Kyle Cartwright put on the Captains armband for today’s game, Daventry Town Manager Darran Foster having left his usual captain Guy Sanders on the bench, allowing Sanders to take a much deserved break from the action, to rest in preparation for the final five league games.
Samad Kazi forced Daventry Town keeper Richard Morris to save down at his left hand post in the third minute and Josh Blake headed narrowly over the crossbar, after a fine cross from Ross Oulton after ten minutes.
Ashley Robinson provided Josh Blake with the Towns next opportunity, flicking on a long throw in from Callum Burgess, Blake turning swiftly to his a shot on target, which was saved by the Ashford keeper Paul McCarthy.
Richard Morris, the Daventry town goalkeeper made an excellent save, in the seventeenth minute, after Samad Kazi had made a determined run down the right wing and hit a ferocious shot on target, Morris turning the ball around his left hand post.
Josh Blake was presented with another opportunity by Ashley Robinson, the big striker hitting a swift pass to Blake, standing in front of the goal, but Josh was unable to control the ball and the ball was cleared from the danger area.
Nat Liburd had the chance to cross the ball to an unmarked Marcus Jackson in the goal mouth, but his cross was hurried and went high and wide.
Ashford striker Matt Bennett was presented with a golden opportunity to put the Middlesex club, ahead after thirty minutes, but his weak shot was easily saved by Richard Morris, when perhaps he should have put in a much stronger shot to test Morris.
The breakthrough for Ashford came in the thirty fifth minute, Centre forward Matt Baxter chipping Richard Morris from distance to put Ashford ahead.
Seven minutes later Daventry Town were back on equal terms, a wonderful curling free kick from Jamie Gould, found the head of Ashley Robinson, who rose perfectly to direct the ball past Ashford keeper McCarthy.
Having gone in at half time all square, Daventry started the second half on fire, and were rewarded within two minutes with their second goal, the energetic Marcus Jackson crossed the ball from the right to Ashley Robinson, who headed the ball down into the path of Ryan Howell, who smashed his shot to the keepers left, to give the Town a deserved lead.
Daventry were unlucky not to go further ahead, Liam Dolman heading against the crossbar, after an hour on the clock had elapsed.
Kyle Cartwright gave away a foul on the edge of the Daventry penalty area, and keeper Richard Morris was again called into making a fine save, turning the free kick around his right hand post, to preserve the Town one goal advantage.
Matt Bennett, the Ashford Centre forward, had his Ronnie Rosenthal moment, when Samad Kazi provided a perfect pass to his feet, right in front of goal, but he somehow managed to put his shot wide of the goal, at least Rosenthal hit the crossbar!
Marcus Jackson had an effort soon after, but he was leaning back as he hit the ball, with the result that his shot went high over the crossbar.
Daventry keeper Richard Morris made two excellent saves from Mark Butmead, eventually pushing the ball around his left hand post for a corner!
Daventry Manager Darran Foster took off Blake and Liburd replacing them with Mykel Beckley and Scott Cross, Cross having an immediate impact, going very close with a stunning volley, which went narrowly past the Ashford keeper’s right hand post.
Ashford made a vociferous claim for a penalty, when it appeared that Shane Gibson had been pushed over in the penalty area, fortunately for Daventry, their appeals were waved aside.
Daventry also had Liam Dolman to thank for a timely clearance off his own goal line, in the dying minutes of the game.
A tough game, against very determined opposition, but Daventry secured yet another three vital points, continuing their good run of form.

Daventry are away from home for the next two matches, AFC Hayes in North London next Tuesday (09/04/13) and nearby Aylesbury FC, The Affinity Stadium, Haywood Way next Saturday (13/04/13).
Daventry Town will then play at the Sixfields Stadium, home of Northampton Town FC, on Tuesday 16th April when they take on Corby Town FC, in the Final of the Northamptonshire Senior Cup.

A big crowd is expected to watch two of the counties best non – league clubs compete for the counties top football trophy at this level, prices have been announced as £6 admission.

See you there!

Up the Town

Purple Army.

JWD©