Improved Yellamen slip to 1-0 defeat
Ascot United lost their fourth successive league game despite an improved performance at Bedfont Sports on Saturday. The Yellamen dominated the first half and should have led at the break, but a marginally better second half from the initially sloppy home side ultimately led to victory on a day when youngster Milo Stuart shone for the visitors.
Yellamen look to arrest worrying dip in form
With four defeats in their last five outings, Ascot’s cushion above the bottom four had diminished, and with the hosts one of those in-and-around them this was surely one to at least avoid defeat in.
October’s reverse fixture had ended in a 1-0 win for the Middlesex outfit, and Ascot’s opportunity for revenge saw them name an Under-18 starter for the first time at Step-four – Milo Stuart – with Luis Le Paih dropping back into central defence.
Ascot dominate but fail to punish sloppy Sports
Ascot’s depleted squad were on top for most of the half and would be disappointed not to go in at half time with something to show for their efforts.
Clear-cut chances were, however, at a premium although when they came, the respective goalkeepers were on top.
Home stopper Tyler Tobin was the busier – producing a fine save to palm Babs Dehghani’s effort away after the ball had broken to him in a central position following David Oupoh’s run and fine cut back in the 18th minute.
Tobin then matched Jaheim Kamara by getting down well to push the winger’s low effort away with a strong right hand after Tyrese Osbourne had played him in midway through the half.
But Mark Scott’s save for Ascot eclipsed them all in the 40th minute. The disjointed hosts finally unlocked Ascot when defender Joe Smith picked out Jude Jakes-Mckay on the left, he cut the ball back for Jamie Fuller, and Fuller’s rising drive towards the top right was beaten away by a flying Scott.
Ascot had more chances to ask a question of slopping home defending, but failed to make them count and the half ended goalless.
Eagles fly highest in second half as Yellamen lack finishing touch
Ascot sat back more in the second half and only a fine, last ditch challenge from Stuart denied the home side a scoring opportunity in the 54th minute; Stuart sensing the danger before dropping inside to thwart Tommy O’Neill.
But ‘Sports would score what proved to be the winner on the hour mark when Jakes-Mckay lashed home on the rebound after Andrew Herring’s shot across Scott had cannoned back off the left-hand post.
Carshalton loanee Steve Gody provided new vigour for Ascot down the left after his introduction one minute before that goal, although it was the lack of striking options – fellow substitute Danylo Hubynets given little change up front following Harvey Harry’s equally fruitless appearance – that led to Ascot’s downfall.
Dehghani – who also had a fine game alongside Stuart and Oupoh – might have levelled it in the 72nd minute but his powerful, swirling effort from distance drew the best from Tobin, who stretched every sinew to tip his effort over the bar.
Stuart’s maturity belied his years and he joined in the Ascot assault late-on, setting Gody free down the left, and when Gody teed up Dehghani, his right footed effort from left-of-goal skimmed off a defender’s boot for a corner.
And, in a succession of late corners, even Scott was sent up in a desperate search for an equaliser, but the home side held on through six added minutes to leapfrog Ascot, who are now just four points above the safety mark.
Ascot United: Scott, Sankoh, Stuart (Traore 89’), Le Paih, Fraser (Lock 88’), Allsopp, Oupoh, Dehghani, Harry (Hubynets 63’), Osbourne (Stewart 74’), Kamara (Gody 59’).
Venue: Bedfont Sports Club
Attendance: 185
Weather: 9c, partly sunny
Ascot United MOM:
Entertainment: 3
Away fans estimate: 25
One-word summary: Harsh