Another week, another injury-hampered squad rolled up to the Ashford ballpark in search of victory. This week the doctor's notes were in, Tonsillitis for one, covid for the next. A nasty duo, but would they turn out to be as nasty as...

Sub #1 and sub #2 (or in more affectionate terms, Nathan and Peter) kindly offered over from Ashford. Ohhh Noooo!

The game started at a pace, quick, frantic, searching aerials, incisive 1-2s, and well worked triangles. Ashford had upped their game. The M-Zs had midfield dynamos including "number 16" and a number of other wonderkin. With a drop of a shoulder and turn of pace he threatened to lose you in a second. Jockey, the call from the backs.

This pace continued throughout, only ceasing to let off at the whistle for a short corner or the sweet relief of half (less so full) time.

It was one of these short corners that the opener was found. Flicked from the top, a save from Chris ricocheting against the knee of Bacon Bro Snr and nestling against the backboard.

While it would have been easy to let the heads drop, the Valley +2 stayed in the fight and continued making chances.

With the ball worked from the left, it found its way to MENS 1S PLAYER OF YEAR Rohan Stephenson, who hiy to the back post. Waiting there, and eager sub #2 who deflected valley level.

AwPeter, the league organise, playing against his home club was on the score sheet. Haters will say it was rigged, valley didn't care.

As the half time whistle came valley found injuries brewing. Brad's rib had given way, and Freddie had been battling through an injured toe that was on it's last legs. A reshuffle moved Freddie up front, Harry to new realms at left back and Nathan to right back.

The second half started on Valleys term, controlling the ball more and finding space between the lines. The hobbling Freddie was managing to find space up top, and threatened on multiple occasions.

But the breakthrough came as sub #1 picked up the ball on the right and drove, and drove, and drove. Finding himself on the J he pulled the ball back to the centre where sub #2 was waiting to put it past the keeper. 2-1. A truly classic valley goal...

2-1 down, yet in many ways 3-0 up, Ashford were out for vengeance. For the final 25 minutes they pressed and pressed. Valley countered, but with no avail, and with 65 on the clock Ashford finally found their breakthrough. Desmond, 2-2.

The last 5 minutes were a blur, both teams searching for a winner. But with moments on the clock a valley long corner found its way to Harry on the left. A flick in found a foot and valley had a short, and with 2 blows on the whistle, this was the final play of the game.

Injection from Harry. Ben reacts to stop it on his strong side. Stops. Strikes. Ashford stick. Ashford knee. Another short.

The second injection found Ben's target. He stopped. James dragged to the right post. But not expecting Rohan to have such speed late in the game, he missed his target. Instead threading the ball through his legs and seeing it painstakingly fly off the pitch to end the game.

Full Time: 2-2
MOM: Freddie, a new position at right back in the first half, and a second half of battling through injury and still giving Ashford a scare.