Ascot United 2nd X1 Veterans v Polytechnic Veterans

Report

Ascot United’s second string claimed their first home win of 2025 in what was ultimately a good performance against an obdurate Poly side. For an hour, however, the Yellas really laboured as they struggled to break down a solid visiting defensive unit. Skipper Steve Dando got the hosts on the scoreboard via a piledriver from the edge of the box, and, once that went in everything about the Yellas’ evening got easier. Goals, as they say, really do change games.

Back in November Ascot United IIs and Poly shared nine goals between them in what was ultimately a real thriller in Chiswick. The game at the Racecourse on 28 March had an altogether different dynamic about it; the Yellas dominated possession from start to finish, but there were times in the first half in particular when Poly looked much more likely to score. Indeed, it was only as Poly tired in the second half that the Yellas finally managed to get smoothness and no small amount of style into their play.

The key man in all of that was arguably birthday boy Adam Abusweder. He came on 45 seconds into the second half (when poor old Leon Palmer-Wilson hobbled off) and immediately added a modicum of composure to proceedings. Matt Newall’s Beckenbauer-esque demeanour at the back also helped, whilst Steve Dando’s energy in the middle of the park really helped push the Yellas forward.

That it was Dando, a man who’s been consistent all campaign long, who broke the deadlock met with widespread approval. Adam Fennell scuffed a free kick against the wall, Dando boshed the rebound home. The sense of relief around the ground was palpable,

Football then became much, much easier. John Wilkes and particularly Karl Small offered width down the flanks, Stuart Birkett buzzed merrily on the left and Tim Standing knitted things together impressively.

Poly, to their credit, blocked and harassed and made life continually difficult for Ascot. Adam Fennell, in particular, just couldn’t get his shots anywhere near the goal, largely as bodies were perennially put on the line right in front him.

The goals, did, however start to flow. One came from a penalty, another was a tap that followed a nice run and pull back on the left. You had to feel a bit for the Poly keeper; not only did he injure himself at one point, he also managed to lose a contact lens, too. He soldiered on though, and every respect to him for doing so.

The scoreline makes this game look like a walk in the park. It wasn’t quite like that. Ascot did get where they needed to go, and by the end the ball was fizzing around impressively. But for quite some time there were worries around that it might just be ‘one of those nights’. In the end, all unfounded.

Ascot’s second string have a week off on 4/5 April, but they back in action on 12 April when they travel to Army Crusaders.