MATCH REPORT: ISUZU FA TROPHY 2nd Rnd QUALIFYING - MET POLICE V ASHFORD UNITED 1-1 (4-5 pens) 23/09/23

F.A. TROPHY – 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND
METROPOLITAN POLICE 1 ASHFORD UNITED 1
ASHFORD WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES
By Keith Masters

Ashford United used their ‘Get out of Jail free’ card in finally overcoming Metropolitan Police in this dour encounter at Imber Court.

On the balance of play in the first half Ashford should have been ‘out of sight’ at half time. On six minutes Mason Saunders-Henry went close but saw his effort shave the wrong side of the goalpost.
Ben Gorham headed over from a free kick and two minutes later Danny Parish narrowly missed after excellent work by Noah Carney from the left wing.

On a rare forage into the Ashford half Kareem Akinnibi’s effort was well saved by Jacob Russell.

Ashford continued to put pressure on the hosts and in the run up to half time Tom Carlse, Noah Carney, Harvey Brand all had good chances but failed to find the net.
Ashford also had, what looked like a good shout for, a penalty turned down.

Half time – Metropolitan Police 0 Ashford United 0

The second half began in the same vein. Noah Carney and Harvey Brand both went close but again efforts went over the bar.

In the 66th minute Noah Carney worryingly left the field injured and was replaced by Anthony Edgar

Two minutes later the unthinkable happened. Shkyler Burrowes received the ball from a throw in and made towards goal before releasing a shot which squeezed between Jacob Russell and his near post.

Ashford brought on substitutes Alex Akrofi and Vance Bola and went in search of an equaliser. The reward came in the 87th minute when Vance Bola after good work on the left, sent in the perfect pass for Anthony Edgar to score.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the remaining time but the score remained level and penalties were required to settle matters.

The penalty shoot out produced nine excellently taken kicks from the ‘spot’.

Alex Akrofi, Anthony Edgar, Ben Gorham, Connor Dymond and Vance Bola scored for Ashford United.
Adam Green, Charlie Brown, Kareem Akinibbi and Louis Degand netting for the visitors.

Ironically the tenth penalty of the tie break was missed by Shkyler Burrows who having scored the first goal in the 68th minute blazed his penalty wide of the left hand post.

Ashford were in the draw for the Third Qualifying Round for the first time for quite a while and face Beaconsfield on Saturday |October 7th