Yellamen hold on to win 3-2 against Horndean
Ascot United survived a spirited fightback from Horndean in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Qualifying Round on Saturday. Brendan Matthew’s double helped his side to a 3-0 lead with barely a quarter of an hour on the clock before the Hampshire side rallied, but they were unable to deny the Yellamen a debut win in the competition.
Blistering start in blistering heat
Whilst the cloud cover in the first half provided some shelter from the elements, it was a nonetheless warm affair to which Ascot quickly acclimatised.
Barely four minutes were on the clock when Matthew converted sharply from Sean McCormack’s cross to give the visitors an early lead, and things got better in the eighth minute when Sammy Balogun drove forwards after Matthew had turned provider before firing a deflected effort past home ‘keeper Cameron Scott.
And, Matthew was at it again just after the quarter-hour mark with a near copy of the first – slamming home first-time from McCormack’s low right-wing cross once again after Jordan Ajanlekoko had earlier been involved.
Deans kickstart comeback
Ajanleloko himself tried his luck from distance before The Deans pulled a goal back in the 36th minute; Jack Willett getting the better of Ollie Lahtinen-Kalsi and firing past Hugo Sobte in off the inside of the left hand post after Harry Jackson had picked him out.
Ascot might have had a fourth when Matthew’s shot was saved by Scott following Sobte’s excellent long clearance, but it remained 3-1 as the sides changed ends.
Kicking down the slope in the second half the home side certainly had more of the ball and Sobte was alert to palm Jack Breed’s long-range effort over in the 59th minute.
Josh Edwards had the ball in the net for Ascot soon after although he was penalized for handball, before Horndean set up a grandstand finish when Ronny Taw and Jackson combined on the right wing for Tommy Scott to slam home with twenty minutes remaining.
The Deans then threw everything at Ascot, although The Yellamen stood firm at the back and the closest they came to being breached was in the 86th minute when Lahtinen-Kalsi bravely threw himself in front of substitute Rudi Blankson’s goal-bound close-range thunderbolt.
But The Yellamen held on to secure a home 2nd qualifying round tie with Lancing on Saturday September 23rd; The Sussex side beating Chipstead 4-2 to book their own berth.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellamen will relish an exciting week ahead when Leatherhead (Tuesday) and Lewes (Friday) will provide tough league and FA Cup opposition at The Racecourse.
Ascot United: Sobte, Lock, Tucker, Edwards, McCormack, H. Grant, Ajanlekoko, Matthew (Brown 77’), Lahtinen-Kalsi, McCoy (Lalustani 67’), Balogun (Welch 74’). Subs unused: Killeen, Bailey, Morgan, Kassim
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Man: George Lock (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 25
Yellow cards: Harry Grant 90+2
