We experienced the highs and lows of football in this exciting FA Cup tie. It had all the necessary ingredients to make this a classic cup encounter with the underdogs taking an early lead, then being pegged back by their more senior hosts with a dramatic finale when we thought we had booked our place in the next round when Graham Hall scored in added time only to be denied at the death when Graham scored again but this time at the wrong end to send the tie into a replay.

All this excitement was conducted against the back drop of the capricious British weather, with torrential rain, thunder and lighting and then sunshine. The excessive rain caused nearby Staines Town's game to be abandoned after only 8 minutes but the Robert Parker Stadium pitch was still very playable much to the credit of the home groundsman.

We set our stall out with a 4-3-2-1 formation clearly designed to contain the threat posed by our Southern League opponents and to catch them on the break. It drew instant success when we took the lead after only 2 minutes. It stemmed from a fine move down the left, with the ball being partially cleared to the edge of the area to Connor Waite who half volleyed it home. Score 0-1.

Ashford came back strongly enjoying the bulk of possess and playing some nice football but we were well organised and Mike Underwood was well protected. The home forwards worked hard and showed a lot of movement with their biggest threat coming down their right through the speedy Mark Bitmead, but we defended calmly and reduced our opponents to long range efforts which failed to find the target. Midway through the half a super cross was struck to our far post but Matt Jarvis read the situation well to head the ball clear as Mark Bitmead closed in.

Our plan was to hit the home side on the break and we were neat and tidy in possession but we were not unduly stretching Ashford keeper Paul McCarthy, although the custodian had to be alert when Graham Hall struck a lovely 35 yard volley which just cleared the bar. As the first half started to come to a close the home side stepped up their efforts to go into the break on level terms and Matt Jarvis had to make a timely interception after a quick break involving Ashley Lodge and Dan Brown.

We came under intense pressure just before the break when Ashford won 3 successive corners after 2 shots were deflected over. From the 3rd Bairoh Conteh headed in but the home supporters celebrations were cut short when the Referee blew for an infringement and we were able to able to keep hold of our slim lead as we went in for half time.

Half Time:Ashford Town0Tring Athletic 1

Our game plan for the second half would have revolved around keeping it tight at the back to frustrate our opponents and not allow them an easy route back into the game. But that plan went out of the window within 50 seconds when we conceded a sloppy goal. Possession was given away far too easily in midfield and Ashford made full use of the opportunity to play the ball out to Mark Bitmead who was in acres of space and from outside the box he fired a pin point shot past Mike Underwood into the far corner. Score 1-1.

It was not the start to the second period we would have wanted and the nature of the game changed as the goal pepped up the home side and for a while we struggled to contain them. Mark Bitmead's cross from the right just failed to pick out Dan Brown in the middle and then Brown was presented with an opportunity but he fired his shot wide.

Julian decided to make a change bringing on George House for David Whicker in the 53rd minute. As the game progressed we got our shape and confidence back as the home side's threat started to weaken. In the 66th minute Reon Thomas set up George House for a shot which the keeper saved comfortably but it was the start of a good spell for us. Soon afterwards a corner fell to Graham Hall who looked destined to score but his shot was deflected over. The home side were still dangerous from corners and from their attacks and Mark Bitmead tried his luck with a snap shot which Mike Underwood pushed wide for a corner.

With 10 minutes to go Chris Salmon demonstrated his prodigious heading skills to nod a corner back across goal where it fell to his fellow centre back Andy Hughes who fired a great chance over the bar. We were enjoying a very good spell and we had another great opportunity in the 84th minute when Reon Thomas kneed the ball over the keeper but also over the bar. The home right back Harry Knock tested Mike Underwood with a fierce shot and Andy Humphreys was prevented from latching onto a through pass by an interception from Bairoh Conteh.

As the game entered the final throes a replay seemed the obvious outcome but there was still more drama to follow. Three minutes into added time there was joy for us when Graham Hall superbly volleyed home a corner at the near post to seemingly book our place in the next round. Score 1-2. But 2 minutes later Ashford won a free kick (which it must be said was extremely harsh) and when the ball was played into the area it came off the back of Graham's head and into the net for an unbelievable equaliser. Score 2-2.

Full Time:Ashford Town2Tring Athletic 2

The Replay will take place on Tuesday 28th August at The Grass Roots Stadium, kick off 7.45pm, which means our scheduled visit to AFC Dunstable on Wednesday night is now off.

A terrific performance by the lads against a good side from the next level up in the football pyramid. They showed a lot of character to get back in the game after conceding an equaliser early in the second half and they got stronger as the game progressed and created several clear opportunities to win the tie. It was a good all round team performance with centre backs Chris Salmon and Andy Hughes in particular having outstanding games. But we must be aware that it will be tougher in the replay as Ashford will be determined to make their superior status pay. The winners will play Dunstable Town away after they beat North Greenford 4-2.

Teams:

AT: 1 Paul McCarthy 2 Harry Knock 3 Ed Thomas 4 Bairoh Conteh 5 Jack Mullan 6 Scott Weight 7 Mark Bitmead 8 Ashley Lodge (Capt) 9 Dan Brown 10 Kofi Lockhart-Adams (Joe Bennett 80) 11 Alex Duffy (Samad Kazi 74). Subs not used: Perry Luckins, Russell Canderon, George Armstrong.

TA: 1 Mike Underwood 2 Rob Duncan 3 Matt Jarvis 4 Chris Salmon 5 Andy Hughes 6 Dave Whicker (George House 53) 7 Tony Fields 8 Connor Waite (Connor Smith 80) 9 Reon Thomas (Andy Humphreys 85) 10 Graham Hall (Capt) 11 Sam Mitchell. Subs not used: Sam Addae, Mike Osborne, Nick Law.


Goals:

AT:Mark Bitmead (46), Graham Hall OG (90+5)

TA:Connor Waite (2), Graham Hall (90+3)

Crowd:75

AT Website:http://ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com/

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