Ascot United Men v Fareham Town

Report

ASCOT HIT FIVE AGAINST FAREHAM

 

Yellamen move out of drop zone with 5-0 win

 

Lui Edwards scored a brace as Ascot United cruised to a 5-0 victory against already-relegated Fareham Town on Saturday. After and end-to-end first half where the home side led 2-0 following a crucial late goal, it was plain-sailing afterwards with three well-taken strikes adding to their tally, galvanising their survival hopes as a results around them went their way.

 

Yellamen begin the big run-in

Home manager Gavin Smith’s pre-match programme notes had referenced his side taking their survival destiny into their own hands, and with five matches remaining they had by far the easiest run-in on paper.

 

However, Fareham, cut adrift at the bottom and destined for an immediate return to step-five football, had won the reverse fixture in Hampshire, and as is often the case sides in their position begin to play with the proverbial handbrake released.

 

But the home side needed to keep their own foot on the accelerator after a mini-revival of late, and standing in their way were the 22^nd-placed team; they were one of five remaining opponents who collectively have an average league placing of 18.  This was surely a chance not to be conceded.

 

In came Kai Allsopp and Tyrese Osbourne for Jaheim Kamara and Jeremy Stewart – two changes to the starting line up from one week earlier – eyes down for action as the final month of action began.

 

Yellamen capitalise on wind to open up half time advantage

The home side hoped to make the most of the wind behind them in the first half, and although they would give themselves daylight at the interval, it was far from plain sailing.

 

The Creeksiders were good value and probably should have drawn more than a blank against their name at the end of a half that Ascot started and ended well, with the visitors providing plenty of meat in the middle.

 

Dec McCarthy in the Fareham goal saved well with his legs from Kai Hobbs’ 18^th minute flick, Lui Edwards swivelled and missed a follow up chance, and defender Adam Queally lasted just 22 minutes after colliding with the permitter fencing in an eventful opening.

 

But the home side took the lead with a goal all down to David Oupoh. The lively winger picked the ball up just inside the visitors half before embarking on a mesmerising, slaloming run past four defenders and drawing a decent save from McCarthy, only for Osbourne to slam home the rebound.

 

But the Hampshire side threatened on several occasion, and after Jamie Arnold had dragged a long-range effort wide-left, Matty Pates went even closer with a shot across Kie Plumley that struck the inside of the left-hand post before being scrambled clear for a corner.

 

Plumley would palm another Pates effort away and Charlie Cooper saw his shot spilt and then gathered by Plumley, but they would survive a mini-onslaught.

 

In between all of that, Luis Le Paih’s long-range effort smashed the top of the crossbar for Ascot, but they would strike again with the final moment of the half when Edwards raced onto Henry Curtis’s booming clearance and nipped in between defender Lewis Colvin and McCarthy to poke home from the edge of the box.

 

It was a crucial goal at a crucial time; 2-0 as the sides changed ends.

 

Yellamen dominate comfortable second half

After the break, Fareham left-back Olly Kershaw was probably glad to see the back of Oupoh when he was replaced in the 54^th minute, although sadly for him he had a new tormentor in the shape of Kamara.

 

Just seven minutes after coming on, Kamara had too much in the locker for Kershaw who tugged his shirt in the box – penalty the result – and Edwards stepped up with a rising spot kick that found the net despite the best efforts of McCarthy and his fingertips.

 

Edwards’s brace – coupled with dropping deep to mop-up in an intelligent display – put him in contention for the supporters’ man-of-the-match award, but that accolade ultimately fell to Osbourne who would play a sumptuous, first-time curling pass through for substitute Quaye Vine in the 84^th minute. Vine had work to do right-of-goal, but whipped a shot up and over McCarthy into the left-hand corner to make it four.

 

Easter is all about the cloth

Two weeks earlier, Oupoh’s shirt had been ripped down to his midriff at Hayes, but as time ticked away at Ascot, Vine’s number seventeen shirt also became destined for the scrapheap following a frankly ridiculous tear down to his shorts.

 

It seemed at this point the only way to stop Ascot was via shirt-pulling, but nothing would deny substitute Jaye Long – back at the club where he was coached as a youngster – from bagging a fifth in the second minute of injury time. Vine was this time the creator     – presentable with his assist if not with his attire – allowing Long the opportunity to confidently side-foot into the bottom right from a central position just inside the box to make it 5-0.

 

Credit to the Creeksiders’ fans

In truth, the goal just before half time had knocked the stuffing out of Fareham, but their fans were not to be silenced. With half-a-dozen flags and double that in support, they continued to make themselves heard. They appreciated Kershaw coming over to them after the game had ended, and if the league table was based on fans’ loyalty it would surely be flipped on its head.

 

Fareham will rise again. Ascot are rising fast too. It’s now three wins from five and results elsewhere went in their favour as The Yellamen head into Easter Sunday both two points and places above the precipice.

 

They’ll fly – and go fishing – again at Hartley on Monday.

 

Ascot United: Plumley, Queally (Gayle 22’), Hobbs, J. Edwards (Long 64’), Curtis, Allsopp (Stewart 72’), Le Paih (Vine 78’), L. Edwards, Tanner, Osbourne, Oupoh (Kamara 54’).

 

Venue: The Racecourse, Ascot

Attendance: 178

Weather: 13c, partly sunny

Ascot United MOM: Tyrese Osbourne

Entertainment: 3

Away fans estimate: 20

One-word summary: Clinical