Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans v Hersham Sports & Social FC Veterans

29/10/2021

Details

DateTimeLeagueSeason
29/10/202119:45West London Veterans Football League2021-2022

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom

Report

Shiny in patches and rusty in patches

 

First home league game of the season after a long six week wait with two games postponed. Hersham brought a full squad and you could see after the first 10 minutes that this would be a good game. Ascot created the first opportunity when a whipped cross from Simmo was headed just wide by an unmarked Ben Spence. Both sides looked good going forward but neither seemed at their best without the ball.

Hersham took the lead with a very decent touch and finish from their centre forward who had found a little room on the edge of the box. Ascot came straight back and with good pressure on the ball, Ben Standing won it back and played into Ben Spence who finished with composure after 18 minutes. Ascot lost Wooz and Ben Spence to hamstrings after 35 minutes in very similar areas of the pitch (possible curses are being investigated). Sam and Tim were strong replacements and Tim hit the bar after creating a little room for himself on the edge of the area. Ascot started to build on more possession for the last 15 minutes of the half and Rich also made a few decent saves at important times to keep the scores level at half time.

In the second half Ascot took the set 6-3. In the first minute Sam got in round the back and clipped the ball into the middle. A defensive mishap left Ben (Standing) with a tap in for 2-1. Ascot returned the defensive error favour to allow a similar goal for Hersham after 52 minutes and we were level again. Tim and Rob started to get the better of the midfield and Ascot also started to create a lot more space and more chances. Ascot tended to score and then politely let Hersham back into the game to keep the crowd on their toes. Both thrilling and slightly annoying.

Tim danced around a couple and put in his brother Ben who just chipped a half chance just over the bar. Simmo whipped in another great cross and Sam just failed to take it into his stride. Rocket won the ball in his own half and quickly played into Andy who saw Sam galloping into loads of space. Perfect pass from Andy, strength to hold off two defenders and composure to finish from Sam. Rob took the score to 4-2 with a good goal but once again Hersham came back when their no 14 found himself in a little space outside the box and danced into even more space before finishing into the corner.

Rob switched play wide to Simmo who knocked it inside to Tommo. A turn of pace, quick feet and Tommo was past two and bringing out a very good save from the keeper with a left foot shot from the edge of the box. Sam was a huge threat. Creating space and putting the Hersham defence under real pressure in possession. Ascot went 5-3 ahead with a wonderful goal from Rob. The Hersham keeper was clearing his lines from the left of his box. The ball was traveling at speed towards Rob who had the technique and vision to smash a volley straight back into the net from about 35 yards. So, 75 minutes and surely it’s done. Not quite. The Hersham number 14 repeated his earlier trick and we were 5-4 with 10 minutes left. Rich made a great save tipping over a dipping shot that was heading for the top corner.

Sam and Rob then finished the game off

Rob’s swung in a great corner and Sam rose at the near post to smash in an unstoppable header. Rob then completed his hat-trick with the final goal of the game.

Good to have a few beers in the bar with the opposition after the game. Entertaining the fans with #FNF

We wish Wooz and Ben Spence speedy recoveries. It was a delight to welcome Matt Newall and Dave Thompson back onto the pitch after lengthy lay-offs for both of them. Good minutes under the belt.

Team : Harrison, Du Bois, Keough, Woodford, Gleave (c), Woozley, Simpson, Corbett, Saunders, Spence, B Standing , Newall, Tomlinson, T Standing, McIntyre, Thompson

Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans7

Hersham Sports & Social FC Veterans4

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom
Referee to be confirmed