Ascot United Men v Uxbridge

Report

YELLAS AND REDS DRAW AGAIN

Tack’s spot on again in 2-2 draw

 

Ascot United and in-form Uxbridge shared the spoils for the second time this season as both sides battled out a two-all draw on Easter Monday. Uxbridge scored early in both halves, although Liam Tack’s brace sandwiched between them turned the game on its head, in what was an ultimately feisty festive footballing feast.

 

Yellamen look to build on Saturday’s win

Both sides had scored four goals in their respective victories 48 hours earlier, and although they were also enjoying a stronger second half of the season to their first, it was the visitors whose eye-catching form – five wins from their last six – that had propelled them to mid-table security.

 

The Yellamen’s long day out on Easter Saturday had begun before 6am en-route to a 4-2 triumph in Guernsey, so the question was whether they had recovered sufficiently to abate a rampant Reds side who had netted seventeen goals in their recent half-dozen outings.

 

Hayes back in goal behind three hardy Ollies

Young ‘keeper Sam Hayes was back in the starting line up for his 2^nd appearance of the season, with the three Ollies – Mason, Lahtinen-Kalsi and Harris – also included; Harry Grant overseas and paving the way for Mason to shine once again.

 

Reds race out of the blocks

The visitors showed why they have been so prolific in front of goal in recent weeks as Wilson Chingoka’a neat touch opened up space for a shot from distance just nine minutes

in, although Hayes gleefully gobbled up the effort which was straight down his throat.

 

However, the opening goal soon came as Chingoka did well in the build-up, Mahlonda Martin floated a near ball to the far post and Andrio Brandao applied the finishing touch with a neat looping header over Hayes, much to the delight of Uxbridge’s thirty-plus travelling fans.

 

Tack leads the response

The home side showed great character to recover from their early setback, and after Mason’s effort from a promising position had signalled his side’s intent, Tack produced a defence-splitting cross that Harris scuffed wide first-time.

 

But the Yellas drew level just before the half-hour mark with a goal that owed much to the intervention of the referee’s assistant. Sean McCormack did incredibly well to keep his feet in the build-up, and after laying the ball off to George Lock, Lock was upended by defender Hamilton Antonio and a penalty was the decision courtesy of the man with the flag. And, after Tack had hammered his spot-kick just off centre, ‘keeper George Legg thought he had done enough to keep it out, only for the ball to cross the line – a decision also made with the aid of the assistant – much to Legg’s disgust.

 

And, with three minutes of first half stoppage time played, Ascot forged a half time lead. This time, Taylor Morgan twice did well in the build up to ultimately earn his side a corner. McCormack’s resultant delivery wasn’t the best, but it fizzed through a congested six yard box for Tack to convert at the far post, and they all count regardless of their quality.

 

Target man Taylor off as teams toil

The second half didn’t quite match the first in terms of action or drama, and the hosts’ options were limited after the early exit of Morgan due to injury. To his credit, the big striker twice tried to carry on after initially pulling up racing onto an overhit through ball near the corner flag, but his day was soon over and Ascot’s target man – who worked hard in his 48 minute spell – was replaced by Usman Lalustani.

 

The reshuffle didn’t dampen the home side’s spirits too much, although Alex Witham did do that in the 54^th minute when he showed great feet to dance through the hosts’ rearguard and finish with aplomb down low just off centre to draw Uxbridge level once again.

 

Legg uses his hand but goes unpunished

The key moment of the second half came barely moments after The Reds had drawn level. Legg raced from his area to avert danger and did so with a well-disguised hand near his waist – this time the officials didn’t spot the infringement – although in the ensuing play Tack’s glancing header cannoned back off an upright. Had it gone in, it would have been both the ultimate redemption and perfect hat-trick, although sadly the script was written by April’s fool, and parity ensued.

 

At the other end a tiring Uxbridge probed and pressed with little profit, although it took a quite brilliant covering block from George Lock to take Elijah Anthony – and briefly Anthony himself – out of the equation with eight minutes remaining.

 

Manager Jamie Tompkins then transfused his young blood in the closing moments as the impressive Mason – who grows in stature every game – was replaced by Luke Phillips; Mason surely now a candidate for a midfield mainstay following another ninety mature minutes.

 

Five minutes of added time – in part due to the injury delays but moreover due to the plethora of cards dished out – failed to facilitate a late winner for either side, and 2-2 was a fair result for two sides who played their part in a full-blooded bank holiday spectacle.

 

What’s next for Ascot?

The Yellamen are back at home next Saturday when play-off chasing Raynes Park Vale are the visitors.

 

Ascot United: Hayes, Lahtinen-Kalsi, Lock, Tack, Ellis, Tucker, Edwards, T. Morgan (48’), O. Harris, Mason (Phillips 87’), McCormack,  Subs unused: Bailey, Lynch

 

Entertainment: 4

Reporter’s Star Man: Liam Tack (Ascot United)

Away fans (estimate): 30