Goalkeeper and man of the match Ben Hunter kept Bay in this game with two penalty saves in the closing minutes of the first half. 

For the opening 20 minutes a very lively Ashford United pressed high, denying Bay time on the ball and restricting their passing game.

They could have scored twice inside the first 5 minutes but Hunter just happened to be in the right position to prevent his goal being breached.

Against the run of play Bay took the lead. A mix up between the keeper, George Kamurasi and Michael Phillips, gifted a goal as his intended back pass beat his keeper and rolled into the back of the net.

This piece of good fortune seemed to take the wind out of the visitors and Bay came back into the game that was until the penalty decision.

What looked like a soft penalty was given against Jono Richardson, apparently for tripping. Up stepped young Matthew Day who stroked the ball to Hunters left, who saved with his feet.

The assistant had other ideas though claiming Ben had stepped forward off his line; the referee agreed and asked for the penalty to be retaken.

Up stepped Day again but cleverly Ben stood more to the left hand side of the goal inviting Day to hit the ball to his right. Day duly obliged but with his 6’7″ frame Ben stretched full length to turn the ball away.

A rejuvenated Bay came out for the second half and with their passing game getting into full flow started to give Ashford’s defence the run around. It took another 28 minutes before Junior Aikhionbare produced a superb low volley from the edge of the box, through a mass of players, to beat Kamuras,i to double the lead.

Four minutes later Nassim Dukali put the result beyond any doubt scoring from the penalty spot after Pat Kingwell had pulled Josh Wisson’s shirt as he weaved his way through the the defensive line into the area.

A much better 2nd half ensured Bay took the three points but their thanks had to go to Hunter for those two penalty saves which prevented Ashford going in at half time in a more confident frame of mind.