Yellamen beat Mangotsfield 5-1 in FA Cup
Brendan Matthew was back to his ruthless best as his hat-trick helped Ascot United to a 5-1 against Mangotsfield United in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday. Ascot were never really in top gear against their ragged opponents, but had enough in the locker to book their spot in Monday’s first qualifying round draw.
More Step 5 opposition for Ascot as both teams dream
This was another test for Ascot against lower-level opposition having eventually disposed of Ardley United at the second attempt in the previous round. Mangotsfield, hailing from Bristol and plying their trade in the Hellenic League Premier Division, arrived in similar form to the hosts. However, they boasted the better FA Cup pedigree having reached the 4th and final qualifying round on four occasions- Ascot’s own runs have rarely ever extended into September – making for an interesting match-up.
Ascot go well clear at half-time
The game itself had the feeling of a training game, although it had initially looked like it was going to be littered with chances after Jordan Ajanlekoko had slotted home the opener just 105 seconds into the match; Harry Grant with the pass that Ajanlekoko rifled into the roof of the net.
Luqman Kassim failed to keep a decent headed chance down and visiting ‘keeper Jakob Glover timed his interception at the feet of Sean McCormack to perfection after the excellent Ajanlekoko had threaded him in, but Mangotsfield frustrated their hosts and looked like they might escape the half just one goal down.
But Ascot would find their way through once again in the 40th minute. Initially, Glover had done extremely well to thwart McCormack’s low drive after Harry Grant had teed him up, but in the recycled play McCormack repaid the compliment by swinging the ball in for Grant to plant a sumptuously placed headed into the top right. And, the game was as good as over in injury time when Harvey Killeen expertly played Matthew in, and he sat Glover down by rolling the ball into the bottom right.
Killeen-Matthew combination is key
Quickly out of the blocks once again, Killeen turned provider for Matthew only a minute after the restart – this time creating space before cutting the ball back for the hot-shot to make it 4-0 – this time with his left foot into the bottom right; the partnership becoming increasingly fruitful.
The ‘Field offered little, but had a purple patch when Isaac Flynn’s dangerous header back across the area was scrambled clear and then his side scored what proved to be a consolation when Jaydn Crosbie nearly broke the netting with a rasper into the top right, but that was as good as it got before a combination of Sobte and a post thwarted substitute Keane Ashwood.
Shoves, scuffles and a late sending-off
Matthew out-jumped his marker but headed straight at Glover seven minutes before the end – all that after a smattering of bookings for both sides – but it turned needlessly passionate in stoppage time when visiting defender Stuart Tovey was dismissed for his remonstrations following a penalty award to Ascot – the ten men subsequently watched on as Matthew converted the spot kick that he had earlier won, and 5-1 it finished.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen will be glued to Monday’s first qualifying round draw before plotting a way past Guernsey as league action returns to the Racecourse next Saturday.
Ascot United: Sobte, Lock, Ajanlekoko, Tucker, Bailey, McCormack, Killeen (Allsopp 68’), Matthew, Lahtinen-Kalsi, H. Grant (Welch 80’), Kassim (Lalustani 65’). Subs unused: Sykes, Balogun, Brown, Laflin
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Man: Jordan Ajanlekoko (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 25
Photo: hat-trick hero Brendan Matthew celebrates after the game (shooting-stars.co.uk)
