Horndean score four to put brakes on Yellas march
Zac Willett scored a hat-trick as Horndean edged out Ascot United 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. The visitors were two-nil up before Ascot had even got out of their own half, before eventually running out winners after Ascot had twice levelled the match.
In-form Yellamen look for another double
The Yellamen won October’s reverse fixture 3-2, and having seen off Harrow Borough a week earlier to record an impressive double over the Middlesex outfit, this was very much a chance to repeat the trick.
Sean Fraser was named in the starting eleven in the only change to last week’s teamsheet – Joe Gater unavailable – and it was an otherwise familiar-looking squad.
The Deans, seemingly destined for a mid-table finish barring an extreme set of results in the run-in, arrived with two wins in six, although both had come against the league’s bottom two sides.
Ridiculous first half sees visitors two-up inside three
In a crazy opening, Willett put the visitors ahead after just 42 seconds with a fine left-footed effort from long range that sailed into the top right hand corner.
And, he doubled the lead with less than three minutes played with a sublime hooked effort from outside the area that sailed into the opposite corner.
Ascot got a foothold, although were still indebted to ‘keeper Mark Scott who raced from his line to smother at Willett’s feet after he had ghosted in from a tight angle following Rudi Blankson’s earlier pass.
Visitors hand Ascot a lifeline who then roar back
But, The Deans gifted Ascot a way back into the game when ‘keeper Hugh Scott spilt Connor Holland’s fierce shot – it cannoned back off the crossbar – and Kickie Dzimba tapped in from a matter of inches.
Ascot’s Scott then made a double save to deny Blankson in an end-to-end affair, before Harvey Harry tricked his way through the visitors’ defence in the 34th minute, drew a foul in the penalty area from Liam Callaghan, and Anas Igozouln hammered the resultant spot-kick in off the left-hand post.
Dzimba almost capped a fine move only to fire wide after Khalid Simmo and Holland had linked up in the move of the half – the latter threading Dzimba in – and Dzimba would later see defender Cade Dyer clear his shot off the line after eventually getting his shot away from left of goal.
It remained two-all at half time; enough time for the fans to catch their breath.
Second half more subdued as Ascot undone
With the momentum on their side as they exited the first half, it was something of a surprise that the home side could not pick up where they left off after the break.
Fully 21 minutes elapsed before the first meaningful attempt – and unsurprisingly it came from Willett – who curled home another stunning effort when Horndean had recycled possession following a corner.
But the visitors’ lead lasted just three minutes when defender Robert Taw sliced Igozouln’s low cross into his own net to level matters once again.
However, in a mad spell, just four further minutes elapsed before substitute Ryan Keates dinked a free kick over a static home defence and defender Jay Williams had all the time in the world to make it 4-3 with a shot that found its way in via the crossbar.
Horatio Fowler and Khalid Simmo both dragged late efforts wide for their respective sides, but there would be no further goals and the points ended up in Hampshire.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen are on the road to the outskirts of Portsmouth next week when they visit in-form Moneyfields.
Ascot United: Scott, Rogers, Jones (Payne-James 73’), Fraser (Lock 87’), Edwards, Simmo, Igozouln, Grant (Goulter 58’), Harry (Butler 87’), Holland, Dzimba. Subs unused: Mason
Entertainment: 4
Reporter’s Star Man: Zac Willett (Horndean)
Away fans (estimate): 15