Very difficult writing a report on today’s game as the performance and the tactics were just not good enough. Bay were totally outclassed by a workmanlike Ashford United. If it wasn’t for some good saves from Simon Overland then the score would have been even more embarrassing.

Bay’s line up for this game was one of the strongest we had seen this season, but our play in the first twenty minutes was lethargic, and so negative with the ball going sideways and backwards.

Ashford reacted to this and pressed high on Bays’ defence, forcing errors and from two of these errors Ashford scored their first two goals. Simon Overland had already produced a great save from Danny Parish before Ashford took the lead. Both goals scored by Sam Corne; the first after sloppy play in defence Corne was put through and he coolly lobbed Overland as Overland came out of his goal.

Bradley Schafer had Bays’ first attempt on the Ashford goal but this came after 22 minutes play. Nine minutes later and Corne had doubled the advantage. Again another mistake in Bays’ defence and the ball fell to Corne who raced through the back line and drove a low shot wide of the Overland. Straight from the restart Bay surged forward and were rewarded as the ball was worked across the back line and Schafer made no mistake from 12 yards.

Bays’ hopes were dashed almost immediately as Jake Embery was dispossessed on the halfway line and the ball was worked quickly forward to Harry Ottaway who struck a sweet volley from 20 yards to beat Overland at his near post.

The second half was not much better but Bay did start moving the ball forward quicker but never really threatened Sam Mott’s goal.

Ashford put the game out of Bays’ reach with a tremendous goal from a free kick 25 yards out by Danny Parish. The ball sailed over the wall and nestled in the net off the far post giving Overland no chance whatsoever.

This was perhaps one of our worst performances of the season with Ashford totally dominating the play from start to finish. This was not only disappointing for our travelling fans and Committee but an embarrassment as a footballing display. We have been unlucky in our last two games but today we got exactly what we deserved.

We sit bottom of the league having scored fewer goals than any other team with 15 from 13 games and having the worst goal difference in the league at minus 21.

This must be our worst ever start to any football season in Bays long history and if the performances continue like this we will be playing SCEFL football next season.

It transpired after the game that Ashford United manager Gary Alexander was relieved of his duties despite the victory.

Alexander was to tweet on Saturday evening:

“Sacked at 10 20 whilst laying in bed over a text good luck @AshfordUnitedFC and @AUFCFans It’s been pleasure”

 

Herne Bay: Simon Overland, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Raphe Brown, Ben Gorham, Afolabi Coker, Sonny Black, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Miles Cornwell, Connor Wilkins

Subs Used: Simon Kabamba (Mulrooney-Skinner 46) James White (Gorham 46) Connor Cox (Wilkins 62)

Subs not used: Danny Leonard, Euan Sahadow