Spectacular Cashman strike gives Dunstable Town hard-fought victory over rock-bottom Ashford

Promotion-chasing Dunstable Town claimed a 1-0 victory at struggling Ashford Town (Middx) in Calor Southern League Division One Central on Saturday.

This hard-fought game was ultimately decided by a superb 19th-minute volley from the in-form Leon Cashman, which sent spirited Ashford to the bottom of the league.

The Tangerines belied their position with a commendable second half performance where, for the last 10 minutes they fought bravely for an equaliser, as the Blues ultimately prevailed.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “It was a good performance to be fair, Ashford grafted and we had to match them and they done it well.

“It was a great goal from Cashman after a fine pass from Adam Watkins.

“Lee Roache and Terry Dixon worked their centre-halves, but we also rested Chris Marsh and Tony Burnett and Kyle Anthony ready for our match against Daventry on Tuesday, which is our cup final.”

Dunstable dominated proceedings in the first half and, but for a fine save by keeper Tyler Tobin from a second Cashman strike, would have trailed 2-0 at the interval.

The Blues played some slick football in the opening stages and had several meaningful attempts on goal after some fluid build-up play.

Ashford almost hit Dunstable on the counter as their best move called for a goal-line clearance from the visitors.

Dunstable though broke the deadlock when a swift move on the left saw Watkins’ superb diagonal pass fall perfectly for utility man Cashman to volley into the top right corner.

Cashman almost replicated this a little later after his shot rebounded to him, but his rebound cleared the bar.

Having been thrashed 8-2 at Creasey Park earlier in the season, Ashford harried Dunstable throughout.

Although restricted to sporadic goal attempts, Dunstable protected their lead win and stay second in the table, just three points behind leaders Rugby Town.

This Tuesday Dunstable go to promotion rivals Daventry Town and on Saturday host AFC Hayes.

Tangerines: Tyler Tobin, Ryan Dearden, Ben Ewing, Russell Canderton (C), Jack Mullan, Jim Mann (Scott Weight), Jack Beadle (Jacob Fuller), Elliott Jones, James Awofisan (Rhys Price) Conor Moody, Tom Brunton. Substitutes not used: Alex Fisher, Dan Hughes.

Blues: Jamie Head, Jerome Jibodu, Danny Murphy, Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Nathan Frater, Lee Roache, Terry Dixon (Ryan Plowright), Leon Cashman. Substitutes not used: Newman Carney, Kyle Anthony, Taishan Griffith, Tony Fontanelle.

Booked: Dearden; Weight; Jones.

Referee: Ernie Moore.

Assistant Referees: Jack O’Hene and Simon Parbery.

Attendance: 108.

Star Blue: Leon Cashman.