Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans v West London Rams Veterans

The 1st XI returned to action against last season’s champions, knowing that nothing other than 3pts would suffice following the disappointments of their previous two outings. Despite the dropped points, Ascot’s destiny remains in their own hands but wins are a must.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with few chances of note but Ascot started to take the upper hand around the quarter of the hour mark. That dominance grew and chances came, particularly from very well delivered corners, but the deadlock remained. On 28 minutes, Fennell burst onto a neat through ball, only to be unceremoniously tumbled an inch outside the box. The resulting free kick, however, did not immediately follow – the game temporarily postponed due to developing fog. On its restart, four stood over the ball, with Standing the elected taker; a role he fulfilled admirably, lifting the ball over the wall into the top corner.  1-0 Ascot.

In the remainder of the delayed half,  WLR tried to unsettle Ascot, with some success. Ascot lost a bit of their control and the game became scrappy, physical and niggly. Following a very robust challenge, Moroney received a sinbin for questioning the referee’s lack of response – a surprising decision considering what he had let go and ignored prior to this decision. But Ascot coped well for the 10 minutes they played with one less player, even winning a penalty after the break following a marauding run from Johnson onto a Bennett lay off. Not for the first or last time, Johnson was upended. The resulting spot kick taken by Withers, admirably kept out by a full length save.

Ascot though were not to be denied. On 55 minutes, the excellent Standing turned provider, delivering a cross from the left, turned home by Fennell who bravely dived in between flailing boots. 2-0 Ascot.  Ten minutes later it was 3, again Standing the provider as he slipped in Lewis who made no mistake.  The fourth nearly came moments later – a potential goal of the season contender, following a break and neat interplay between Lewis, Sykes and Moroney, denied by an excellent save.

Ascot did not allow WLR a sniff in the final 15 minutes, controlling the tempo, maintaining possession and sitting deep out of possession. Ascot’s night’s work was rounded off in style with a 4th by Moroney from the spot,  following a foul on the impactful Tavberidze.

4-0 it ended and 3pts secured. Finally, the 1s are up and running. And more performances of this ilk can only mean more maximum points will follow.