Uxbridge Weather the Storm

Storm Bert provided an interesting subtext to this match on Saturday, as the swirling wind and rain - especially as the game wore on, made for challenging conditions. It was however the visiting Reds who mastered them best to take the three points, making it 30 points taken from the last 13 games - moving them up to 5th place and into the play-offs.

It was the home side who started better though, and they took the lead with the first action of any note on 7 minutes, when a cross came on from the left hand side, and Tristan Francois Vernal was left to head the ball home at the far post. It wasn't until the quarter hour mark that Uxbridge mustered anything like a chance, when a corner was pulled back to the edge of the box, and Leo Decabo saw his shot blocked and deflected over the bar. It was the home side making the running though, Liam Moore was unable to connect with a cross when well placed which would have made it two. Vernal nearly doubled his tally on 38 minutes, as his shot was narrowly over. George Moore was providing Uxbridge’s main threat, and he had a shot saved well at the near post just before the break - but ultimately a frustrating half came to an end.

HT 0-1

It was a different Uxbridge who came out second half, now they were first to loose balls and really started to exert some pressure on the home side. Just 2 minutes into the half they drew level when Moore was played in, and he lashed a fierce shot high past the keeper into the top corner. On 53 minutes the home side had a good chance to retake the lead when a good break saw Jaden Atkinson clear, but his shot went wide. That was Ashford’s last chance of note, and as the weather deteriorated, Uxbridge got stronger. The Reds took the lead on the hour, as Moore again was played into the box, and this time it was a calm low finish past the keeper that gave him his 11 goal in all competitions this season. Ten minutes later it was home keeper Marcin Brzozowski - who performed admirably at Honeycroft in the return fixture back in September - who had to be at his best again, keeping out a powerful header from CJ Fearn, when he seemed certain to score. Moore thought he had his hat-trick on 81 minutes, but was flagged offside as he looped the ball into the net. He had another chance on 86 minutes, but Brzozowski was again equal to the shot, blocking well low down. Uxbridge ended the game strongly, with Scott Armsworth going close with a header, and Ada Okorogheye having done well to get into the box past the defence, saw his shot blocked from a narrow angle. There was time for Luke Paris to make an appearance as a makeshift striker, and he almost made an instant impact, breaking clear and curling a low shot that Brzozowski was just able to parry. 

Uxbridge though were good value for the win and now face a tricky midweek trip to South Park (Reigate) on Tuesday evening, a ground that hasn't been a happy hunting ground - but they can go into the match full of confidence.

FT 2-1

Att: 96