Ascot United 2nd XI v Latimer Road Veterans

Report

10 March 2023

Ascot United Vets’ 2nds 3-1 Latimer Road Vets

Two decent sides served up some generally decent fare on a chilly Friday night in Berkshire. A couple of poacher-like finishes from Ben Spence put Ascot in the box seat although Latimer Road fought back to halve the deficit just before half-time. Latimer were always dangerous on the break, but Ascot still had things more or less under control for most of the second half. Victory, however, was only assured with 15 or so minutes left, Dave Thompson playing Stu Flurry in to make it 3-1.

It’s not often that you go to a football game and first thing that you notice is the wide and varied array of fashion accessories that are on show. The referee set the tone. He decided that a nifty black baseball cap was the order of the day. Attention then turned to the visiting keeper, who wore not only a large hoodie but also a Napoli football scarf. Even by the rather relaxed standards of Vets’ football that was a bit left field. The sartorial show was then rounded off with a Latimer Road striker who wore what was basically a blue beanie. There were, however, times when he’d take it off and run around holding the thing before then putting it back on. Intriguing stuff all round.

Fashion statements to one side, it was Ascot who raced out of the blocks quickest. Paul Woodford and Andy Gleave grabbed control of the middle of the park whilst Micky Parker and Stu Flurry again offered plenty of width. It wasn’t that Ascot necessarily created a sack load of chances, but they certainly looked dangerous and there were times when Latimer couldn’t get out of their own half.

The hosts took the lead about half-way through the first period, Ben Spence pouncing from about five yards out to finish off a decent move. He’d been plugging away gamely up top and it was a goal he richly deserved. Spence then doubledhis tally with a fine glancing header from a Stu Flurry corner. 2-0 and Ascot were ticking nicely.

That didn’t stop centre-half Ed du Bois and the Latimer Road centre forward from having an open and frank exchange about a range of pressing matters. Cost of living crisis? Likely impact of the newly agreed ‘Windsor Framework’? How best to stop small boats from crossing the channel? Maybe…..

Whatever they were discussing, they didn’t appear to be on the same page. Indeed at one stage it appeared that the two were well and truly off each other’s Christmas card lists. The turning point in this relationship appeared to be a rather unexpected change of topic, Du Bois enquiring as to why the centre forward was “so very London!” This, so it transpired, was a topic the centre-forward was most happy to engage with…. leaving the rest of the players to watch as Du Boisand the Latimer striker bonded over their attitudes to what it did indeed mean to be from the nation’s capital and became the very best of friends. All most enlightening.

As the game moved into the second half Ascot continued to have more of the ball although Latimer did continue to look dangerous on the break. Indeed, Latimer thought they’d found the perfect way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty 15 minutes in. The vast majority of people present at the Racecourse Ground thought that the ref had got it wrong; it looked very much as if Du Bois had timed his challenge nicely and cleanly flicked the ball away for a corner. The ref disagreed. Until he suddenly didn’t disagree and overturned his decision.

Latimer were incensed, largely as it’d taken so long to reverse the call. Ascot felt like justice had ultimately been done, butcould see why Latimer were also less than happy with life. Latimer subsequently lost the services of one player for over-protesting and had another sin-binned shortly afterwards for showing more dissent. The game was becoming a mess.

When something resembling a football match did break out again, it was Ascot who were very much in the ascendancy. They’d sailed close to the wind, but gaffer Martin Kay – kicking every ball on the sideline – could finally breath a little easier when Woodford put substitute Dave Thompson through on the right of the box. Thompson squared the ball nicely and Stu Flurry tapped home. 3-1 and the deal really was done.

Take away the penalty shenanigans and this was a really goodgame of football. Ascot ultimately deserved to win, but Latimer Road played their part in what was a decent game. And, it won’t be long before the two teams lock horns again. The two are scheduled to meet in the return fixture sometime in late March/April.

Team; Lee Perry, Dan Hough, Darren Lewis, Ed du Bois, Nigel Gatehouse, Paul Woodford, Andy Gleave, Micky Parker (capt.), Stu Flurry, Jez Myhan and Ben Spence

Subs; Dave Thompson, Adam Abusweder and Dave Freer.

Goals; Ben Spence (2), Stu Flurry