Ascot United Veterans v Nottsborough

14/05/2021

Details

DateTimeLeagueSeason
14/05/202119:45West London Veterans Football League2020-2021

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom

Report

Are we premier league?

 

The game started with a minute’s silence for time to reflect on the tragic death of 9 year old Jordan Banks whilst at football training. So very sad.

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This was a really good performance and a step up from the Goring game in both ball speed and movement. Ascot worked very hard to dominate the opening exchanges. Nottsborough did not retain possession in the Ascot half until the 14th minute and by that time they were already 1-0 down following a set by Garyth and a superb chip over the keeper by Ben Standing on 3 minutes. Tim had also rattled the cross bar with an excellent free kick from about 22 yards. A couple of sloppy Ascot moments in their own half gave Nottsborough some decent possession but they would be the last of the poor moments as Ascot concentration levels remained high throughout the game.

Sam got in down the left and was always a threat with Garyth and a move involving the two two Bens led to a chance for Tim who just dragged his shot wide. On 20 minutes Ben danced past 3 Nottsborough defenders to find space in the box and calmly slotted into the corner for his second of the game. Nottsborough number 9 looked to be a threat and he cut in between two defenders and hit a powerful drive which was superbly blocked by JK. Wonderful defending by JK in that moment and also in the whole game. He showed great concentration for the whole game, snuffing out anything Nottsborough could throw at him.

Ben got his hattrick on 30 minutes with another cool finish. Nottsborough had a few good moments but Ascot defended well. A Notts attack was well defended and Ascot quickly won the ball back. Ben Spence saw Sam breaking out wide on the right. Sam turned his defender and saw the keeper had been holding a high line and beautifully drilled the ball wide of him from 40 yards for 4-0. Ascot conceded to a breakaway goal with a good run from deep and a calm finish at the near post. Unfortunately, Gleavy pulled up with a hamstring whilst attempting a 40 yard recovery run. H-T 4-1. Dominant performance.

Clearly there is always the possibility of a team slacking off with such a commanding lead but that was not the choice made tonight. Second half performance was equally dominant and Nottsborough worked so hard to try and contain the quality Ascot were bringing to the game. A few strong breaks and an excellent performance by their young lad playing wide left who looked strangely familiar.

Ascot’s movement and ball speed was excellent and many chances were created. On 50 mins Garyth and Sam combined with a lovely 1-2 and the ball was cut back to Tim. An exquisite first touch created half a yard and his shot again smashed off the cross bar. Ben raced through on 52 minutes but the keeper made a good save. A simple 5 yards square ball to a team mate with a tap in could’ve been a better choice but I guess when you already have 3 ………

On 53 minutes, Ascot won a free kick on the edge of the box. Up stepped Rob and you could not get more top bin than this. A wonderful strike for 5-1. Another great move down the right with Simmo and Ben combining and a deep cross found Toby rushing onto it and he smashed a brilliant half volley which the keeper tipped over the bar – a great strike and a wonderful save. Toby got in down the left again and again struck a fierce shot which the keeper blocked – what a half their keeper was having and continued to have.

Gaps started to appear as Rob was arrowing passes out wide and runners were piling into the gaps. On 62 minutes Ben Standing was one of these runners and again he finished calmly into the corner of the net for his fourth and Ascot’s 6th. A deserved rest was to follow for Ben.

The occasional Nottsbourgh breaks were snuffed out and Nige was not going to let anyone get the better of him in this game.

The goal of the game was the last one and a really beautiful piece a play to watch. The ball started in the Ascot half and Rob involved himself in a series of 3 or 4 one two’s before squaring to Ben Spence for a tap in from 5 yards. Excellent movement and precise passing all round.

There were more chances and more action but the score line remained the same. A very good evening for Ascot and a good game played in good spirits and the teams sharing a few earned beers together in the Sports Bar afterwards (the outside part).

Nice to see Jamie Burgess return to the club and make his Ascot United Vets debut this evening.

Team : Harrison, Du Bois, Keough, Gatehouse, Spence, Gleave, Standing T (c), Underwood, Brant, Standing B, McIntyre, Burgess, Hynes, Saunders, Simpson

Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans7

Nottsborough Veterans1

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom
Referee to be confirmed