Combined Counties League Division One
Ash United 0 Farleigh Rovers 1
ANOTHER proud performance by Farleigh's Foxes lifted them back to top spot in the table following this hard earned third successive league victory, at Shawfields Stadium on Saturday.
Barry Regelous' determined and talented side, delivered one of their outstanding displays of the season so far to topple fifth placed promotion chasing Hampshire hosts as The Farleigh Army conquered The Green Army on a muddy pitch.
Out of form Ash were clearly determined to bounce back from recent results despite missing regular goalkeeper Andy Rider and star striker Jourdain Coleman among others and enjoyed countless first-half chances, with left-winger Jacob Peace proving to be extremely dangerous as he cut in. But opportunities inside the penalty area came to nothing as keeper Andrew Osei was so well protected by his outstanding defence.
The deadlock was broken crucially after 35 minutes when man of the match centre-back Liam Neaves' deep free-kick from inside the visitors' half was flighted perfectly for magnificent Martin Smith to ghost to the near post, powering home an unstoppable header past stand-in keeper Nic Watmore as the striker underlined such a strong start to the game.
Captain and centre-back Adam Cassim was also outstanding at the heart of the defence. In addition, midfielder and head coach Tim Moffatt showed his experience in making vital interceptions, along with key defenders in particular, to enable Foxes to restrict concerted attacks on their penalty area, while also enabling a launch pad for their own attacking breakaways which kept their hosts occupied on occasions.
Boss Regelous shuffled his pack intelligently in the second half and, despite further Ash pressure, Foxes survived three additional minutes played by impressive referee Andrew Beeney to run out deserved winners in spite of their hosts' constant insertions into their penalty area.
With North Greenford United visiting Parsonage Field on Saturday (2pm), Foxes will be desperate to build on their league leadership particularly ahead of the following Saturday's testing trip to fellow title contenders Banstead Athletic at Merland Rise.
Farleigh Rovers: Andrew Osei , Daniel Canning, Gary Webb, Danny Clayton, Adam Cassim (capt), Liam Neaves, Ellis Burke (Jack Naraine 59 mins), Jamie Jagdeo (Dan Drake 69 mins), Martin Smith (Jordan Regelous 79 mins), Tim Moffatt, Jovaun Henry. Unused subs: Luke Stevens, Jack Nicholson.
