The Crows travelled to the Green Box Stadium to face Ashford United, and from the outset it was clear this would be a lively contest. Firstly, the setting for this battle was a real highlight, a lovely ground with welcoming staff and brilliant music! However, we knew the match itself was going to be anything but gentle.

Inside the opening minutes, Muggeridge was already calling the referee’s attention to a downed Ashford player. Just two minutes later, Crowborough created their first chance, followed in the 5th minute by an early corner. Muggeridge delivered the ball well, but Ajayi’s shot drifted wide. Goldsmith set the tone at the back with some fierce early defending, and the Crows earned a free kick after Killick was bundled to the ground. Turner then found himself in the referee’s book on 14 minutes, tasked with dealing a tricky Ashford winger on an early warning.

Ashford squandered a golden opportunity in the 17th minute, missing an open goal, while Killick and Rushy combined beautifully soon after to move the Crows forward. The game swung from end to end, both sides wasting corners and testing each other’s resolve. Around the 24th minute, Crowborough forced two saves from the Ashford keeper in quick succession, leading to a pair of corners that came to nothing. Rushy then broke through for the best chance so far in the 27th minute, one-on-one with the keeper, but Ashford’s stopper stood tall and denied him. Moments later, Aiye whipped in a dangerous cross only for Ashford’s back line to intervene.

The contest grew increasingly physical as half-time approached, with challenges flying in. In added time, Forster was through on goal but delayed his shot with an extra step, allowing the keeper to smother the ball. The whistle went with the score still 0-0.

The second half resumed with the Crows looking sharp. Pearson replaced Aiye on the hour mark as fresh legs were introduced. The breakthrough came in dramatic fashion in the 68th minute: Rushy was brought down inside the box, sparking controversy. Ashford’s number 5 received a straight red card, and their number 15 went into the book as well. Rushy stepped up calmly and converted the penalty, giving Crowborough a 1-0 lead. Killick then made way for London in the 72nd minute as the Crows sought control.

Ashford’s frustration showed with another yellow card on 80 minutes, and further substitutions followed for Crowborough in the 82nd, Forster and Turner off for Lambden and Reed, before Rushy was replaced by Mayhew in the 89th. The hosts nearly had the last laugh in stoppage time when a defensive error saw the ball bundled goalwards, sparking premature celebrations from the Ashford fans. Fortunately for the Crows, the effort nestled behind the net rather than inside it.

When the final whistle blew, Crowborough had secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, a huge morale boost ahead of the Sussex Senior Cup tie on Tuesday 30th, followed by a packed October, with a list of 8 fixtures. A gritty performance, a valuable result… now pass the coffee!