Ascot United Supervets v Maidenhead & Holyport Supervets

Report

19 April 2024

Ascot United Supevets 3-3 Holyport & Maidenhead Vets

 

“That” as gaffer Dave Porter mused to Five Live’s Mark Chapman immediately after the match had finished “was the dictionary definition of a game of two halves. We played like Brazil in 1970 in the first half and Brechin City in 2017-18 in the second”. Chapman was seen to nod solemnly. “Given that, a draw was probably about the right result”.

 

Not that anyone from Ascot would have been saying anything remotely like that at half-time. In the first 45 the Supervets put in their best performance of the season so far. Zak Dimitrovski and Jez Myhan were causing all sorts of problems up front, whilst Mike Tomlinson was holding court impressively in the middle of the park. Abbas Hussain was flying up and down the left flank like a whippet on speed whilst John Heard lurked with intent on the right. With Matt Newall mobilising the back three impressively Ascot really were flying.

 

Indeed, there was a case to be made that they should have been further in front at half time than they were. Tomlinson and Dan Hough both missed decent chances, Hussain and Heard kept fizzing dangerous balls into the box. At times it was like the Alamo.

 

Eventually goals did come; the tireless Dimitrovski pouncedto open the scoring, whilst Myhan – doing another impressive impression of an ever so slightly maturing Erling Haaland – neatly tucked away the second. Myhan then doubled his tally with a thumping – and I really do mean THUMPING – header from a corner. 3-0 and the hosts were on cruise control.

 

That, however, did not last long. The visitors put another man into midfield and generally pushed higher up the pitch. They soon began getting more of the ball, and eventually the shots came raining in on Eryk Nawala’s goal. The Polish stopper did all he could to keep them out, but ten minutes into the second period Holyport & Maidenhead breached the Ascot dam. A second came following a free kick where Ascot dosed,and the visitors reacted to smartly put the rebound in. A(nother) good header then saw Holyport pull level.

 

Both sides, however, were still creating chances, the key question was whether they’d be able to take any of them. Ascot had their big opportunity when Hussain pinged a ball across the six yard box. Dave Thompson met it well. Goal incoming? No, the ‘keeper somehow scrambled it away.

 

Holyport & Maidenhead then had an even bigger chance. A clear hand ball in the box saw them get a spot kick. The ball went to Eryk Nawala’s left. The Ascot custodian guessed correctly and dived down low to palm the ball away. A number of players raced towards the rebound, and thankfully for Ascot it was the impressive Jad Sidhu who got there first. He thumped the ball out to safety.

 

With that, the deed was done. 3-3, spoils shared in what was a fascinating game of football.

 

Bring on next week when the Supervets play again. Old Lyonians will be the visitors.

 

Team. Eryk Nawala, John Heard, Abbas Hussain, Micky Parker, Matt Newall, Dave Freer, Dave Porter, Mike Tomlinson, Dan Hough, Jez Myhan and Zak Dimitrovski.

Subs. Paul Hamblin, Jad Sidhu, Doug Page, Dave Thompson,

Goals. Jez Myhan (2), Zak Dimitrovski