United’s focus switches from their league campaign to the FA Trophy
On Saturday 31st October United’s focus switches from their league campaign to the FA Trophy. A third qualifying round tie at home to Ashford Town is the reward for beating FC Romania in the previous round.
Important information: Attendance is by pre-purchased ticket only. If you’re lucky there may still be tickets available here… United vs Ashford Town tickets
Recent form
Beating Sevenoaks and Whitehawk in consecutive league games, two of last seasons toughest opponents, is a fantastic fillip before United embark upon their forthcoming cup-ties on Saturday and next Tuesday (when we play Eastbourne Borough in the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup second round).
Ryan Worrall’s 25-yard spectacular winner at Sevenoaks remains fresh in the memory and will do so for some time. On Tuesday night the ‘U’s faced an opponent in Whitehawk who battle all the way and once again it took all of United’s strength and resolve to come through and win 2-1. A fantastic performance by both sides which you can read about here… United vs Whitehawk report
As a result, United remain top of the league and kept their unbeaten run for the season going. Their six-game form guide, which includes cup games, is now a healthy string of WWWWWW, scoring 16 goals and conceding three.
Ashford Town have the moniker (Middlesex) to avoid any confusion with the original Ashford Town of Kent, who are now in any case named Ashford United!
The one and only Ashford Town play in the Isthmian South Central league which is the equivalent of the South East league. The Tangerines are currently sixth after seven games having won four, drawn one and lost two. They’ve scored eight goals and conceded seven in their league matches. On Tuesday evening they suffered a 3-0 reverse at home to Chertsey Town ruining their five-game unbeaten run, which included a four-game winning streak.
Last season they finished a lowly seventeenth after 29 games, winning five, drawing five and losing nineteen. But their team looks to have had a major overhaul with a handful at most of last season’s players remaining.
Ashford Town’s six-game form guide is DWWWWL which includes a 1-0 FA Trophy win at home to Whitstable Town. Ashford have scored eight goals and conceded five in their last six games.
Previous meetings
The teams were both in the Isthmian Premier league from 2007 – 2010 and met six times. Ashford Town having the better of those games with four wins, one draw and one defeat. Most recently was a meeting in October 2017 also an FA Trophy tie at the Pilot Field. The visitors moved into the next round after a 4-3 win.
Bottom line
It’s a cup-tie so anything can happen, but the Pilot Field is a difficult place to visit and winning six games on the bounce has been the perfect preparation for United.
Prize fund: Winners receive £2,450, losers receive £625.
A reminder, there are no replays in the FA Trophy this season, to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule. The game moves directly to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.
Match information
Saturday 31st October, 3pm kick off at the TGS Pilot Field (Elphinstone Road, TN34 2AX).
Admission is by pre-purchased ticket only. United vs Ashford Town tickets
£12 for adults, £8 for concessions (OAP/Students) and £1 for Under-16’s (with parental supervision).