Ascot United 1st XI Veterans vs West London Rams Veterans

The Racecourse Ground tonight welcomed the sides sitting in the top two spots of the Premier League. Radio chatter throughout the day had identified that this was not just any old game, this was one of the big ones! This was in direct contrast to the chat in the dressing room before kick off, where the emphasis was very much on this being just another game.

The Rams started on the front foot and solidified that early pressure with a well worked goal dispatched into the far bottom corner of Ascot’s net. 1-0 Rams.

Not to worry. The possibility of the opposition scoring had been discussed before kick off – it was likely. But so were goals from Ascot, so no matter what, just keep playing how we want to play as the mantra. And boy did it pay dividends!

Ascot started to look in control of the ball and their dominance grew. The scores were level within 5 minutes, a cross from Carl Withers expertly buried by the head of Ian Davies. 1-1 and game on!

Seven minutes later, it was 2. A period of sustained pressure resulted in a switch from Stuart Tanfield to Davies, who clinically grabbed his second.

Following a pile driver of a shot from the Rams which rattled Ascot’s bar, it was Tanfield and Davies in combination again that saw the lead become 3-1; Davies putting it ‘top bins’ in the words of the mini-Munns!

The Rams were rattled: Ascot utterly dominant. Another switch from Tanfield to Davies saw the latter brought down just outside the box. Tanfield, often maligned for his shooting!, stepped up – 4-1; another in top bins!

Half time came a little early after a head injury to the Rams’ keeper, we do hope he’s okay. The message was clear; keep doing what you’re doing and don’t offer them any encouragement.

After the restart, the Rams upped the tempo whilst Ascot tried to remain calm in possession. A misplaced pass it was though that gave the Rams hope – 4-2.

But the response was superb. Ascot simply wrestled control of the ball and truth be told, looked comfortable.

They put the game to bed when Davies grabbed his 4th from the spot, having been brought down when receiving Tanfield’s most recent cross.

Five became six for Ascot when Davies bagged his fifth of the night following excellent work by Sam McIntyre and Toby Underwood and the most outrageous pass/skewed shot from Carl Withers.

6-2 with 15 to play. The bar was rattled again, this time by Davies, but for the majority of the remaining time Ascot just kept the ball.

A top night’s work, with 16 strong performances – every player making a really decent contribution.

Next up, Claygate. And whist we can all enjoy tonight, the 3pts mean nothing without them being joined by 3pts from that next away trip!