Ashford United brushed aside Binfield in the Isuzu FA Trophy to set up a tie against the long arm of the law in the next round. 

Played in far more suitable conditions than Saturdays oppressive heat, Sunday’s calmer temperatures allowed Kevin Watsons side to run riot against opposition who in all truth offered little to begin with and nothing by the end of one of the most one-sided contests you’ll see in a while. 

The fact that it took the home side twenty four minutes to break through was the only surprise of this afternoon and when they did, the tone of the goal somehow told you it was going to be one of those days especially if you were an away fan as Lance Azeez’s cross was sliced into his own net by Dan Lewis.  

It got worse for the visitors just past the half hour as they went 3-0 down in a matter of minutes – first Fin Harvey this time turned the ball past his own keeper from Bradley Simm’s driven cross before Azeez was beautifully played through and as the shell shocked keeper (Harvey Rackley-Haynes) came out, Azeez planted the ball past him with some aplomb! 

A lapse in concentration allowed the visitors on the scoreboard just before the break as Ben Stallard scored but the muted lack of celebrations showed what was to follow after the break, though to be fair at least the visitors had a go! 

And it might have been different if Dontaye Whittaker’s swerving effort hadnt missed the left post by a fraction with keeper Jacob Russell rooted to the spot, but just past the hour sub-Johan Ter Horst got on the end of a great ball from Noah Carney to make it 4-1. 

Noah Chengen had a diving header flash across the face of the Ashford goal in a rare attack before Carney made it 5-1 after a great run and ball into the box from Alex Akrofi.  

Five was soon six when central defender Harvey Brand scored with a brilliant diving header again from an Akrofi cross. Rhyle Ovenden then stung Rackley-Haynes’ hands before Simms was denied a seventh by an Ashford teammate as he got on the end of another Akrofi cross only for his shot to be blocked by a green Ashford shirt. 

The sparce crowd though got their wish two minutes from time when Ben Gorham was given the freedom of the Medway Towns to head home number seven from another free kick. 

Liam Campbell thundered a shot against the angle of the Ashford post and bar in stoppage time, but it was far too little far too late for the visitors as the “home” side – who are hoping to return to Homelands early next month – now face a trip to face Metropolitan Police. 

ASHFORD UNITED – Russell, Simms, Carlse (Knight). Brand, Gorham, Bola (Akrofi), Ovenden, Carney, Draycott (Ter Horst), Azeez 

Subs – Towens, Parish 

BINFIELD – Rackley-Haynes, Murray, Campbell, Espirit, Lewis, Stanic-Stewart, Harvey (Jeanes), Stallard, Chengun (Jeanes), Whittaker, Hannachi (Worsfold) 

Subs – Amiri, Brady 

REFEREE – Mr Charles