Ashford striker Preston Kedwell will never forget his first goal in men’s football – for more than one reason.

Not only was it a special moment for the 16-year-old, but it also made a difference as the ball had burst moments before he kicked it and had to be replaced.

Kedwell’s sixth-minute goal gave the Nuts & Bolts a 3-1 victory at Deal on Tuesday night.

This is their fourth consecutive league victory and places them 10th in the Isthmian South East.

Boss Danny Kedwell was delighted to see his son take off in senior football after giving him a start.

“It was his first competitive goal in men’s football and he deserved it,” the coach said.

“The funny thing is that the bullet burst just before.

“I think it happened during a tackle or something.

“One of our players slipped it and Preston said afterwards he knew the ball had popped so he just had to swat it and it went through the keeper’s legs.

“I knew it was in play, so I wondered why they were all moaning, then I found out the balloon had popped.

“It’s a great feeling to see your boy score.

“To be honest, I celebrated all the goals the same, but when it’s your boy and it’s his first goal in men’s competitive football, it’s special.

“Before that, he was wreaking absolute havoc on them.

“They couldn’t handle it.

“To make this 16, at this kind of level, it’s very good.”

Gary Lockyer added to his double in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Beckenham by giving Ashford a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes.

Deal responded with a Macca Murray penalty but captain Craig Stone clinched the points in the 83rd minute with an effort that surprised even his manager.

“It was an incredible strike – sidefoot, top bins,” Kedwell said. I thought, “Who is this?”

“I didn’t see who was scoring because there were so many bodies and when I saw Stoney running away to celebrate, I thought ‘Damn’. It was the result of a striker, not a central defender. He won’t stop talking about it.

The victory at Beckenham, with James Dunne adding to Lockyer’s brace from the penalty spot, was the first time Ashford had beaten a top team this season.

They backed him to Deal and confidence is high with the Nuts & Bolts on a winning run.

They visit Merstham this Saturday (3pm) and host AFC Croydon at Homelands on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“The determination these boys are showing now, they will not give in,” Kedwell said.

“I said from the beginning you have to build a team and learn how everyone plays and what they are like mentally. I think it’s coming together now.

“Let’s make no mistake, Barry Fuller’s loan made a huge difference and it helped the balance of the team having a right-footed right-back and a left-footed left-back.

“When we were missing players, there were people playing out of position and the balance wasn’t there.

“With Barry, it’s his organization and his word.

“He is a great help not only on the field but also off it.

“He knows the game, he’s been there and he’s done it and he’s a leader.

“We have some leaders now and that makes a big difference.”

Joey Taylor and Noah Carney are available this weekend after recovering from injury.