Actonians Association Veterans v Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans

Another undeserved result for the 1s today. Much the better side they deserved all 3pts but again had to settle for none.

Newly promoted without defeat and with 2 wins in 2 in the Premier Division, Actonians fancied themselves from the start. However, they were steamrollered by the start Ascot made, pressing high and looking totally dominant. This led to an early goal, Moroney returning a poor goal kick with interest beyond the culpable keeper. Nothing less than Ascot deserved.

It seemed certain that this would become 2 and more but it was not quite to be – the keeper making some amends for his earlier howler.

In fact, it was Actonians that scored the next two. The first a very fortunate penalty, after a handball was given against Ferdinand despite his arms being by his side, followed by a poorly defended counter attack. Somehow, 2-1 to the home side.

Ascot could have been forgiven for getting disgruntled (there was some element of this) but as a side pressed again and their response took the game back to Actonians and chances came. Fennell earned a free kick on the edge of the box after jinking past his man and driving past the centre back, who took him out unceremoniously. From the resulting free kick, Standing lifted the ball over the wall and into the top corner. 2-2 at half time.

The second half saw more of the same – Ascot very dominant, Actonians committed in defence, without posing any threat. The ascendancy deservedly led to Ascot regaining the lead, Moroney netting his second, nodding home at the far post from a Tanfield corner.

As in several games this season, Ascot pushed for a 2 goal advantage – it would have been game over if it had come. But it did not and this left the away team vulnerable to Actonians creating just one chance – their Achilles Heel this season.

And so it was to be, the referee playing an enormous role in the last 10 minutes of the proceedings. Firstly, Actonians were awarded their second penalty, this time Woozley very harshly adjudged to have handled. 3-3.

Ascot pushed for the winner. In doing so, Fennell drove into the box and was bundled over – a clear foul and penalty. Unfortunately, the referee’s view was obstructed and he waved play on. Again, Ascot pressed but could not find the winner. In an attempt to do so, Tomlinson had the ball nicked of his toe at the top end of the pitch, the clearance launched beyond halfway and collected by the Actonian forward just inside the attacking half. Immediately and correctly, Ferdinand raised the flag – the forward was a good 2 yrds offside. However, the referee waves play on for the Actonian to lift the ball over the approaching Lyons.

Final whistle – not even time to kick off.

Ascot 1s have to accept that staving off relegation is now their more realistic target, any hope of the title realistically gone. And to do that each member of the squad (management and players, present or absent today!) needs to think what it is he can do to turn this slump around. Genuinely, performances this season have been very good, and better than many in games that were won last season. But that vital ingredient of winning games is currently conspicuous by its absence. How do we change this? Availability is key, our strongest squad needs to pull on the shirts as often as is possible, home and away, but so is giving your all for the cause and believing that the win is possible, even in adversity, when involved.

Let’s hope the 1s’ fortunes change very soon