Ascot United Allied Under 18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Didcot Town.
From the start, it was clear the young Yellamen were up against it. A large expectant home crowd of around 250, a team that had put six past Thame United in the previous round and a squad who benefit from academy training; Josh Nice’s side did well to stay in the hunt. And, after conceding in the first-half, his side would finally threaten the home side’s ‘keeper just before the break, before acquitting themselves admirably kicking into the second-half wind.
Despite being under pressure for long spells, they pressed forward in the latter stages to their great credit and on another day might have nicked something, but it wasn’t to be. ‘Keeper Sam Hayes was probably the pick of the bunch with a confident showing both with gloves and feet, but the team will benefit from facing a strong Didcot side as they wait for their own league programme to commence. Didcot have a good set-up and talented players; good luck to them in the next round.