Second-half brace earns 2-0 win for Kingstonian
Ascot United were beaten 2-0 by visitors Kingstonian in Tuesday night’s opening home league game of the season. After a tight first half, The K’s scored a brace midway through the second half to run out comfortable winners and avoid reaching an unwanted milestone in the process.
Morgan and Harris rotated for non-league heavyweight visit
Strikers Taylor Morgan and Ben Harris rotated in the only change to the team that drew at South Park three days earlier; Morgan this time in the starting eleven with Harris on the bench. And, standing in their side’s way in their first home league game of the season stood Kingstonian, a side with non-league pedigree of the highest. Twice FA Trophy winners and seasoned FA Cup campaigners, the K’s had however fallen to step 4 for the first time in 15 years, and hadn’t won an away league game since 10th April 2023 – precisely 491 days – this being their last chance to stop the tally ticking past 500.
Tight first half ends goalless
After an early sighter for The K’s striker Eddie Simon which found the side-netting it was a largely even affair, with the hosts using their press to good effect and overturning possession in the tenth minute, albeit Morgan’s left-footed shot from an improbable angle lacked any pace to trouble visiting ‘keeper Liam Allen.
Taylor’s next attempt had more meaning; a rasping effort that Allen beat away before recovering in the nick of time to block Connor Holland’s follow-up.
All of that came inside the opening ten minutes, and just three later it was the hosts who had a let-off when Bradley Wilson’s inept control when in acres of space from a through-ball allowed the ball to roll harmlessly through to Mark Scott.
A cagey final fifteen minutes of the half saw Kingstonian’s Stan Flaherty twice register shots on target – a curling left footed effort before a direct free kick – but both were straight down Scott’s throat, and goalless it remained.
Second half starts well for Ascot
The half was only 45 seconds old when Anas Igozouln surged through the visiting defence, only for Flaherty to divert his shot over with a stunning last-ditch tackle.
At the other end, Palace Francis couldn’t turn Wilson’s pass home at full stretch before Flaherty’s weak appeals for a penalty were turned away, probably as a result of the equally weak push he received.
But it was Morgan who should have at least tested Allen just after the hour mark; racing onto George Lock’s pass and driving forwards he elected for the near post instead of the far, but he only found the side-netting
K’s find something special
And, that was as good as it got for Ascot, as – in the 66th minute – they were outjumped from a corner and in the ensuing melee it was Joe Pratley-Jones who slammed home to give The K’s the lead.
Seven minutes later, Wilson threaded the ball through, Eddie Simon gleefully smashed home number two and it was effectively game over.
Ascot’s four substitutes all came after the 75 minute mark with very little time to make an impact, and Kingstonian comfortably ran down all of that time plus six of overages to take three points and avoid the unwanted milestone.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen are back in FA Cup journey at Arbour Park next Saturday against Slough Town FC’s tenants Virginia Water, kickstarting a run of three consecutive away matches (notwithstanding any FA Cup replay of this weekend’s fixture is drawn).
Ascot United: Scott, Lock, Tack, Gater, Edwards, McCormack (Mason 86’), H. Grant, Morgan, Fraser (Payne-James 75’), Igozouln (Tucker 83’), Holland (Harris 83’). Sub unused: Bailey
Image is visiting ‘keeper Liam Kelly under pressure in the first half (shooting-stars.co.uk)
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Man: Harry Grant (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 50