FARNHAM TN 1, BADSHOT LEA 2

BADSHOT LEA got their season up and running with a sweet victory in an entertaining and high-tempo local derby at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday.

Manager Mark Thomas was able to field a strengthened side, including recently re-signed Nick Sowden, while Paul Tanner rested a couple of players ahead of Farnham’s FA Cup match this weekend.

But Town have a strong squad and they looked like continuing their good form as Jack Dillon finished off a breakaway move after 12 minutes.

Josh Dixon, making only his second start of the season, could have added to the lead as Farnham looked to kill the game off.

However, the Baggies came back strongly and equalised just before half-time. An attack broke down, but the ball popped out to Brad Cann, making his comeback after injury, and he calmly placed his shot in the bottom corner.

Badshot Lea had the better of the second half as Farnham sat off and defended too deep, inviting pressure on themselves.

The home team paid the price when Lea scored the winner on 70 minutes. Joe Sowden sent Danny Turner through and the striker finished expertly in a one-on-one.

Farnham responded with a couple of good chances for substitutes Elliott Cardona and Sam Pedersen, but the finishing touch was lacking.

The Baggies closed the game out and came away with three welcome points – their first of the season.

Ashford Tn 4, Badshot Lea 0. League leaders Ashford maintained their 100 per cent record with a first-half goal romp last Saturday.

Badshot Lea stuck to their attacking principles, but Ashford were unstoppable in the first half. Mark Bitmead opened the scoring with a curling free-kick past debutant keeper Ashley West and Max Webb finished off a slick passing move to make it 2-0 on 19 minutes.

Dan Fleming latched on to Tommy Brunton’s defence-splitting pass to lob West for the third goal and Brunton himself gave Ashford an unassailable 4-0 lead after Bitmead’s effort had been blocked on the line.

The second half was different and Badshot Lea deserved credit for holding Ashford at bay, with West making some fine saves.