw & Tom Shepherd dictating play from the back and James Clarke was untouchable in the opening exchanges. BOE won an early corner and, bar an outstanding save from the Ashford No1, would have taken the lead from the drag flick of Eddy Forshaw. However, he wouldn't be denied second time around as Dr Slack won another penalty corner and Eddy dutifully rifled it home! 1-0

Apart from a couple of hopeful smashes into the D and a well cleared corner, Ashford 1s/2s hadn't threatened much and as BOE marched forward Prem Marwaha, Josh Self & Jake Lamplough were incredible and even the rocket fuelled Ed 'Cocktail' Bull was on top form. BOE were tireless in attack and defence and the replacements of Alex Borwick and Henry Baines slotted in seamlessly as the whole side clicked.

Half time was a welcome rest as everyone was blowing! Even the Skipper had sweat on and we knew we were in a battle. The work rate of this young team is impressive but more often than not it is the example set by 'Seniors' Andy Slack and the never waining Scott Dow that sets the tone.

The second half didn't get off to the best start as a silly penalty corner resulted in an equaliser for the visitors. That didn't shake the boys but if it wasn't for an outstanding triple save from Big Nate in goal, well, we might have come unstuck! As always the model professional and a fantastic voice from the back, Nate has kept us in many a game this year and this was no different and, as always, everything was done with endless passion and so politely! The Don!!

As Ashford stepped it up the unflappable Tom Shepherd just got better & better. The boy is top draw and can pick a tackle out of a box of bait and his ball pace and ariel attacks were precise and penetrative and again, he set the tone for the whole game. We kept it going, raised our own game and in 5 minutes put this one to bed. Firstly an interchange between Dr Andy and 'Cocktail' found Moody Jake, his drag shot was charged down and as the ball came up the skipper was there to deflect the ball home. 2-1.

Then for the moment of the day as Josh Self (14yrs old) ran the Ashford defence ragged. His run drew a foul and the resulting corner was expertly flicked into the back of the net by Eddy 'The Rock' Forshaw to a huge roar! If there was a roof on The Meadow, it would have come off! 3-1 and the game was as good as won.

We controlled the rest of the game bar one error that cost a goal but not the game and it was COCKTAIL time again. What a match, what a performance, what a team! Love it! Ashford 1s and 1s/2s beaten two weeks running.

Kent Uni next Saturday! 3 more points please.

MOTM: Eddy 'The Rock' Forshaw!