Throughout the game Sutton found the Ashford defence difficult to break down, but achieved a breakthrough just before half time when Katie McIntyre forced the ball over the line following a corner (above) to register her first goal in Sutton colours.

However Ashford came back after the interval to score two fine goals from outside the penalty area, and after Jaz Backhurst had gone closest to an equaliser when her shot was saved, Ashford made the game safe when a striker dispossessed goalkeeper Marni Humphries and shot home to make it 3-1.

Sutton: M Humphries, M Knowlton-South, K McIntyre, S Modak, J Backhurst, F Colepio, A Bowles, C Francis, E Spear, D Wells, K Kabadaki. Subs Z McNulty, E Williams, K McKenzie, E Meehan, T Hooper.

There was better news for the development side who went on a goal spree against Cranleigh, winning 11-1 at the David Weir Centre, but frustration for the reserves when their game at Milford & Witley was abandoned due to torrential rain after just four minutes.

Next week the first team are away to Enfield Town, the reserves at home to Richmond Park in Collingwood Recreation Ground and the development side are away to Reigate. Full details are on the respective team page of the website.

To complete the weekend round-up, the academy side went down to a 90th minute goal at home to Luton on Saturday morning, the young side giving an excellent account of themselves against Premier League opposition and unlucky to lose to such a late goal. On Saturday we are away to Gillingham – venue to be confirmed.