AWFUL AWAY FORM CONTINUES FOR UNLUCKY 2s

The 2s, uplifted from the previous weeks tremendous result against Marden, were in high spirits on the way to bottom-of-the-league Ashford; not complacent by any means, but confident that they could come away with 3 points .

The game began with BOE doing what they do best, moving the ball quickly and transferring around the back line, in and out of CM Edd Thorogood. This lead to the team creating chances, but as has been the story for much of this season, they just couldn't seem find that all important elusive touch into the back of the net. One of the best early chances came after a textbook Andy Slack run into the D, flicked over to the far post only to be just out of Fowler's reach for a simple finish. As always, the team kept going and only minutes later after picking the ball up just outside the 23 yard line, Tristan Lacon-Allin beat two men on a mazy run into the the top right of the D and smashed it bottom left corner, a peach of a goal 1-0 to BOE. (I'm also well informed upon writing this that Tristan has kindly offered his services to instruct skipper Prem on this technique - hitting the ball across he body on target).

Half time and 1-0 up BOE were hungry to score more. The second half started much like the first; BOE coming forward with numerous attacks. Most notable were Prem's scuffed shot from the top right of the D - wide near post (see previous comment regarding tutelage of above technique), Prem's reverse stick push wide to the left and Fowlers 'open goal' miss following a reverse stick touch from the skipper (not sure it was an open goal - but I am bias). These wasted chances gave Ashford the confidence that something could go their way. The game started to open up and suddenly BOE found themselves on the back foot defending wave after wave of attack, step in MOTM James Craigmyle. An outstanding save from a shot near post to then be taken off the line by Slacky. Another taken in the chest and another parried away with the left pad - he didn't look like being beat. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, BOE became stretched and clearances started to become loose in the middle of the park. One of these fell to an Ashford midfielder who picked it up, dribbled into the top D and drilled it into the bottom right. 1-1 with 15 minutes to go.

This signalled a change in the game, suddenly Ashford had the confidence to continue attack after and attack. Before we knew it, a bundled ball into the D pinged around in front of Craigmyle like a pinball and was eventually touched through his legs and onto the back board, 2-1 . With less than 5 mins to go BOE tried all they could to go forward, but all that could be mustered were long pass after long pass into space, or to an Ashford player. Then the first BOE short corner of the game and up stepped Mike Benson to put us level, unfortunately it wasn't to be our day as the flick was hit with pace just wide. Another counter and Ashford got a short corner, the classic straight strike saw the game finish 3-1.

MOTM : Craigmyle

DOTD: Fowler