Morden top after clash with title rivals

Steeple Morden 2

Ashdon Villa 0

MORDEN remain top of the BIS League Division 3A after a hard fought clash with title rivals Ashdon.

Manager Kenny Watters made three changes from the side that won comfortably the previous week, opting for experience with the recall of Martin Holt, Jamie Murphy and Jim Watters.

This experience proved invaluable in the first 15 minutes and culminated in the opening goal. The evergreen Graham Collins, who had started brightly, delivered a defence splitting diagonal pass from left wing-back which found Karl Parr. The veteran striker took one touch before drilling the ball into the bottom corner, leaving the keeper helpless.

The lead was soon doubled when the prolific Ben Holt rose highest to flick home a perfectly flighted free-kick from Paul Hutley.

A fantastic save by Brian Sarll, diving low to his right to push away a goal-bound attempt, thwarted the visitors best effort.

As Steeple continued to dominate, the Villa keeper was forced to produce three fine saves before half-time to keep his side in the game.

He reached an attempted lob from Ben Holt after good link up play between Jamie Murphy and Nick Carlton before pushing away a direct free-kick from man of the match, Charlie Prothero. The best save was when he recovered well to deny Karl Parr at the far post.

The second half was littered with fouls and Steeple found it harder to maintain their attacking rhythm. Despite this, apart from one effort that came back off the bar, the Steeple defence were never seriously threatened.

It was the home side who finished the stronger and both Ben Holt and Martin Holt had chances to extend the lead. When the final whistle blew, Steeple were happy with another victory and a sixth clean sheet.

Steeple: B Sarll, M Holt , A Smith, P Hutley, J Watters, G Collins (M Carlton), J Murphy, C Prothero , N Carlton (M Kelsey), K Parr (D Pennell ), B Holt