MATCH REPORT: EAST GRINSTEAD V UNITED 6-0 30/09/23

EAST GRINSTEAD 6 ASHFORD UNITED 0
By Keith Masters

Ashford United were surprised and punished by an East Grinstead team that ‘came alive’ at the OHOB stadium on Saturday.

The Wasps began the day on the bottom of the league having lost all seven previously played games and only managing three goals.

East Grinstead was the faster beginners.
In the 6th minute Connor Tighe forced Jacob Russell to make a fine save from a snap shot.

Ashford’s first attempt came four minutes later when good work by Alex Akrofi gave Vance Bola the opportunity but goalkeeper Matte Pierson was up to it.
At the other end another fine save by Jacob Russell was finally cleared by Tom Carlse.

The ‘rot’ began in the 26th minute.
Max Walsh of East Grinstead received the ball well into his own half of the field. He ran the full length of the pitch into the Ashford goal area and crashed the ball into Jacob Russell’s net. During this run he was not challenged at all by any Ashford player.
East Grinstead doubled their lead 10 minutes later.

Another fine save by Jacob Russell turning a fierce shot around the post. From the resultant corner there was a melee in the goal mouth and the ball found its way into the net. The scorer was Max Walsh.

Ashford tried to rally somewhat and Anthony Edgar brought off a fine save by the East Grinstead keeper Pierson.
Five minutes before half time Omar Folkes of the hosts was brought down outside the penalty area on the right hand side.
Up came the ubiquitous Max Walsh and scored in the right hand corner of the net. The ball taking a slight deflection off an Ashford player on its way into goal.

Half Time​East Grinstead 3 Ashford United 0

Lanre Azeez and Danny Parish came on for the second half and for a time Ashford’s play improved. Good work by Connor Dymond found Anthony Edgar in a good position but nothing came of it.

East Grinstead scored their fourth goal in the 65th minute.
From a throw in the ball was lifted into the far post area where Connor Tighe was unmarked and had no difficulty in scoring.

The hosts scored twice more in the final five minutes.
Max Walsh scored his fourth with a clever move past an Ashford player before scoring from an angle on the right hand side.
Alex Andrade Filipe completed the rout with, what turned out to be, the last kick of the game when he tapped in a rebound from a parried save by Jacob Russell.

All in all a day Ashford will want to forget. They must treat it as a ‘bad day at the office’ put it behind them and go forward to the next game and make sure they do not reflect on the last one.
Star man; Max Walsh
​​​Entertainment value **