Louis late show rescues point for hosts
Ascot United fought back to salvage a point against Southall on Saturday. After gifting the visitors the lead just before half time, Louis Rogers popped up at the start of seven added minutes to deservedly level matters (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk).
Yellamen look to steal a march on rivals
With first playing fourth and other teams in and around the play-off mix facing tricky games, this was a chance for the home side to bolster their cushion in the play-off zone above seven points; although teams below them all have game sin hand.
Southall won the reverse fixture in controversial circumstances when striker Ben Harris’s late header was harshly chalked off for offside, and they arrived with another well-known striker – former Yellaman Brendan Matthew – in their side.
The Yellamen welcomed Chad Goulter back into their starting line-up, and he joined Harris, Ollie Mason and Khalid Simmo in four changes to that which started last weekend’s defeat at Leatherhead; Brandon Curtis and Harvey Harry on the bench with Nathan Jones and Kickie Dzimba missing out.
Stale first half ends with a twist
In a first half devoid of chances, Ascot’s one and only real chance came in the 18th minute when Harris’s towering header teed up Connor Holland on the run, and he stung Michael Edegbe’s palms with a cross shot that was ultimately cleared off the boot off the prowling Anas Igozouln.
At the other end, Ryan Hope’s free kick from a central position picked out Makael Scott unmarked at the far post, but he could only volley over first-time from close range when he should have done better.
But having largely controlled the game, Ascot gifted their opponents the lead just before half-time when ‘keeper Mark Scott spilt a shot he should have held, and Kyron Richards pounded to thump the ball home and send Southall in a goal up at the break.
Changes rung after break and pressure eventually pays
Ascot made all five changes in another tight half – once again short on clear chances – the first of which came when Sean Fraser’s attempted to head into an open right-hand corner of the goal only to find a gleeful Edegbe’s arms on the opposite side.
Southall substitute Jordi Ebanda saw two half chances go high, and then wide, in quick succession, but that was it until the dying stages.
Firstly, Harry Grant planted a deep corner onto the angle of post and crossbar in the 89th minute, before substitute Brandon Curtis’s delicious cross to the far left hand post one minute later picked out Louis Rogers, who saw his low first-time shot squirm under Edegbe to clinch a deserved point.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen are airborne next week as their league programme continues at Guernsey.
Ascot United: Scott, Goulter, Rogers, Fraser (Lock 77’), Edwards, Grant, Simmo (Butler 77’), Harris (Harry 66’), Igozouln (Payne-James 66’), Holland, Mason (Curtis 66’).
Entertainment: 2
Reporter’s Star Man: Josh Edwards (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 20