Not a classic overall though.
It would be fair to say that the expectation that this would be a classic game was always greater than the likelihood it would be, such is the way it seems these days at all levels of football when the result is more important than the performance itself.
With both teams riding high in the SCEFL Premier table, Ashford United were top prior to this game and the Crows were lying third in the table, only two points behind, it was a game neither team would really want to lose, even at this early stage in the season.
Personally, whilst I'd like to see "sexy football" every match, it's just not possible to play that way in every match you're involved in, just because each team you play is different and have their own style of play and you have to match them at times to get anything out of a game. There is a saying after all that you have to "earn the right to play" and the Crows definitely did that against Ashford United.
The away side were definitely a team of "giant Redwoods", most of them very tall and wide of girth, as well as being physically strong. They did have two or three small "spruce" trees in their line-up, which gave them some pace in the side but they are formatted to play a certain way where physical strength is the key.
Whilst we are a taller side this season compared to previous years, only Zac Attwood, of our outfield players, came anywhere near the same height as five or six of their players and he was even dwarfed by their giant number nine, Ryan James, who didn't play up front but in a midfield position, much to the delight of our back three I'm sure. James would make even Big Dan in the Crow's goal look like a mere mortal in the height stakes and there's not too many that can do that.
It became obvious as to their style of play right from the kick off, be as physical as you can be and get away with as much as the referee will allow you to. Also, get the ball forward as quickly as possible so their quick, smaller forwards, Hill, Miller and Palmer can chase the ball down and turn our defenders.
The tone for the whole game was set within the first minutes, both number eights, Walder for the Crows and Davison for Ashford both saw yellow cards as they clashed in midfield and decided to swap handbags, much to referee Dan Doyle's discussed. Both could have seen red, perhaps they should have done, but yellow it was and it stayed at 11 v 11 for now but how long would it stay that way we thought.
From then on referee Doyle had to keep a tight rein on proceedings and it soon became clear that his way of dealing with this issue was to award a free kick one way or the other whenever there was any physical contact therefore, the half was littered with stoppages and never really flowed from that moment on.
His other action was to hand out further yellow cards to Ashford United players, three in total, whilst we remained yellow free for the rest of the first half. As for the football it was mainly the Crows who looked the most likely to score as they at least tried to pass the ball to one another, new signing Dan Perry looking very effective up front with Attwood as Treleaven was not available to play.
In the 17th minute the Crows went 1-0 up, Attwood burst through from midfield on a solo run, beating two players along the way, he surged in to the area before he was brought down by Botterill, the Ashford United left back. Penalty was awarded by referee Doyle, much to Botterill's disgust, especially when he brandished the yellow card and up stepped Attwood to take the penalty. Taylor in the United goal made a good save but unfortunately for him, the rebound fell kindly for Attwood and he had a simple task of putting the ball in the net.
Ellis in the Crow's goal didn't have a shot to save in the first half and the only threat to the Crow's defence came from long balls, corners and free kicks whenever they had the chance to put them in our area. However, Dan cleared them up when he had to but because the back three of Tear, Barton and Boddy played so well throughout, he was virtually a spectator for large parts of the match.
1-0 became 2-0 just on half time, Carrington received the ball just on the left edge of the United penalty area and he was closely marked by Botterill who seemed to have the situation under control however, Carrington was able to turn the defender and unleash a shot at the United goal. With Taylor not even moving the ball went passed him like an Exocet missile and flew in to his top right hand corner of the net, what a goal to put the Crows 2-0 up.
The second half mirrored much the same as the first and I was rather surprised that United didn't try to do anything rather different to get back in to the game, I know they say a "leopard never changes its spots" but when things aren't working you normally have to make a conscious effort to try something different.
Still the physical aspect of the game seemed to be the most important thing to them and a further two yellow cards were shown by referee Doyle to their players, although our captain, Lee Carey also saw yellow late on in the game for a tackle worthy of a card in Doyle's eyes. That booking means Carey will have a one match suspension coming his way as he's had five now this season.
The Crows still did most of the attacking and had it not been for Taylor, the defeat would have been greater plus he was helped out by the woodwork on a couple of occasions as Perry twice hit the post with shots, one effort was saved only partially by Taylor but he was able just to get up and knock the ball off the line as Attwood was about to put it in the back of the net.
Near the end Crows brought on Appiah, Slocombe and Shea, with Walder, Carrington and Muggeridge going off for a much earned rest. United also made substitutions throughout the second period. An odd occurrence happened in the 59th minute when a player that played for us on Tuesday evening against Eltham Palace, Adrian Stone, then game on as a substitute for United having transferred to them on Friday afternoon.
In the 75th minute Mickelson went off and Ince came on and in the 78th minute Hill went off for Eldridge to come on. Stone eventually had their best chance but his header, from a Miller cross, was put wide when he may think he should've got the effort on target.
In the end it finished with 11 v 11 on the pitch, surprisingly, and the Crows had secured a 2-0 win and the three points on offer. They went above the visitors by one point and in to second place as AFC Croydon Athletic went top as they won 5-1 away at Bearsted.
The Crows have now won 11 games on the trot, 13 wins out of 14 in total, only the 1-1 away at Rochester United spoiling things since last lost 2-1 at home to the new leaders 15 games ago and we are still in four cup competitions, so things are pretty good at the moment.
At the end of the match there was a mini-pitch invasion, see picture for what I mean, as the rest of the 294 in attendance either went home or down to the clubhouse to either celebrate or drown their sorrows, depending on which team they supported.
The Man of the Match was a difficult decision as every Crow played their part in the win but in the end it went to Jason Barton for a commanding performance at the heart of the back three who were all superb on the day.