Folkestone 2s travelled to Ashford on a beautiful autumn afternoon. Buoyed from last weeks result we started the game well and looked comfortable on the ball. An early penalty corner gave Doyle the opportunity to drag from the top but Ashford were out fast and shut down the shot. Early exchanges were even and Folkestone were working hard to keep their shape as Ashford started to stretch the pitch and pull our midfield around.

Folkestone were forced deeper and a d entry from Ashford led to Bristow copping a shot to the side of the head on the line…penalty flick. Luckily Bristow was ok with a minor cuts and was able to get back on the pitch after half time.
Matt Brenchley has been superb in goal so far this season and he continued that form with a smart save or two.
Folkestone were using the ball quite well but struggling to get up to the oppositions D, Ashford hit on the break again and a melee on the line led to another penalty flick. Surely Brenchleys first save was all we could hope for…wrong! Brenchley moved to his left to make another fine save. ??????

Half time

Ops came out for the second half with a better shape and some early high possession but D entries were hard to come by. Cheap had a good short corner saved and Doyle, Triffitt and Kyle G tried to work the ball high but Ashford were having more of the ball and Folkestone were forced deeper. A counter attack following some wasteful passing saw Ashford move the ball from centre midfield to the right wing and a good ball across the D was swept hope. Folkestone heads dropped but their resolve to keep battling this season has been superb and we pressed and pushed for an equaliser. However with 10 to go Ashford converted a short corner and the game was up.
It’s going to be a tough season but one thing we can be assured of is this team will fight for everything!
On to next week!