Taylor hits two whilst Laflin maintains hot streak
Ascot United eased into the second round of the County Cup with a 3-1 victory over local rivals Windsor FC on Tuesday evening. Taylor Morgan’s fine brace either side of a stunning goal from Windsor’s Charlie Jaggers set them on their way, before Harry Laflin’s 11th goal in as many games wrapped up the tie.
Morgan opened the scoring with an accurate, curling low finish across visiting ‘keeper Sam Butcher in the sixteenth minute after Josh Masters had picked him out, although visiting defender Jaggers scored an absolute peach from distance to level it six minutes later with a curling left-footed effort that arced into the top left past the helpless Sam Gray.
Gray almost turned provider with a long clearance that Laflin flicked on for lively new signing Lenny Farhall to run onto, but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
The hosts’ Sean McCormack and Farhall both tested Butcher again before Danny Horscroft failed at the other end when he could only help the loose ball over the bar from Gray’s save, and as the half drew to a close Chris Ellis’s glancing header from Calum Ferguson’s free kick had the accuracy but not the pace to beat Butcher, whose diving save ensured parity at the break.
Ascot came out hungry in the second half and were quickly on the front foot, and they almost regained the lead when Laflin twisted and turned his way into space in the box, although Ben Hall had stuck to him like glue and got enough on an interception to deflect Laflin’s shot over the bar; fantastic defending from the Royalist.
But Farhall – a menace on the left wing – pounced on poor defending in the 67th minute as he raced clear and squared for Morgan, who still had work to do, but cut back onto his right and pinged an exquisite effort into the top right hand corner (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk).
Ascot then made two substitutions within a six minute spell and somewhat inevitably Nortey would join Nice – in the shape of Denis and Josh – to the delight of the scripters.
But the last laugh went to Laflin who stroked home a 78th minute spot-kick after the tireless Farhall could only be stopped illegally in the box following another mesmerising turn of speed, although Windsor substitute Eric Sowolona did strike the woodwork with an overhead kick at the end of a seemingly endless amount of added time.
Ascot are into the last sixteen where Reading, Maidenhead, Slough and MK Dons all make their entrance.
Ascot United: Gray, Lock, Masters, Ferguson (Nice), Bailey, Ellis, McCormack (August), Evans, Morgan (Nortey), Laflin, Farhall. Subs unused: Graham, Surpanu
