Yellamen beaten 2-1 by Hanworth Villa
Ascot United’s quest for step three football ended with a disappointing 2-1 reverse at Hanworth Villa on Wednesday evening. On a dustbowl of a pitch, the Yellamen were chasing the game after conceding inside the opening two minutes, and despite a late rally having gone 2-0 down, their late consolation wasn’t enough.
Two ‘cup finals’ ahead for one of the two sides
The play-off semi-final pitched 3rd-placed Villa against 4th-placed Ascot for a place in Sunday’s final, and they both came into the game with similar form. In the regular season’s encounters, The Yellamen had failed to score against their hosts in 180 minutes of football – losing one and drawing one – but in the play-offs anything can happen and at a warm Rectory Meadow they locked horns again in a high-stakes encounter.
Villa strike early in awful first half
The 150-or-so away fans within a crowd of over 700 roared their side onto the pitch, but with 105 seconds on the clock they saw their side go a goal down when they failed to deal with Sam Merson’s long throw-in threat; Guy Ansah-Palmer smashing a low, hard shot past Mark Scott.
Sam Mead’s glancing header from George Wells’s delivery sailed over and Lucas Defise blasted over after Ibrahim Jalla had teed him up, but despite enjoying all of the chances, Villa could not add to their tally in the first half.
But that was only due to Scott’s heroics three minutes before the break when he raced off his line to brilliantly beat Jalla’s effort away after he had nipped onto Merson’s cushioned header into the box.
Second half marginally better but Yellas come up short
Ascot’s hopes were further dented in the 57th minute when they conceded a penalty – up stepped Merson – and he buried it into the bottom left despite Scott guessing correctly.
Ascot rallied and finally registered a shot on target in the 66th minute when Taylor Morgan’s first-time effort from a tight angle was beaten away by home ‘keeper Mark Smith; Joe Gater crossing from the right wing for the assist.
At the other end, Jalla then skied an effort over that would have put the game to bed, but Ascot should have set up a grandstand finale when substitute Harvey Harry failed to convert an unmarked header at the far post from fellow substitute Khalid Simmo’s inviting cross.
Josh Edwards headed Harry Grant’s cross over with three minutes remaining as Ascot thew caution to the wind, but they got a consolation when Simmo nodded home in the final minute of added time, but sadly it was all too late.
Villa advance to Sunday’s final, and especially given their club’s recent gesture to Ascot United, we wish them well.
What’s next for Ascot?
A long rest, before having another crack next season!
It’s been a blast, over and out…
Ascot United: Scott, Lock (Payne-James 46’), Jones (Simmo 66’), Rogers (Harry 66’), Fraser, Edwards, Grant, Morgan, Holland, Igozouln (Goulter 77’), Gater. Sub unused: Butler
Entertainment: 1
Away fans estimate: 150
Picture: ngsportsphotography.com