Ash Utd 2 Banstead Athletic 3

Banstead Athletic came through this game with a solid performance against a strong Ash Utd side, writes Bob Lockyer.

It didn't look like it after six minutes when the As keeper Matt Amis was sent off for handball outside the area.

The only person to give it was the assistant referee -according to both sets of supporters, it hit the goalkeeper's head.

Dave Hawkins took over in goal as he had done in the previous game.

Then the referee ordered As full-back Tom Jelly to leave the field to remove an earring.

That did not deter Banstead from pushing on and Mu Maan duly put them ahead after 20 minutes.

He collected the ball on the halfway line, rounded four players and calmly placed the ball into the top left hand corner.

After that, they never seemed to be in trouble, creating a host of chances but just failed to finish them off.

Second goal came after 43 minutes from Carl Gibbs - he met a great cross from Dean Sammut and side-footed it into the net.

Ash came out strongly in the second half there was some good play from both sides.

The pitch was cutting up badly in places it wasn't easy to control the ball.

Ash scored after a goalmouth scramble on 54 minutes through Cousins, that seem to spur United on.

This lasted only a short while, on 55 minutes Banstead's Leon Wallace scored a typical forward's goal.

From 10 yards out, he managed to get it through a crowd of players, this was the point the stuffing was knocked out of United.

Banstead were now 3-1 up. Carl Gibbs broke free with only the keeper to beat but he hit the post. The ball rebounded to an Ash player, who launched it forward for their substitute Parish to tap it in on 89 minutes.

Banstead held firm and ran out deserved victors. Manager Paul Norris was justifiably ecstatic with the performance.

He said: It was tough to come to a place like Ash United having to reshuffle the players around after the first few minutes and, in the end, come away with a win.

"The committment, attitude was brilliant from all concerned, I'm over the moon.

"Scoring three goals in a game was great - last time we did that was against Chertsey back in January.

"The boys all stood up and were counted. Jamie Summers, for a 17-year-old was composed, passed well, Chris Davidson was immense on the field.

"Dave Hawkins did very well in goal. An all round great performance, one that has been coming for sometime."

Banstead: Amis, Chalke, Jelly, Hawkins, Patterson, Davidson, Sammut, Frimpong, Maan, Gibbs, Quintyne, Summers, Wallace, Prendergast