Ascot United Veterans v Farnham Park Mavericks Veterans

07/05/2021

Details

DateTimeLeagueSeason
07/05/202119:45West London Veterans Football League2020-2021

Ground

The Racecourse Ground
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom

Report

Getting into the swing of it

A warmer evening and an enjoyable game of football. A 3-3 draw probably a fair result although the win was there for the taking.

Another slightly sluggish start by Ascot and after 10 minutes Farnham Park had taken the lead. Ascot began to get into the game and it looked like it was going to be a well contested match. Some good interplay by Ascot and Ben Spence laid a ball into the on rushing Nige who ‘slotted’ it into the corner doing the keeper with the eyes (ish). A few minutes later and Nige had another opportunity and just fired over the top from about 22 yards.

Ascot had more of the possession at this stage but did not manage to create some clear-cut chances. Good passing and movement though. Farnham Park were reduced to breaks and they got in down the right just before half time and the low shot hit the inside of the near post but thankfully stayed out. Ascot responded immediately and following a good play by Stu he laid it square into Simmo’s path and his well struck curling shot just drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.

HT 1-1

Farnham Park started the second half a little stronger and had more of the ball, pressing Ascot back into their own half. The striker got past Jad (for the only time in the whole game) and cut the ball back from the byline, a snapshot was tipped round the near post. Good save by Kev. The corner was swung in and Ed cleared.

Ascot were breaking well and still looking a threat. Smart passing with John and Simmo gave Jez a bit of space to put Hambo in the clear. Keeper blocked the first shot but Hambo was sharp enough to follow up and give Ascot the lead 10 minutes into the second half. Farnham Park’s high line suited Ascot and they got in again with Hambo and Jez creating plenty of space, combining again and Jez took one touch round the centre half and his shot was well saved by the keeper.

The keeper had a wonderful Ederson-esk left foot and Farnham Park started to use that to get high up the pitch. Ascot got a little sucked back and were slow to push up and consequently brought a little more pressure onto themselves. On 65 minutes Farnham Park equalised when a cross from the left side was glanced into the far corner. Ascot were still a threat on the break and Hambo fired in a great left foot strike which Ederson tipped over the bar. Farnham Park won a free kick on the edge of the box which was side footed into the corner to give Farnham a 3-2 lead after 75 minutes.

Again, Ascot responded well and pushed Farnham back and dominated the last period of the game. Martin broke wide down the left and played in John Gavin whose shot was blocked, Nige brought out another save from Ederson with a shot from the edge of the box. Nige and Simmo created a bit of space and Simmo played a great ball behind the full back into Martins path and he sprinted clear of the defence and finishing like Henry (French lad not king) only for the lino to put his flag up. A truly awful decision which robbed Martin of his first goal as player/manager.

Thankfully the deserved equaliser came in the last few minutes. Ascot were in again and as the keeper delayed, Simmo was able to get to the by-line, look up and square for John Gavin to smash it in from close range. Two in two for John, total about 3 yards but as he said “you have to run a long way to get that close”.

A free-kick 22 yards out in the last minute gave Ascot a chance for the win. A well struck shot from Simmo was again well saved by Ederson.

A good game, played in an excellent spirit. Well done to all

Team : Patterson, Sidhu, du Bois, Dunkley, Gatehouse, Kay, Tredwell, Flurry(c), Hussain, Spence, Gavin, Heard, Simpson ,Myhan, Hamblin

Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans3

Farnham Park Mavericks Veterans3

Ground

The Racecourse Ground
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom
Referee to be confirmed