Tommy Osborne has challenged Bradley Ryan to finish the season strongly after scoring his first Ashford goal.

Former Chelsea youngster Ryan equalised early in the second half as United came from behind to beat Horndean 3-1 in Isthmian South East on Saturday.

The 21-year-old attacker caught the eye and has the talent to produce that sort of performance regularly.

“Bradley had his best game since signing for us from Beckenham,” said Ashford assistant manager Osborne.

“He got his goal and every time he got the ball he looked like he wanted to make something happen.

“If he could play like that consistently, he can have a very good end to the season.

“Technically, we see him in training and he’s very sharp. He’s got lots of ability.

“For Bradley, the challenge to him is to produce that in games.

“I always think it’s easier for a defender to be consistent than it is for an attacking player.

“It’s not always easy for these flair players to week in, week out, produce the goods.

“So it’s not an easy challenge but if Bradley can find that sort of level of performance more often than not, he can do really well.”

Ryan’s goal triggered a second-half turnaround with Tolulope Jonah and Harvey Brand meeting Max Walsh corners as Ashford extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

Osborne said: “I thought we looked tentative in the first half.

“Horndean looked a lot more comfortable, getting on the ball and not being scared to make mistakes, whereas we looked very hesitant.

“We scored within a minute of the second half and we grew in confidence from that.

“That goal gave us a big lift and we went from being very average to playing very well in the second half.

“It was really pleasing to dominate a half, score three goals and grow in confidence as the game went on.

“We got the goal and all of a sudden everyone wants the ball, everyone’s feeling confident.

“We looked hungry to win the game and we looked like we had goals in us.”

Walsh had been left out but made an impact off the bench by setting up the second and third goals.

“It was a bit harsh to leave him out because he hasn’t done anything wrong in his last two games,” said Osborne.

“He could have had the right hump at being left out and he’d have a case but he’s come on and set up a goal of goals, which is pleasing.”

Ashford face a big test at title-chasing Ramsgate this weekend before the return game at Horndean on Tuesday (7.45pm).

The Rams overturned a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at Homelands last month.

Osborne said: “It’s funny because in the first game we were 2-0 up and playing really well and we had a crazy three minutes.

“We had two injuries at the same time - Vance Bola and Harvey Brand both pulled their calf - and then we gave a penalty away.

“I don’t know whether you take anything from that because it’s a totally different situation this time.

“It’s one of them where you start from scratch and go there and try and win the game.

“We’re not going to play for a draw or anything like that.

“We’re underdogs, and it’s a tall order, but stranger things have happened.

“They’ve got an extremely good squad.

“I honestly think you could pick them up and put them in the Isthmian Premier and they could easily be in the same league position.

“I think you could put them in Conference South and they’d more than hold their own.

“We know that but we can go there and play with a little bit of freedom.

“We can express ourselves and you do see upsets in football all the time, up and down the country every week, and that’s what we’re going to try and do.”

Becky Wyatt scored for Ashford Ladies in a 2-1 London & South East Premier Division defeat by Ebbsfleet on Sunday.