Couzens’ solitary strike is enough to stay top
Substitute Claire Couzens scored the only goal as Ascot United Women finally broke down the dogged resistance of Badshot Lea Women on Sunday afternoon, maintaining their position at the top of the Southern Region Women’s football league. After a goalless first half, Couzens anticipated Maddie Robertson’s cross at the far post to win what was a mediocre affair.
Blustery wind aids Badshot’s battle
The first half was a poor spectacle, with most attacks that Ascot attempted going forwards scuppered by the strong wind at their backs.
Badshot Lea, however, were exceptional in snuffing out anything else; locking on and breaking down The Yellawomen to good effect. And, they would have one of the best and only chances of the half when Jody Gray-Piazza’s sprawling save palmed Dorothy Usher’s volley away after just six minutes.
Ascot huffed and puffed, although when Leah Littlechild split the defence open with a raking pass just before the half-hour mark, Chloe Ball dragged her resultant shot wide.
And even when they did get a clear shot on goal, Ascot were thwarted by visiting ‘keeper Ellie James, who got down well to tip Phil Holden’s shot away just before the break.
Yellawomen eventually find their way through
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as the visitors continued to frustrate their hosts, and it was Couzens who struck what proved to be the winner two minutes after the restart. Maddie Robertson did well to control a high ball before hooking it back across the six yard box, and Couzens’ effort had just enough power to beat James, who got a hand to the strike.
James showed good hands all afternoon and even when Jess Drage’s low shot took a deflection after Maddie Robertson had teed her up from a free kick, James was equal to it.
Littlechild side-footed wide of the left-hand post five minutes from the end as Ascot sought a killer second, but Badshot Lea wasted a chance to test Gray-Piazza with a late free-kick that they overplayed instead of lofting the ball directly into the proverbial mixer.
That was the end of the action, and manager Nath Baker’s one-word synopsis of what he saw failed to meet the requisite publishing standards – although if you are going to win – at least win ugly.
That’s what champions do.
But next week they will need to up their game as Oxford City – who are level on points with Ascot and also unbeaten – swoop in for what could be a pivotal encounter in the early race for the title.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellawomen’s seemingly endless stream of home games continues with the visit of City, before Woodley (Adobe FA Cup) and Tilehurst Panthers (county cup) visit on the successive Sundays.
Ascot United: Gray-Piazza, Knight, Todd, Drage, Luckhurst-McCord, Maddie Robertson, Holden, Littlechild, Lloyd, Ball, Glover. Subs (rolling): Torry, Leah Robertson, Jones, Moss, Couzens
Entertainment: 1½
Attendance (estimate): 55
Reporter’s Star Player: Alix Todd (Ascot United)
Goals:
Claire Couzens 47’