A brace from Jay May and a late solo goal from Gary Lockyer secured the win at the MBS Stadium as the Nuts & Bolts closed the gap on league leaders Hastings United.
TEAM NEWS:
Tommy Warrilow made two changes to the side that suffered defeat against Haywards Heath.
Jack Steventon replaced Jack Hanson, meanwhile, Tommie Fagg made his long-awaited return from injury, coming in for Tashi-Jay Kwayie.
[STARTING XI: Carey, Trespaderne, Hull, Friend, Steventon, Diallo, Wisson (OFF 85’), Fagg (OFF 71’), Collin, Lockyer (GOAL 70’), May (GOAL 10’ 48’ OFF 76’)]
[SUBS: Hook, Kosia, Kwayie (ON 71’), Ter Horst (ON 85’), Ratti (ON 76’)]
MATCH REPORT:
Ashford, quick out the blocks, dictated play in front of the home crowd and got off to the perfect start when Jay May put the Nuts & Bolts ahead inside 10 minutes. It was Steventon’s cross that caught Herne Bay out, bypassing everybody except Lockyer at the back post, who managed to pick out May to nod in.
There were not many opportunities that came by for either side for the rest of the first-half, though The Bay did apply a little bit of pressure in a decent five minute spell towards the end of the opening 45 minutes.
Zak Ansah was slipped in at goal with only Carey to beat, but the Ashford No.1 was quick off his line an made himself big to deny the prolific striker with a top save. That meant Warrilow’s men would maintain their lead heading into the break.
If you thought the start to the first-half was impressive, it was bettered when Ashford doubled their advantage just 3 minutes into the second-half. A wonderful cross from Trespaderne on the right was met by May to head in for his brace.
Just a few minutes later, Herne Bay defender Laurence Harvey then had a decent opportunity to pull a goal back for the home side when presented with a header from a set-piece, but he hit over.
Adem Ramadan then struck an effort from the edge of the 18-yard box but it was comfortable for Carey between the sticks.
Ashford were given the chance to wrap the match up when Diallo was clumsily brought down inside the oppositions box and, subsequently, a penalty was awarded. Lockyer stepped up and of course fired home from the spot to put the Nuts & Bolts in cruise control.
Second-half substitute, Kwayie, nearly extended the lead right at the death but more fuel wouldn’t be added to the fire as Ashford came away with a resounding and dominant display at the MBS Stadium.