Ashford United’s first venture into the FA Vase this season was a successful one as the Nuts and Bolts mastered both the weather conditions and their Sussex League opponents, Steyning Town, to record a 2-1 victory.
A deft finish from early substitute Paul Booth gave the home side the lead in the 38th minute. But playing into the teeth of a strong wind in the second period, it looked as if Ashford might struggle when Danny Gainsford capitalised on poor defending to level on 62. Parity only lasted for 90 seconds though as Seb Schoburgh stooped to sweep home Ashford’s winner.
Ashford dominated the first half with the wind at their backs, as the direct running of wingers Josh Woolley and Ryan Palmer kept Steyning’s defence on the back foot. Palmer in particular had left-back Kerry Parsons tied in knots, constantly skipping past to put crosses into the Sussex team’s area.
In only the 2nd minute, the left side of the defence was exposed as Luke Cuthbert and Ellis Green combined for Cuthbert to put in a cross. Mickey Dalton got a touch forward, and Seb Schoburgh attempted an overhead kick that Ben Rose had to scramble past his left hand post.
Steyning’s only answer to the direct running from Ashford’s players was to commit a series of fouls around the penalty area, and both Palmer and Green saw place kicks drift over, before Dan Stubbs had a shot deflected just past the upright with Rose motionless.
Understandably, it was all Ashford for the first half hour, with Woolley having a drive well held at the 2nd attempt by Rose, and it took that long before Steyning were able to fashion their first attempt on goal. Lewis Levoi made an interception inside the Ashford half, releasing Rob Clark on the left. Clark’s curling cross was almost pushed into the path of Craig Knowles by George Kamurasi, but the Nuts & Bolts’ keeper gathered just in time.
Within moments, Levoi had poked in a shot that Kamurasi did well to get down low to his left to save, but this was as good as it got for Steyning into the wind.
Ashford broke the deadlock on 38 with a typical piece of composure from veteran Paul Booth. Palmer’s right wing corner was headed up into the air, with the ball dropping to Booth on the left corner of the 6-yard area. Booth shifted the ball past one defender, before curling his shot into the far side of the goal.
Both sides seem to find that the conditions suited them in the second half. Steyning went more direct, and within seconds of the restart, Kamurasi had to advance from his area to deny both Levoi and Clark with well-timed tackles as the ball was played over the Ashford defence.
Ashford’s passing game also seemed better suited. Woolley put in a dangerous cross from the left that Booth headed over, and from a quick freekick, Palmer’s cross was acrobatically fired into Rose’s arms by Schoburgh.
Just past the hour, Steyning put together their best move, as the passes flowed between Ash Elms, Levoi and Knowles into the path of Clark. The forward’s first-time shot was well saved by the right hand post by Kamurasi. However, Ashford went to sleep from the resulting corner, as a low ball into the area bypassed stationary players, allowing Danny Gainsford to sweep in the equaliser.
Gainsford was in action inside his own box intercepting Palmer’s low cross, which he almost diverted into his own goal. From the corner on the right side, Woolley drilled the cross into the near post, where Schoburgh was on hand to steer the ball under Rose into the net to restore Ashford’s advantage.
Ashford put together a sweeping move on 76. From a Pat Kingwell clearance, Woolley moved forward to halfway before playing the ball inside to Booth. He backed up the defence before rolling a ball into Palmer’s path, but his shot was well saved by Rose.
Steyning only truly threatened once more, but Kamurasi was alert to pull off a brilliant save low to his left after Dalton’s clearance was struck against Levoi and appeared to be deflecting back into the net. This came part way through a period where the visitors were launching throw after throw into the Ashford penalty area, but there always seemed to be a green shirt in the way.
Happy to play on the counter, Michael Phillips saw his curling freekick tipped over by Rose, and Dalton and Schoburgh combined to set up a chance for Palmer, who was superbly tackled as he pulled back his leg to shoot by Gainsford.
Lee Garnham had one last chance for the visitors, but couldn’t climb high enough to get his header on target.
ASHFORD UNITED: George Kamurasi, Luke Cuthbert, Chris Elliott, Nick Humphrey, Dan Stubbs (Mickey Phillips 63), Pat Kingwell, Ryan Palmer, Mickey Dalton, Ellis Green (Paul Booth 23), Seb Schoburgh, Josh Woolley.
Subs not used: Shaun Welford, Danny Lye, Nick Luen.
Goals: Paul Booth 38, Seb Schoburgh 64.
Caution: Seb Schoburgh 33.
STEYNING TOWN: Ben Rose, Shaun Skipper, Kerry Parsons (Joe Assefi 84), Ash Elms, Ash Finch, Danny Gainsford, Craig Knowles (Jordan Peskett 75), Matt Dodd, Rob Clark, Lee Garnham, Ollie Hartley (Lewis Levoi 15).
Subs not used: George McMahon, Rob Hare.
Goal: Danny Gainsford 62.
Caution: Danny Gainsford 86.
Referee: Mr Alex Stacchini
Assistants: Mr Ashley Barnes and Mr Steve Martin