LIV’S TOP OF THE BILL AT SELSEY IN 4-0 TRIUMPH
Liv Glover (pictured) scored twice to ensure Ascot United Women head into the Christmas break top of the league after recording a 4-0 win on the road at winless Selsey on Sunday afternoon.
Andy Cox’s troops overcame illness in the squad – just three substitutes were named – and needed to be patient before eventually running out winners on the Sussex seaside.
Beth Lloyd rifled into the roof of the net after 41 minutes to give her side a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Glover doubled the advantage soon after the restart before Ascot’s full-backs combined for a third on 64 minutes when Alix Todd’s cross picked out Georgia Luckhurst-McCord at the far post to convert.
And, Glover’s red-hot scoring sequence continued as she added her second and Ascot’s fourth with ten minutes remaining, coolly finishing with the outside of her boot.
The win puts Ascot three points clear of nearest challengers Oxford City, who stumbled to a 7-2 reverse at AFC Portchester and have played two more games than Ascot. Portchester, along with Wycombe – who also won – are surely now their main title rivals after 5th-placed Woodley lost 5-2 at Winchester.
And if that wasn’t enough, Ascot United Women’s Reserves are also top of the league below their first team heading into the break, after inflicting a first – and what might prove crucial – defeat of the season on Penn and Tylers Green Women. Penn are now 13 points below Ascot albeit with four games in hand; it now looks like Yellawomen, Beaconsfield and Penn will be in the mix for honours in 2025.
Many congratulations to both sides, plus Stu Connor’s JPL U18’s, for leading the march and wearing the club crest with pride exiting 2024. The challenge is to stay off the mince pies and mulled wine over the festive break and pick it up in 2025.
Well, at least have one or two…call it carb loading and hydration…