92nd minute winner earns Southall 2-1 win
Ascot United almost escaped with an unlikely point at Southall on Wednesday evening, only to be undone in stoppage time. After Kie Plumley had produced a simply outstanding performance to keep the scores level, he and his side were left heartbroken when Dan Roberts curled home late-on to give Southall all three points.
Personnel-change chatter dominates pre-match build up
Much had been made online and amongst the Ascot supporters of the various ins-and-outs during the course of the day.
Notably, popular goalkeeper Plumley returned to the club after starring last season, and this addition came alongside another welcome returnee in the shape of Tyrese Osbourne, plus newbies Charlie George and Reading FC graduate Larry Omoregie.
Moving in the opposite direction were Sam Swyer, Isaac Brown and Kai Zini, whereas injuries to four or five other members of the Gavin Smith’s ranks would also rule them out, albeit temporarily.
Both sides had taken one win from their opening four league games, albeit Southall were unbeaten in drawing the other three, leaving them two points above The Yellamen at kick-off.
Uxbridge’s Honeycroft Stadium was the new home for the nomadic hosts; could Ascot avoid defeat on the road having lost their two other away-days this season?
KP is outstanding – first half is nuts!
In a frankly ridiculous first half where Southall’s shot count reached double figures and Plumley’s tally of saves was not far behind, Ascot somehow escaped the half all-square.
Plumley’s first save came after just 39 seconds – a fine block – before Ascot went up the other end and Lui Edwards’ shot was also blocked.
That was one of three Ascot chances in the first half; the rest was a total barrage on Plumley’s goal. And, there were only five minutes on the clock before Liam Ferdinand found space on the right and drilled low across Plumley and into the bottom left to make it 1-0.
Roberts fizzed a long range effort just over in the 7th minute as the home side nearly doubled their lead, but when Southall surrendered possession in the 9th minute, Tyrese Osbourne should have done better than mis-time a free header from Cam Rohart-Brown’s cross.
But fifteen minutes in, Osbourne made amends when he spring the offside trap from the impressive Jaye Long’s through ball and smashed the ball through Milan Czerwonka’s legs to make it 1-1.
After that it was one-way traffic. Plumley saved down low to deny Ferdinand in the 17th minute, and less than 60 seconds later used his feet to thwart Kensley Maloney at close range from a corner.
Ferdinand then picked out Dan Hector who struck the inside of a post – not even 20 minutes played – before Ferdinand teed up Makael Scott down the left; Plumley superbly beating his thunderous effort away.
Roberts then released Ferdinand in the 24th minute although he somehow side-footed wide with Plumley committed, before Ascot survived an almighty scare when they hacked the ball off the line a minute later.
Aiden Tarrant somehow headed wide unmarked from a 41st minute corner before – quite incredibly – Plumley’s unbelievable one-handed save followed up by a succession of goal-line blocks denied Southall from taking a half time lead.
The half time whistle did at least give some respite for the overworked Plumley.
Second half sees more of the same
Sadly for Ascot, it was probably even more of a barrage after the break.
Ferdinand had enough chances to score a double hat-trick, and he somehow blazed over in the 51st minute with a clear sight of goal.
Plumley got down well to save again in the 58th minute, before Southall messed up a two-on-on situation in the 64th minute when Ferdinand teed up Hector who smacked the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
A brief moment of respite saw Edwards cross for Rohart-Brown to volley from an audaciously tight angle – Czerwonka keeping the ball out at his near post – before Ben Parkinson totally misjudged his header from the resultant corner when free at the far post; it should have been better than a simple downward header into Czerwonka’s arms.
But the onslaught continued as Mitchal Gough smashed an effort into the side netting after 70 minutes, Ferdinand’s powerful shot was beaten away by Plumley on 76 ‘before seeing another shot deflect wide for corner on 82’.
Roberts’ powerful shot was beaten away by Plumley at the near post on 85’, Ferdinand’s dipping shot grazed the bar on 87’ and Roberts teed up Ferdinand who somehow shot wide of a gaping target in the same minute.
Roberts then dragged a cross-shot wide in the 88th minute and substitute Tyler Hayles’ swerving drive from distance missed the top left by inches in the 90th minute, but just when it looked like they had got out of jail, Ascot were undone in the 92nd minute. This time, Ascot substitute Connor Richardson lost possession and his side were under pressure again, culminating in Roberts curling an unstoppable left footed effort into the top left from a central position.
It was harsh on Plumley, who was imperious.
Ascot United: Plumley, Bullard-Jeffrey (Mboge 77’), Rohart-Brown (Richardson 71’), Parkinson, Sesay (George 59’), Osbourne, Allsopp, Long, Edwards (Uzor 77’), Platel (Omoregie 71’), Pache
Venue: Honeycroft, Uxbridge FC
Attendance: 118
Weather: 16c, partly cloudy
Ascot United MOM: Kie Plumley
Entertainment: 4
Away fans estimate: 8
One-word summary: Onslaught