Yellawomen in seventh heaven after winning promotion
Ascot United Women turned on the style as they beat Selsey Women 7-0 to secure a maiden Southern Region Women’s Football League title. After a nervy start, the home side eventually found their rhythm as Beth Lloyd bagged a hat-trick in a title-winning performance that helped propel her side to tier four of the football pyramid.
Scene set for potentially historic day
Having been awarded three points three days earlier for Winchester City’s match forfeit several weeks earlier, Ascot knew that a win on Sunday in front of their own fans would guarantee them the title.
And, with visitors Selsey bottom of the table and winless in the league all season, the odds were very much in the home side’s favour.
Liv Glover returned from injury up-top, Ella Rowntree also made a start at left-back with Sophie Allen in goal, and there was a senior squad debut for Poppy Williams.
2pm came, and an expectant crowd buckled in for the ride.
Selsey ask questions but Yellawomen are clinical
In a nervy opening for Ascot, Allen was called into action after just two minutes by parrying away Lucienne Selvester’s early effort.
The home side were forced to reshuffled just a minute later when Jess Drage suffered a serious-looking knee injury, although Keziah Banduka came off the bench to replace her and would be a stand-out performer on the big stage.
When Ascot finally got going they forged ahead with their first meaningful attempt. Bella Cox dug out a cross from the left, Lloyd did well to keep the ball in play at the far post, and she slid the ball across for Leah Littlechild to side-foot across Millie Delamont and into the bottom left hand corner.
But Selsey showed quality belying their league position and Allen would get down well to save Isabelle Childs’ shot to the near post soon afterwards.
Cox then hobbled off injured with Leah Robertson becoming Ascot’s second substitution inside 23 minutes, and her time would come later in the half.
Before that, Allen showed good hands again to claim Selvester’s long-range free-kick at the second attempt, and then The Yellawomen struck a crucial second. Glover sent Littlechild galloping clear down the left, she slid an inch-perfect ball across the penalty area, and Robertson was on hand to side-foot into the bottom right-hand corner; 37 minutes played.
And, shortly after Phil Holden had fired over in first-half stoppage time, the home side scored what would surely be a killer third goal. This time, Erin Huntley picked the ball up in the middle, drove forwards, and cracked an unstoppable effort from 25 years that sailed over Delamont and into the top left hand corner.
Champagne second half sees Yellas run away with it
After the break, the home side relaxed into their usual, free-flowing football and signalled their intent early-on when Kate Fox’s header cannoned back off the crossbar.
But when Lloyd nonchalantly toe-poked home number four from the edge of the box in the 51st minute, the corks were ready to be popped.
Glover showed great feet to tee herself up for a shot that sailed narrowly over after latching onto Alix Todd’s 66th minute pass, but Lloyd converted number five – taking her tally to an Ascot step-five record 21 goals in a season – when she buried Sophie Doyle’s cross in the 73rd minute; Doyle having only been introduced seconds earlier.
Glover then scored a beauty in the 90th minute, slaloming through a succession of tackles and keeping her feet to fire into the roof of the net, but just as the home fans had started the celebrations behind the goal, Lloyd would keep her composure to slot home in added time to complete her hat-trick – number 22 for the campaign – and make it 7-0.
“It’s what they’ve waited for”
Having finished runners-up in each of the last two seasons, this was the title that the home faithful have waited patiently for.
Jubilant manager Andy Cox stepped in to take control earlier in the season and will now add a Step 5 championship to his CV. Initially choked, but then later speaking after the game, Cox said “bring it on, onwards and upwards. We’ve got the momentum with us now”.
And, on the terraces there were faces beaming with pride – but none moreso than former manager Darrel Evans. Associated with the team for so long, he led The Yellawomen from Step 7 to Step 5, and could barely contain his emotions.
Whilst Step 4 football now awaits them, in this tranquil corner of Berkshire on Sunday 6th April 2025, The Yellawomen are basking in glory.
What a day, what a team, and what a season.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellawomen are on the road at Woodley United next Sunday. Its business as usual!
Ascot United: Allen, Rowntree, Todd, Huntley, Drage, Holden, Cox, Fox, Littlechild, Lloyd, Littlechild, Glover. Subs (all used): Robertson, Banduka, Doyle, Williams
Entertainment: 5
Reporter’s Star Player: Keziah Banduka (Ascot United)
Attendance (estimate): 110