Ashford United went into their Kent Senior trophy game against Erith town in great form, the Nuts and Bolts hadn’t lost at home since early September, however their opponents weren’t going to give the home team an easy game.

Erith are first in the Southern Counties East league, having only lost one game out of ten in the league.

The game started quickly with both teams having opportunities in the first minutes; the visitors were given the first chance when Steve Newton was given room to cross after Liam Whiting slipped on the edge of the penalty area, however, the midfielder’s cross was too far away from Matt Knuckey.

Ashford were given their first opportunity of the game soon after, Buster Smisson was able to put a pass through the defence, but Sam Colon’s low effort went just wide.

The match soon began to slow down as the players found their rhythm and it was Ashford who made the breakthrough with ten minutes gone. Kieran Byrne was given time to cross, and he found Smisson unmarked. The striker was able to convert from a tight angle, through the goalkeeper’s legs to give Ashford a 1-0 lead.

After his mistake, Daniel Clark in the Erith goal was seemed very uncomfortable, he was unable to control the ball well and dropped some catches from Ashford crosses, Clark was only making his third appearance for Erith and his uncertainty was obvious.

Erith were becoming frustrated, and this showed when some aggressive play from Daniel Moore and Lee Coburn was seen by the referee. Coburn was also given a yellow card after tripping a player during an Ashford counter attack.

Ashford took control of the rest of the half, Erith were poor, and this showed in the contrast between the two managers going into the tunnel at half time.

Paul Carter had a long talk with his team at half time, and what he said seemed to be working; the away team were able to start the second half in control, Conrad Lee was given the opportunity to push forward, early in the second half he was able to find Moore with a cross, Moore then left the ball for Ross Bedford who fired a shot over.

Lee was involved in the next Erith attack as well, his quick throw in found Rikki Cable, however, the ball rolled away from the winger just as he was about to shoot.

It wasn’t long until the away team were finally able to beat Joe Mant in the Ashford goal, a cross in from Cable was put into a dangerous area, confusion in the Ashford defence ensued, until finally Kofi Quartey was able to smash a shot past the helpless Mant.

Soon after Erith had another chance, a good run from the full- back Joe Stephenson resulted in a cross but Knuckey placed is effort just wide.

Ashford were finally able to counter attack after an uncomfortable amount of pressure from the visitors. Luke Cuthbert was given space to run forward and with both strikers waiting in the area he put his cross too high, however the ball fell to Liam Whiting on the left, but his cross was misplaced and went out for a goal kick.

Erith continued their pressure and soon they had another chance, Cable’s cross to Quartey was perfect, but the striker’s powerful shot was blocked by Jordan Miller.

The final chance of the 90 minutes came through Conrad Lee, after a good run down the left wing he was able to find space for a cross, however his cross was mishit and Ashford needed to rely on Mant tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

Extra time started very slowly, with neither team looking promising going forward. The only major chance of the first half in extra time came through Ashford’s Sam Conlon, after a long ball from the defence Colon was able to use his head to put the ball over the goalkeeper, only for his effort to roll wide.

The game then became very aggressive, Gary Clarke was injured after getting kicked in the stomach but was able to play on, and Daniel Moore was given a yellow card for dissent after a controversial decision to not play advantage.

Most of the action in extra time came in the final 5 minutes; Ashford thought they had won it after an incredible goal from substitute Sam Fisher. Jordan Hill back possession for the home team and made a run down the left wing, was able to put a cross into the area, this was headed away by the Erith defence, before Fisher controlled the ball on his chest and then hit a perfect half volley into the top corner of the goal.

With Ashford thinking that was the goal to send them through to the next round Erith attacked again. A cross from Ross Bedford found Rikki Cable unmarked. The striker was able to slide the ball past Joe Mant to give his team a chance of survival.

Ashford had one final chance with seconds remaining, Erith gave the ball away too easily. Paul Chambers was found in the area, however he slipped as he went to take his shot, giving the Erith Defence a chance to clear.

Goals from Kevin Byrne, Gary Clarke and Adam Cuthbert helped Ashford gain an advantage in the penalty shootout, but it was Joe Mant who was the hero for Ashford, he was able to save two penalties and see one rattle the crossbar to send Ashford into the second round after a 3-1 penalty victory.

Attendance: 186

Teams

Ashford United: Mant, Cuthbert, Whiting, Clarke, Miller, Jordon, Mickleborough (Cuthbert), Scorer (Fisher), Smisson (Chambers), Colon, Byrne.

Booked: Jordon, Fisher

Erith Town: Clark, Stephenson, Lee, Coburn, Moore, Newton (Coleman), Bedford, Knight (Dabrowa), Quartey, Knuckey (Donadio), Cable.

Booked: Coburn, Moore