Sorry Yellas beaten 3-0 by Sarnies
Ascot United slumped to a 3-0 defeat against fellow mid-table side Egham Town on Saturday. In an insipid display, the home side could have lost by more against their rampant Surrey neighbours in a game that ended with both sides having a man sent off.
Little to separate both sides on paper
With both sides locked together on 31 points and having each won just one of their last six, this would surely be a close affair, even if Ascot had put nine goals past The Sarnies in winning their two previous encounters this season.
Egham’s attacking options had suffered with the transfer of Jordi Ebanda to Hayes and Yeading United, although the home side’s availability woes once again saw them call on their junior ranks, plus a couple of loanees from Walton and Hersham. Under-18 Julien Malta-Bey was named on the bench again alongside Swans loanee David Oupoh; Ukrainian team-mate Danylo Hubynets into the starting line-up.
Egham dominate first half
The visitors should have been out of sight by half time, with striker Connor Cullen a constant menace and Luke Wayborn’s booming long throw-ins proving an effective weapon.
They might have led inside the opening minute only for Brad Clayton’s sliced left-footed effort to loop onto the angle of Mark Scott’s crossbar and post, but they would soon go ahead when Excellence Muhemba found the bottom right hand corner via the post with a neat first-time finish to convert a cross from the right when sliding to ground.
Cullen’s shot at the far post deflected wide for a corner following another Wayborn missile into the area, although his 33rd minute delivery led to number two when it was helped onto the unmarked Connor Jeanes on the left to side-foot in on the volley.
Tyrese Osbourne’s driving run and shot just before that goal was Ascot’s only threat, although ‘keeper Michael Edegbe got down to his left to easily save.
At half time it looked like there would only be one winner.
Second half – more of the same
The home side were perhaps marginally better after the break, although they were indebted to Scott for keeping the scoreline down.
Cullen should have scored after latching onto a poor pass from the hosts – Scott got down low to save – and in the ensuing play he beat Muhemba’s rasping shot away for a corner.
But after Wayborn’s long-throw-in after 75 minutes had caused chaos in the home defence, Scott saved twice, before Clayton smashed home to put the game to bed.
Late handbags involving almost the entire outfield 22 saw Rudi Pache and Connagh Wilks both dismissed, although both raised themselves to shake hands as they walked off the pitch; perhaps a highlight even if Ascot’s ongoing player shortage will now take another knock.
Southall away on Wednesday is a pretty big game now, but form on the road is not something to write home – or indeed away – about.
Ascot United: Scott, Sankoh, Murray, Fraser, Allsopp, Hubynets, Harry (Traore 63’), Osbourne, Le Paih (Malta-Bey 76’), Pache, Simmo (Oupoh 46’). Subs unused: Edwards, L. Vine.
Venue: The Racecourse Ground, Ascot
Attendance: 144
Weather: 9c, partly sunny
Ascot United MOM: inconclusive
Entertainment: 2
Away fans estimate: 30
One-word summary: Demoralising
Image: Jess from sponsors KJ Smith pre-match (shooting-stars.co.uk)