LONDON
FALCONS 'A' 4
ASHFORD FC 2
Birthday boy Shaun settles it as Falcons resist late fightback!
The
league leaders opened up two-point advantage at the top
of West Middlesex Division Four after resisting a spirited
fight-back.
Much like the October fixture, Falcons rode their luck late
on to take the three points that keeps their noses in front
in the title race.
First league starts for Stuart Brister, in at left-back,
and for new targetman Luke Halliday helped preserve the
team’s unbeaten run.
Falcons made the perfect start with Chris Huntley stroking
the ball into the net with eight minutes on the clock.
The home team weren’t at their best and midfield man
Will Price had to be alert to clear off the line after a
corner wasn’t dealt with.
It was harsh on Ashford, then, when new striker Halliday
kept his composure to double the lead. A debut goal was
well deserved but the visitors refused to lie down and tested
the Falcons defence throughout the second half.
But it looked to be game over with 68 minutes on the clock
as Scott Boulden’s customary goal duly arrived after
moments earlier hitting the post.
Ashford came on strong and a thunderbolt gave the otherwise
impressive Mark Butler no chance for 3-1.
The keeper denied Ashford with a sensational low save but
with three minutes left the nerves returned as the away
team did convert from close range.
But substitute Shaun Canty on his birthday weekend volleyed
in Mark Clarke’s corner in time added on to seal the
points with his first ever goal for the club.
The left-back was benched after turning up late –
but what a reaction.
Manager Sam Elliott said: “Shaun was typically chewing
my ear off on the sidelines for nearly an hour to get on.
“I eventually gave in and he managed to make the game
safe for us. How in two years he’s never found the
net with that left foot I’ll never know!
“We played well in periods and bar the final 15 minutes
we defended quite well. It wasn’t a classic all-round
performance, but it’s the time of the year that you
take wins however they come.”
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