Virginia Water fight back to win thriller
Ascot United suffered a 93rd-minute exit against Virginia Water in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday. Having led at the interval, The Yellamen succumbed to two second half goals in a game where both sides also struck the woodwork twice, before a late melee spoilt an enthralling cup tie.
Payne-James handed first start against in-form Waters
Aiden Payne-James made his first start for Ascot United in Anas Igozouln’s absence, the starting line-up otherwise unchanged from the eleven which lost to Kingstonian during prior midweek. Standing in their way of a place in the next round was in-form Combined Counties Premier Division North side Virginia Water, who had won all four of their opening games leading into the encounter.
Great first half for Yellamen but Waters have chances
As halves went, this was the best 45 minute shift the Yellamen have recorded this season, starting and finishing it strongly, and with Payne-James a constant threat.
Ascot bossed possession in the opening fifteen minutes with Taylor Morgan and Payne-James both earning their corn, but were reminded of the hosts’ threat when Mark Scott was swiftly off his line in the 17th minute to smother Callum Hamilton’s effort after he had been played-in by Adrin Tajik.
At the other end, Payne-James picked out Joe Gater’s booming long-pass but could only lob over the advancing Matt Jones’s crossbar, before Connor Holland dragged a decent chance wide after George Lock and Payne-James had linked up in the build-up.
But Scott’s fine save would dent Waters’ Billy Blake, who then dragged the rebound wide, before Josh Edwards’ exceptional marking job on Turnell Sinclair peaked with an excellent 40th minute intervention just when it looked as if Waters’ top-scorer would steal a march for a sight of goal.
Payne-James gets his reward
But The Yellamen closed the half strongly, although it took a terrible mis-placed pass across his own penalty area from home defender Albie French to tee up Ascot’s opener; Payne-James onto the loose ball like a hawk before rasping a rising drive in at the near post via a slight deflection.
It might have been even better for the Yellamen only for Gater’s free header in added time from Sean McCormack’s corner to clatter back off the crossbar, but it was still a decent scoreline for the visitors as they changed ends.
Waters fight back before ridiculous conclusion
The second half saw the introduction of former Yellamen Chris Ellis in home colours, and in true style he would go on to take a remarkable fourteen throw-ins in an attacking position.
The visitors dealt with almost all of them, but they could not deal with Sinclair who ghosted in at the far post to convert a right-wing cross in the 61st minute to make in one-all.
That goal came just after Morgan had stung Jones’s palms from Holland’s intelligent through ball at the other end, but it was otherwise tough going for their side.
Payne-James did turn provider for Liam Tack to crash a thunderous effort off the angle and post and bar midway through the half, but that was as good as it got.
Sinclair’s audacious long-range attempt with the outside of his right foot cannoned back off Scott’s crossbar in the 73rd minute and the same player saw an effort squirm across a crowded goalmouth and bounce off the right-hand post following number nine of Ellis’s exocets.
Lock’s looping header from substitute Harry Tucker’s cross sailed wide as time ticked away but it was the home side who would find the crucial next goal. And, having watched substitute Saaim Rafi serve warning by ghosting in at the far post and skying over in the 87th minute, it was defender and captain Jack Mills who smashed a low shot under Scott in the third added minute; Scott will know he should have done better.
But five red cards in a frankly unacceptable late fracas marred the contest, which ended after eleven added minutes – six of them taken by the officials to both dish out the red cards and calm tempers, which seemed as if they would never abate.
What’s next for Ascot?
Probably a chill pill or two-dozen first. And then The Yellamen remain on the road for their bank holiday weekend dates at Ashford Town (Middx) in the Isuzu FA Trophy and then Binfield in the Isthmian League on Saturday and Monday respectively.
Ascot United: Scott, Lock, Tack (Tucker 85’), Gater, Edwards, McCormack (Bailey 85’), H. Grant, Morgan, Fraser, Payne-James (Harris 70’), Holland (Lalustani 70’). Subs unused: Swyer, Mason, A. Grant
Entertainment: 4
Reporter’s Star Man: Turnell Sinclair (Virginia Water)
Away fans (estimate): 40