Ascot United 2nd X1 Veterans v Latimer Road Veterans

Report

There are some games where so much happens that you really don’t know where to begin. This was one such game.

 

Do you begin with the delayed kick off so that one member of the Ascot side could frantically try to get the kit dry? Or the injuries to two players in the first half hour that leaves you to face down a side gunning for promotion with nothing but the bare bones? Or perhaps the fact that two more players – Stu Birkett and Adam Abusweder – could barely walk at the end and yet were somehow putting in crunching tackles and winning the ball back? Or would you go with a magnificent first goal in Ascot colours for Islam Hussein halfway through the second half? Or the dramatic late penalty (following a hand ball on the line and with that a red card) that put Ascot 3-2 up with five left?

 

And that’s just the short summary, too…..

 

Ascot came into the game knowing it was going to be tough. Latimer were going for the second of the two promotion slots. They needed the three points. But, the same was also said at Army Crusaders two weeks previously and the Yellas came out of that one three points richer….

 

Latimer did nonetheless get out of the blocks quickly,although they didn’t create that many clearcut chances. They certainly did have the better of things possession-wise in the first half.

 

But, as the game wore on and Ascot found themselves dealing with an injury crises, the shape of the game changed. Indeed, Ascot began to come into it much more. The move to 4-4-2 seemed to work, and Alex Markarian and Jon Bennett up top began stretching the Latimer back line. With half-time on the horizon it was Bennett who delightfully chipped the ‘keeper only to see the ball crash off the bar. He turned provider a few minutes later, Adam Abusweder careering into the box like Bryan Robson in his pomp only to see the ball fly over the bar. 0-0 it remained at half time.

 

DoF Dando simply demanded more of the same. Keep going, keep at them and the chances will come. He wasn’t wrong.

 

Bennett soon broke down the left and fizzed a delightful ball across the six yard line. Markarian was on hand to steer it home. Islam Hussein was then composure personified as he smoothly turned and tucked the ball top bins at the pavilion end. The girls and women who had spilled out of the presentation night in the pavilion let it be known that they most definitely approved. 2-0 and Ascot were on the charge.

 

Latimer, to their credit, came back. They scrambled a first via an Ascot defender’s knee, and then notched a second. 20 minutes to go and it was all up for grabs.

 

Bennett – again – caused chaos down the Latimer right, crossing for the late-arriving Markarian. He had to score…..but the Latimer keeper somehow got across and kept the ball out. Respect due, top quality stuff.

 

Ascot, however, were not to be denied. Islam Hussein used that gem of a left foot to curl a ball in from the right. Everyone watched it go by and it was all set to go into the back of the net until a Latimer defender slapped it off the line. Red card, penalty, and Jon Bennett showing nerves of steel to put the game to bed.

 

This was indeed the game that had everything. And respect due to all involved, a top team effort and a really good example of knuckling down, taking the strain and hanging in there. Best of luck to anyone trying to pick a man of the match out of that lot….

 

Team. Eryk Nawala, Dan Hough, John Wilkes, John Keough, Darren Lewis, Leon PW (c), Adam Abusweder, Mano Chahal, Jon Bennett, Alex Markarian and Glenn Johnson

Subs. Islam Hussein, Stuart Birkett

Scorers. Alex Markarian, Islam Hussein, Jon Bennett (pen).