UNITED 3-2 THREE BRIDGES | 6/1/24

ASHFORD UNITED 3-2 THREE BRIDGES
Isthmian League South East | Match 18
Saturday | January 6th

Homelands Stadium
3pm Kick Off
Att: 326
HT: 1-0 | FT: 3-2

Match Report By Keith Masters

Ashford United won their first home game of 2024 with an excellent victory over Three Bridges FC.

Three Bridges Prior to Saturday had lost only four matches in the league programme so far and were enjoying third place in the league table.

Three Bridges began the game more positively, and Chris Lewington was called on to make two early saves.
The visitors had a good chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes when a well worked free kick was headed just wide of the left hand post.

As the half progressed Ashford United came more into the game, playing some good football which was rewarded in the thirty-second minute, when Danny Parish outran the defender and delicately lobbed the ball over Three Bridges goalkeeper Jasper Sheik for the opening goal.

Chances continued to come at both ends. The visitors, Anthony Adesite, had a good effort turned away for a corner.
Whilst at the other end, Danny Parish came close after good work by Anthony Edgar.

HT: United 1-0 Three Bridges

Three Bridges began the second half very strongly, and within ten minutes of the restart were in front after goals by Brannon O’Neill and Noel Leighton.

This setback stirred the home club into action and pressure was applied to the Three Bridges defence.
The equalising goal came in the 72 minute.
Good work by Kymani Thomas on the left found Vance Bola in an excellent position to score.

Manager, Kevin Watson, brought on Ian Draycott in the eighty-sixth minute.
Ian’s contribution was soon clear as he scored, what turned out to be, the winner in the first minutes of stoppage time.

Ashford United quite easily saw out the remaining eight minutes of time allowed by the referee for stoppages in the second half and deservedly took the three points from this entertaining match.

Ironically Three Bridges have now lost their last three consecutive league games by the same score of 2-3.

Player of the match: Vance Bola
Entertainment Value: **