Ascot United Men v Milton United

Report

McCORMACK STRIKES LATE IN COUNTY CUP WIN

Milton’s Mungall finally beaten in goal

 

Sean McCormack’s 87^th minute header was enough to send Ascot through to the Berks and Bucks County Cup fourth round in a 2-1 victory over Milton United on Tuesday. Visiting ‘keeper Timmy Mungall was in simply outstanding form as he saved shot upon shot from the hosts, who had earlier seen a half-time lead cancelled out early in the second period.

 

On a bitterly cold evening, man-of-the match Harry Grant stung Mungall’s palms eleven minutes in, although that transpired to be one of his easier saves as the evening progressed.

 

Livewire Adam Smith then forced Mark Scott into a low, albeit comfortable save at the other end, before the hosts’ Harvey Harry was well challenged by defender Sam Elkins as he shaped to shoot at Mungall once again.

 

Harry had a fine game and had three decent shouts for penalties as the game went on; the first of which came in the 34^th minute. But almost straight after that, Milton went up the other end and Scott needed to be alert to Ollie Nadin’s rising drive, which he tipped over.

 

But just as it looked as if the first half would finish goalless, Ascot took a 43^rd minute lead when Joe Gater headed home unmarked after McCormack and Grant’s short-corner routine paved the way for the latter to cross into the six-yard box.

 

The second half was almost all one-way traffic, although Milton stunned their hosts through Louis Bloomfield, whose nonchalant dipping volley sailed over Scott and into the back of the net to level the tie in the 52^nd minute.

 

But after that it seemed that Mungall would at least take the tie to penalties, producing a string of brilliant saves to keep his side in the hunt.

 

Firstly, he saved from Aiden Payne-James, then from Usman Lalustani’s low left-footed effort, and once again from Lalustani’s close-range header that owed as much to Ollie Lahtinen-Kalsi’s delivery.

 

Substitute Connor Holland then played in Payne-James who was thwarted by Mungall again – this time making himself big enough to make a fine block – before producing another double save to deny Grant and Lalustani in quick succession.

 

But Mungall’s amazing double-save in the 78^th minute eclipsed all that had gone before when he firstly stuck out a leg to deny Grant, then Holland’s follow-up, and he almost saved a third shot from Holland which found the back of the net but was chalked off for offside.

 

However, tired legs in the visiting defence gifted possession back to Ascot when attempting to play out in the game’s closing stages; Khalid Simmo whipped in a dangerous cross, and McCormack drifted in to plant a low, downward header across the helpless Mungall and into the bottom left to settle the tie.

 

That was harsh on Mungall who would probably have fancied his chances in a penalty shoot out given all that had gone before, but it was deserving of Ascot on the balance of play.

 

What’s next for Ascot?

Raynes Park Vale, away, this Saturday.

 

Ascot United: Scott, Goulter, Jones (Holland 46’), Grant, Gater, McCormack (Ekperuoh 90’), Butler, Lahtinen-Kalsi, Lalustani (Simmo 77’), Payne-James, Harry. Subs unused: Edwards, Swyer

 

Entertainment: 4

Reporter’s Star Man: Harry Grant (Ascot United)

Away fans (estimate): 10