Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans v Nottsborough Veterans

Report

First league game. Dominant start

It was warm and it was humid. Thanks to the Vets new sponsor Ucheware ,Ascot took to the pitch in new sponsored kit and got it all totally soaked. This was a very dominant performance from start to finish. Nottsborough worked so hard and although they struggled to stem the incoming tide they should be acknowledged for their fitness and their team spirit.

With evening temperatures reaching mid 20’s it was going to be important for Ascot to keep the ball and move the opposition around. That is how they started and how they finished. The build ups were patient and then decisive with Sam and Adam both completing hattricks.

Ascot took the lead in the 7^th minute after virtually dominating all the possession up to this moment. It was a move which flowed from one side of the pitch to the other where Tanners stepped inside and fed Sam who turned it inside for Adam to lash into the roof of the net from the D. Left foot, right foot, whatever for the skipper. Matt was organising everything from the back and Ascot were pressing high and not giving Nottsborough any time on the ball and the Nottsborough keeper was making a number of good saves to keep them in the game. It did seem like Ascot could do with a second goal to reward their possession, but it was Nottsborough who nearly scored on 40 minutes with a fast break through the middle. The striker was one on one and massively surprised by the speed that Nick had coming off his line to gather the ball from the striker’s toes. On 42 minutes, Ascot got the second goal that their performance merited. Stu again out wide and cutting the ball into Mikey who ran through the middle, played a 1-2 with Adam before calmly sliding the ball into the corner of the net. A poor square ball on halfway was intercepted by Sam who played in Adam and it was 3-0 on the stroke of half time.

A couple of changes at half time with debuts for Adam Logie and Anthony Everest. Ascot just kept playing and retained decent ball speed across the whole pitch. There was an early warning in this half as Nottsborough probably should’ve scored from a header in the six yard box coming from a very good inswinging corner. A minute later and it was four. Loges drove hard at the Nottsborough back four and found Adams feet, who laid it off the Sam who finished with a perfectly placed shot into the roof of the net. Ten minutes later and it was 5 when Sam finished another good move involving Tanners and Adam (a 60’s folk duo?). It was nearly 6 a minute later when Loges again drove forward and took a set from Adam before a wonderful strike that went just wide. Then, Adam twisting and turning three defenders in a telephone bpx before smashing into the roof of the net. Worthy of a goal and an assist.

On 60 minutes, Tommo came on for Ferdi and Glenn came on upfront for Sam. Ascot were retaining control and the ball speed continued to be high. On 75 minutes a deep free kick was swept in by a returning Sam at the far post. Nottsborough were still working and trying to get out. Ascot coughed the ball up at the back and the Nottsborough striker had a free run in for the consolation goal. However, Nick had plenty of motivation to keep a clean sheet on his league debut. He came out quick, stood tall. A very good save and that was going to give Ascot United Vets 1^st XI their first home clean sheet for 18 months.

Two more goals to round off the evening. A barnstorming run by Rocket from inside his own half was only ended when he was upended inside the box. He dusts himself down and roles the pen calmly into the back of the net before wandering back into his own half again.

The final goal capped a great midfield performance by Tim. A very high quality goal starting with Tommo winning the ball back deep in the Ascot half following a Nottsborough attack. Four one touch passes gets Sam away down the right, he cuts back and sees Glenn making tracks to the far post. A wonderful ball and an exquisite touch inside by Glenn left the on rushing Tim with a tap in from three yards. That goal will take some beating this season.

Team

Beard, Ferdinand, Newall, Corbett, White, Tanfield, Lewis, Standing (T), Underwood, Moroney, McIntyre, Tomlinson, Logie, Everest, Johnson