Match Report: Ashtead FC v Alexandra: 3 - 1 Home Win (League)

After getting into the cup final all the lads are in high spirits. This game I decided to play the guys that did not play or see much of the semi final, We started off abit slow but got more comfortable as the game went on passing the ball around well having some early shots at goal. For majority of the first half we kept Alexandra in there own half, we looked really good at corners both end better defending than recent weeks. Saying that As we went to clear away from a corner one of alexandra's players climbed over the defence to score but it was disollowed.

The back for played well today with Ant potts and Pat Adams winning the headers, Richard Howes and Luca Cicero not letting there wingers attack and pushing on to give them something to worry about! Sean O'malley and Ben Askew keot the middle strong and played some good balls through. The attacking side of the team Jay Greetham, Will constant, Terry, John Elston, putting alot of prssure on Alexandra by good balls going the box and Terry and Elston looking to score.

We then attacked Alexandra and then won a corner which was put in and cleared out to Pat Adams on the edge of the box who volleyed it into the bottom corner 1-0 Ashtead. We put alot of pressure on Alexandra catching them on the break, by now both teams making chance but both keepers making good saves, 2mins before hald time and from a throw on near the corner flag they put a ball in the box and Pat Adams jumped for the ball with a player and the ref gave a penalty for a push?1-1.

Half time I pointed out to the lads that they were falling apart by moaning and getting at the ref, and that we needed to raise our game up and go on to win this by playing as a team and letting them loose their heads. Ashtead went straight out and put the pressure having shot after shot  with the keeper making good saves. Ian Cobbett in goal had some work to do but not alot but when he was called on he was always there 'Safe Hands', Ian has improved alot he is controlling his area and more vocal.

Ben Askew had a strike from 30 yards out he leathered it into the top cross bar which bounced down 2-1 Ashtead, by now Ashtead were in the driving seat so I made a sub bringing off Terry and putting on Dan Ovenden who ran the left wing putting some good balls in started to take more players on which is what we have been getting him to do more of, Will Constant got injured So I came on for him. We scored again with elston taking on 2 pleyers and scoring in the top corner 3-1 Ashtead. I then brang Dean Rushton on for Jay Greetham who almost scored twice. It was a convincing win well played lads