An impressive performance from Shaun Welford ensured Ashford United progressed to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, upsetting Three Bridges in the process. Welford’s second half strike was the difference at Homelands Stadium.

This is the first time the reformed Ashford United have reached the first qualifying round of the competition, having failed to surpass the preliminary stages in their last five attempts.

Facing a Three Bridges side one division above themselves, the Nuts and Bolts were hoping for one of the first cup upsets of the 2016-17 season. Danny Lye’s squad came into the game unbeaten in the opening weeks of the season. This run began with a 1-0 win over Corinthian in the extra preliminary round and their last math at homelands, another 1-0 win over Canterbury City in midweek. Lye made two changes from the previous Tuesday’s game, Luke Cuthbert took the place of Pat Kingwell at the back whilst Luke Eldridge took the place of Tom Fagg in an attacking role.

The visitors, who also came into the game unbeaten, kicked off and within ten minutes they were under pressure from the Southern Counties East side. Ben Davisson hit a free kick into the wall which Callum Donaghey was able to hurry away.

Soon though, the Ryman South team were creating chances themselves. They had a penalty appeal turned down after Tony Garrod was deemed to have dived under pressure from Luke Cuthbert and soon after Garrod flicked an attacking move into the path of Mitchell Casselman, only for the left winger to scuff his shot wide.

However, it was Ashford’s own wide players who were creating chances as well. Michael Phillips’ fantastic cross from the right found Shaun Welford, only for the former Hythe striker to not fully connect with the ball.

Coming from a wide position, Luke Eldridge found Ben Davisson minutes later, but the midfielder’s long range effort was parried away by Martin Grant.

Shaun Welford had another chance of his own as the first half went on, but his header was put against the crossbar from Michael Phillips’ free kick.

The visitors ended the half on top though, first George Kamurasi needed to acrobatically tip a shot from Donaghey over the bar before Devon Fender beat the goalkeeper, but could only watch as his shot rolled past the right post, meaning the game remained goalless going into half time.

It didn’t remain this way for long though. Just two minutes into the second period Ashford found themselves ahead thanks to Welford. The attacker had received the ball with his back to goal before turning onto his left foot and firing a low shot across the face of goal, finding the bottom corner. This provoked a plethora of changes in quick succession from the visitors as they looked for a way back into the game.

Ashford were more than happy to play the game out after the opening goal, but they were also more than capable of causing further issues to Three Bridges. Rory Hill did well to beat two defenders on the left wing before seeing his shot blocked and soon after Welford was played in by Luke Eldridge, but the former was unable to beat the goalkeeper in the resulting one on one situation.

The rest of the second half continued as it had after Ashford’s goal. They were happy to preserve their lead, giving Three Bridges no tie or space to get any attacking moves going, forcing their visitors into long range efforts which didn’t trouble George Kamurasi.

With time running out Ashford were able to stand strong one final time, preventing a goal line scramble just moments before the referee blew his final whistle, ensuring they progress to the first qualifying round.

They now need to wait two weeks before their next game, which has already been confirmed as an away trip to Burgess Hill Town on the third of September. They have league games to focus on before the tie though, as the Nuts and Bolts face Erith Town and Sheppey United on bank holiday weekend.

Ashford United: Kamurasi, Savage, Dickens, Michelson, West, Cuthbert, Phillips (Wooley), Davisson, Welford (McLeod), Eldridge (Booth), Hill

Subs not used: Ince, Lye

Three Bridges: Grant, Sargent, Adelakin, Howard- Bold (Oleka), Donaghey, Crellin, Hayles (Godfrey), Lassdale, Fender, Garrod (Tait), Casselman

Subs not used: Mobsby, Pulling, Wilson, Thorp

Attendance: 225