Written by Kev Goodwin:
Ashley FC came from a goal behind to claim a point against AFC Bohemia on a windy Saturday afternoon at the Downs, but will be disappointed not to have claimed the victory. Bohemia took the lead when their striker lashed in a right-foot shot into the top corner before Kevin Goodwin equalised with a powerful right-foot shot. Ashley had a number of opportunities to take the lead but a combination of wasted chances and good 'keeping denied them. Ashley started brightly and Will Freeman's flicked back header cleared the goal after a corner but it was Bohemia who opened the scoring. A pass down the right found their number 10, who dazzled the defenders before firing right-footed past Paul Freeman at his near post and into the roof of the net. With the wind against them, Bohemia seemed content with sitting on their one goal lead and playing on the break, and this allowed Ashley a route back into the game. Chris Barrett fired over after a Goodwin flick, whilst a Michael Chappell free-kick from 25 yards struck the wall. On the 20 minutes mark, Ashley found themselves level with leading marksmen Goodwin notching his 10th of the season and scoring in his seventh game in a row (apologies Andy Smith once again). After some attacking pressure, the defender failed to clear and Goodwin powered the ball into the corner from the edge of the box. With that goal, Ashley had a new found confidence and Paul Turner's long-range strike was spilt by the 'keeper but the shot-stopped redeemed himself by denying W. Freeman from point blank range. After chances followed, with the best of these falling to W. Freeman once again. The ball broke to him and he found himself through on goal but he blazed over the bar from close-range, and with that went a golden opportunity to take the lead. The second period was a different affair, as Bohemia played with the wind and they used this to good effect, launching long throws into the box at every opportunity. A number of headers and shots flew wide of the post but P. Freeman was largely untroubled. At the other end, Barrett met a deep Alex McGuire cross but was off-target. W. Freeman did have the ball in the back of the net after Turner had cut the ball back but the initial pass to Turner was deemed offside. The best chance of the second half though fell to the midfielder. Dan Scoins inch perfect delivery from a set-piece from the right found the leaping Turner at the back stick but his bullet header narrowly missed the target from close-range. Ultimately, Ashley will be disappointed not to have claimed the three points after putting in a good shift. It was a marked improvement after last week's 6-1 defeat by Wellington Wanderers and the shape of the team looked more settled, reverting to a good old fashion 4-4-2 and utilising the wingers throughout. Next up for Ashley is a match against Clifton St Vincents, who defeated Wellington Wanderers 3-2 today; Clifton St Vincents sit one above Ashley in the league and it will be an important afternoon for both teams.
