29th April 2019
Ashford United are through to the Bostik South East play-off final after a dramatic 3-2 win at Hastings on Monday night.
A Sam Corne penalty in the last minute of extra-time meant the Nuts and Bolts twice came from behind to seal a place in Friday night’s final away at Horsham.
Manager Tommy Warrilow believes that Ashford were worthy winners on the night.
He said: “For the neutral it was a fantastic game, but I think we deserved it because we went for it a little bit more, and that showed because all our goals were really well worked.
“We put in such a good performance – I don’t think anyone had a bad game at all. Everyone’s contribution was fantastic, including the fans. They didn’t stop singing even when we went behind.”
Warrilow says that tomorrow’s final is evenly poised and that no-one would have wanted to play United in the play-offs.
He added: “When it comes to Friday, I don’t put Horsham as favourites. If you asked any of the other teams in the play-offs who they wouldn’t want to play, I’m sure they’d all say us.
“The boys are so fit and mentally strong, and we’ll be well prepared with the thought of winning the game.”
In a tight first-half, a spell of four goals in a frantic 20 minutes after the break brought the game to life as both teams searched for a winner.
Just two minutes after half-time, Hastings took the lead as great wing-play by midfielder Lanre Azeez allowed him to square to Davide Rodari, and he duely slotted the ball past Sam Mott.
But Ashford quickly responded and were immediately level. Terrific work-rate by Danny Parish gave him some room to cross for Jay May, and the big striker stabbed the ball past the Hastings ‘keeper after his initial header was saved.
However, Hastings took the lead for the second time in a match that was now end-to-end between the sides. Striker Jack Dixon had just enough time to prod the ball home in the box, much to the delight of a season-record crowd at The Pilot Field.
Yet the travelling United fans were as loud as ever again just four minutes later; Toby Ajala delivering an inch-perfect cross from the left that captain Sam Corne brilliantly headed home.
With neither team able to find a winner in the 90 minutes, an enthralling semi-final had to be decided by extra-time on an increasingly cold night on the Sussex coast.
With just seconds remaining, a terrific long ball left top-scorer Parish through on goal, and his pace proved too much for the Hastings defence who fouled the striker inside the box.
Despite an anxious wait for the penalty to be taken, Corne ultimately kept his head under the most extreme pressure to slot brilliantly low to the ‘keeper’s right, as staff and fans erupted with relief.
With half the job now done, United face Horsham in the final on Friday, and will fancy their chances against a team they nearly beat just a few weeks ago in a 0-0 draw away from home.
Boss Tommy Warrilow says the final is evenly poised
Ashford United: Mott, Aboagye (McIntyre, 115mins), Mendy, Wisson, Coker, Kamara, Corne, Anidugbe, Parish, May (Williams, 83mins), Ajala
Subs not used: Hook, Munyama, Woodcock
Attendance: 1,123
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