Ascot United Supervets v Croxley Green Super Veterans

Report

14 February 2025
Ascot United SVs 3-2 Croxley Green SVs

Ascot United Supervets came from two goals down to defeat a dogged Croxley side 3-2 on 14 February. Croxley had the better of the first half, but in the second period Ascot bounced back and by the end the hosts were battering the door down in an attempt to snatch a winner. Cue a 92nd minute trademark Stuart Flurry step over, a lovely ball to the back post and a thumping header from Chris Purdue. Ascot were over the line.

“The sign of a good side” mused co-gaffer Stu Flurry to Mark Chapman Five Live in his post-match interview “is one that wins when they don’t play particularly well. That was Ascot United this evening”. The crowd of, erm, two (respect due to Doug Page and Glenn Johnson) would no doubt agree.

Certainly in the first half Ascot kept shooting themselves in the foot. Passes went astray, tackles were missed and in truth Croxley had much the better of things. The visitors subsequently went ahead on 20 minutes and then doubled their lead soon after when the ball (somehow) squirmed its way in from a corner. The 2-0 scoreline didn’t flatter them either.

Ascot re-grouped. Pep Guardiporter and Stuart Slot opted to move from a three at the back to a four; and, that definitely improved things. Mike Tomlinson managed to get his foot on the ball a bit more whilst Nigel Gatehouse no longer found himself getting dragged out to face down Croxley’s dangerous winger.

The passing got a bit sharper, the movement a bit better, and it wasn’t a complete surprise when Ascot broke and scored. Paul Hamblin was the man on target, pinging home from just outside the box to halve the deficit.

Half-time came and went and by this point Ascot were firmly going through the gears. Chris Purdue came on in the middle of the park; he both put his foot in and indeed started passing the ball about nicely. Micky Parker came on at left back and immediately made the tricky right winger’s life a lot more difficult. Phil White started knitting things together and the ever-dangerous Chris Ferdinand entered the fray and immediately made it clear he was in the mood for goals.

And, it was indeed Ferdinand who struck to bring the scores level. Phil White played him in, the big striker turned and smacked the ball home with quite some aplomb.

Would Ascot have enough time to score a winner? Referee Justin Staniforth indicated that the game was moving into injury time. Seven days previously the twos had lost 3-2 in time added on; would there be a fifth goal in this game and if so which way was it going to go?

It was Ascot that continued to press. ‘Keeper Stockford had largely been a spectator in the second 45 minutes, but he was involved in started the crucial move that won the game. The ball went through the thirds and ended up at the feet of player manager Flurry. The step over was wheeled out and that step over did indeed gain the co-gaffer half a yard. He curled in a beauty of a cross to the back post. Chris Purdue steamed in and crashed a header past the stricken custodian. 3-2, game won.

Croxley were tough opponents on day one of the season. The return game at Ascot was no different. They battle hard and give little away. Respect due. They’ll be hoping it’s third time lucky for them when the two teams meet again the cup semi-final in three weeks’ time.

In the meantime, Ascot are now played nine, won nine in the league. Just the five league contests left. Invincibles? It’s certainly a possibility……

Team. Rob Stockford, Martin Kay, Abbas Hussain, Nigel Gatehouse, Matt Newall, Dave Porter, Mike Tomlinson (c), Mike Hynes, Phil White, Dave Thompson, Paul Hamblin.
Gamechangers. Chris Purdue, Stuart Flurry, Micky Parker, Stu Flurry, Dan Hough
Scorers. Paul Hamblin, Chris Ferdinand, Chris Purdue