Find local news in Kent

Home   Ashford   Sport   Article

Ashford United No.2 Shaun Welford looking forward to trip home to North East in Vase replay

09:00, 31 January 2016

Shaun Welford says a midweek training session paid off after scoring in Ashford United's 1-1 FA Vase Fifth Round draw against former winners Dunston at Homelands on Saturday.

United will be in Monday's quarter-final draw, but now face a long trip to Gateshead in next week's replay.

Welford won't be short of support either, hailing as he does from Cramlington - just 12 miles away.

He headed United in front after only 10 minutes, before Aristotte Guerin came off the bench to score the equaliser just past the hour.

Ashford United's Ryan Palmer challenges for the ball with a Dunston defender in the 1-1 FA Vase draw at Homelands last season Pic: Paul Amos
Ashford United's Ryan Palmer challenges for the ball with a Dunston defender in the 1-1 FA Vase draw at Homelands last season Pic: Paul Amos

He admitted: "I have been struggling with my head this season.

"I am normally good for 15 or 20 a season, but only had one before today.

"So on Tuesday night in training, we did crossing and finishing and it worked.

"What a peach of a cross (from Taser Hassan), I didn't have to move, and I got it in the corner, and we could have nicked another two before half-time, if we had done that it would have been game over, and happy days."

The goal was Welford's 19th of the season.

He added: "It was nice to get one with my head, and I'll take that confidence into next week.

"It's a trip up North, my homeland, and it means my family will get the chance to see me play for the first time in a long while, so they will be happy.

"We would have rather got it done on the day, but we'll go up there and give it a damn good shot."

The quarter-final draw takes place on Monday, but the pairings will be complicated as one other last-16 tie was postponed, while holders North Shields still have to play their delayed fourth round tie at Northern League rivals Morpeth.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More