Harris strikes again in 1-0 win
Ben Harris scored the only goal as Ascot United beat neighbours Binfield on New Year’s Day. In a victory more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, the home side were on top throughout, and took another three points to move joint-second in the league.
Forest Road derby sees in New Year
The first game of 2025 saw neighbours Ascot and Binfield take to the field in front of over 300 fans despite the weather; the home side unbeaten in almost two months and the visitors arriving off the back of a 4-1 win on the road at Horndean as their resurgence continued.
Ascot’s Connor Holland missed out against his former club after suffering a head injury last time out and Taylor Morgan remained sidelined with an ongoing shoulder issue; Nathan Jones back in the starting eleven after recovering from illness and December player-of-the-month Ben Harris fully justifying his place up top.
The Moles’ attack boasted influential Tyler D’Cruz and in-form Kickie Dzimba; eyes down for action on a day when the weather had put paid to a glut of grass-pitch games elsewhere.
Miserable weather dampens spirits
A drab first half eventually burst into something resembling life with 27 minutes on the clock. Up until that point, it was an uneventful affair devoid of chances, but when Harris fired over from Harvey Harry’s pass, a glut of chances followed.
Binfield went straight up the other end only for D’Cruz to see his shot blocked after Daniel Fosu had cut the ball back to him, before Ascot’s Joe Gater came close to heading his side ahead directly from Harry Grant’s 32nd minute corner, Harvey Harry again involved in winning the set-piece.
Dzimba then wasted a golden chance to put the visitors ahead with a free header from Tone Gabriel’s cross – Dzimba having initially done well to get the ball out to the left wing for a well-worked one-two – but Ascot had the last laugh of the half when Harris side-footed The Yellamen into a half time lead. Aiden Payne-James had initially won a corner with a shot that visiting ‘keeper Coleridge Fubler turned around his near post, but when Grant swung the resultant delivery in, Gater and then Harry teed up Harris to score via the left-hand post; the ball squirming along the line before finding its way in just inside the opposite upright (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk).
Ascot in control after break but unable to find the net again
D’Cruz would waste Binfield’s best chance of the second half with a weak header soon after the restart, before Ascot mounted attack after attack and forced a plethora of corners.
Josh Edwards headed narrowly over from one of them – Grant the provider – before, in the move of the half, Simmo side-footed wide first-time after Harris had earlier headed on for Harry to cross.
Harry was a constant threat and a contender for the man-of-the match award, although that was trumped by Nathan Jones, whose dominant display underpinned his side’s midfield ascendancy.
Grant’s rasping effort late-on was superbly tipped over by Fubler, but the solitary goal proved enough to make it twelve games unbeaten – ten of which won – and three clean sheets on the trot.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen travel to Woking-based Westfield on Saturday as the league programme continues.
Ascot United: Scott, Goulter, Jones, Gater, Fraser, Edwards, Simmo (Igozouln 69’), Grant, Harry (Butler 79’), Harris (Mason 69’), Payne-James (Lahtinen-Kalsi 79’). Sub unused: Lock
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Man: Nathan Jones (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 30