From ‘Tower to Town, Ascot Won’t Back Down…
Ascot United’s men and women’s teams face tough away days this weekend as Emirates FA Cup Action dominates Saturday.
First-up, Gavin Smith’s Yellamen make the trek against London to face Step-five outfit Soul Tower hamlets in the 1st qualifying round; Hamlets having impressively disposed of Hanworth Villa in the last round having already beaten Kennington in the extra preliminary round.
And, then, Andy Cox’s Yellawomen head West to Swindon Town’s 15,700-capacity County Ground – home of the Wiltshire side’s Ladies, as their National League South-West campaign continues.
Who are Soul Tower Hamlets?
Saturday’s opponents are back at Step five having finished 2nd in the Southern Counties East Division last season to take their place in the Essex Senior League via the play-offs. Previously known as Tower Hamlets and Bethnal Green United prior to that, they played in the Essex Senior League and Southern Counties East Division before relegation to Step six at the end of the 21/22 season. Three season later, they are back.
And, they’ve won two and drawn two of their opening four league games to leave them one place outside the play-offs, whereas three cup wins (two FA Cup and one FA Vase) mean they are unbeaten in all seven game played this season. Shermandin Artmeladze has already scored eight goals in six games for them, and will be one to keep under close guard.
If the two sides draw on Saturday then it will be all back to The Racecourse next midweek, and the draw for the 2nd qualifying round is on Monday.
Travelling fans should head for the Mile End Stadium, 190 Burdett Rd, London, E3 4HL – and note the stadium is an athletics track venue.
Yellawomen go bob-bob-bobbin’ down M4
Sunday’s encounter sees the table topping Red-Red Robins hosts Ascot’s Women in what is sure to be their sternest test yet. The hosts, whose home gates regularly exceed 400, have won their two opening league games 4-1 and 6-1 which, together with a 4-3 league cup win, means they have netted 14 with Annabelle Colston netting five of them.
Cox is also mindful of the task, having commented earlier in the week that his side are punching above their weight in the division but he is “extremely proud of what we have put together” and it is “something special”. The boss was also quick to recognise the supporters, several of whom were certainly in a boisterous and vocal mood all around the ground last weekend, stating “the support from everyone has been amazing.”
Supporters heading for this one should set their SatNavs for the County Ground, County Rd, Swindon SN1 2ED.
Can’t make it to one of the games?
You know the drill by now – but we make it too easy for you to miss!!
Anything else to report?
Well, here are four Isthmian League Couth Central Division matches this weekend involving clubs already knocked out of the FA Cup. They are:
Binfield v Moneyfields
Bognor Regis v Leatherhead
Met Police v Horndean
Kingstonian v Hanworth Villa (Sunday)