Ascot United U14 Diamonds v AFC Reading Montana Belles

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V AFC Reading Montana Belles

It was a foggy morning in Reading with visibility poor and a chill in the air but a determined bunch of Diamonds arrived at Berkshire Sports Club to approach their next challenge in the league.

The game kicked off at 10.31 am and it was a fast and furious start by the Diamonds switched on from the first whistle as Gabby collected a long ball and made an outstanding run into the area under pressure from the Reading defender as the ball whistled across the goal mouth, Holly already keen to show her quick feet on the wing was sharp enough to keep the ball in and pick out Macy on the edge of the box and it was a lovely strike following a great first touch into the far corner to register a goal in the 2^nd minute of play.

Macy’s fine form up front continuing thanks to a wonderful bit of work by Gabby to Hollie(with an e) who provided the assist to Macy………….1 NIL to the Diamonds

It was Macy’s second goal of the season

In the 12^th minute the reliable Emma won a ball off the advancing midfielder and put through a pin point pass the Mia who calmly sent the ball forward to half way line for the electric Alexa to collect and turn her marker inside out in fact on to the turf without touching her. With two more Reading defenders closing in like ninjas from the Shaolin temple, Alexa managed to force her way between both to send the ball towards the box where Gabby terrorizing the Reading defence from kick off made another intelligent run into the box beating the chasing defender to the ball as the linesman was again doing something with his flag frantically, but Gabby cool, calm and collected slotted the ball past the keeper with the ease of picking strawberries. What a finish 2 NIL to the Diamonds and it was a goal that Gabby was searching for from the start.

It was Alexa’s 4^th assist of the season to go alongside her four goals and Gabby in charge scoring her 4^th goal of the season.

In the 15^th minute of play Alexa bossing the wing even under a number of heavy challenges, again danced past the winger, and this time motored down the wing before pulling up just inside the corner flag and sinking a sweet left foot cross into the box which was controlled by Holly who slid it through to Macy who yet again stroked the ball past the diving keeper to make it 3 NIL.

It was another outstanding bit of football from the Diamonds all round as Holly (with a Y this time) provided her first assist of the season and Macy her 3^rd goal of the season alongside her 3 assists

The Diamonds were now on fire as Reading continued to battle hard.

In the 29^th minute following a few minutes of ascendency from Reading where they made a number of attempted runs they took advantage of a rare misplaced pass in the midfield to drive forward and unleash perhaps the best shot they had all game on target for Pippa to make a fine save.

The response however from the Diamonds was swift as Tabitha danced through the midfield and put a pass out wide for Emily to send it forward and who else Energiser Gabby with the after burners  on to dart on to the ball as the linesman was running and waving to calmly finish with style past the advancing keeper to make it 4 NIL to the Diamonds.

It was great build up play and even better awareness by Gabby to make that run timed to perfection and calmly finish the ball ahead of the chasing defender.

This was Gabby’s 2^nd goal of the game and her 5^th goal of the season.

In the 35^th minute a mis directed clearance in the middle allowed Readings forward to attack the Ascot defence and Pippa bravely advanced to close the angle but they cleverly passed the ball back to the advancing midfielder who lifted the ball goalwards to just beat Pippa’s outstretched gloves to make it 4-1. Was this going to be the comeback Reading were waiting for.

4-1 at the break.

In the 40^th minute Alexa still running like the wind on the left wing motored down the line before switching the ball to the far right where Hollie controlled and dribbled past one challenge before putting a pinpoint pass into the box where Amira received the ball and with her back to goal back heeled a crisp pass to none other the dangerous Gabby who with a defender right next to her needed no second invitation to bury the ball in the net.  Another wonderful finish to complete a sensational hat trick.

5-1 to Ascot, Amira with a wonderful assist her 3^rd of the season and Gabby with her hat trick making it her 6^th goal of the season.

In the 61^st, 62^nd and 63^rd minutes Ascot won a series of corners all delivered by Aariyah and on the third delivery the ball landed in the box for Amira fox in the box to tap in what was the simplest of her 9 goals this season

It was an Aariyah assist her 3^rd of the season and Amira’s 9^th goal this season.

6-1 to Diamonds

Opposition player of the match was Holly (with a Y) who displayed all her skills all over the pitch and then in goal and Coaches player of the match Pippa for a fine first half display in goal, backed up by a commanding performance as an attacking centre back

Ascot Diamonds move to 18 points with their 6^th win of the season in 8 games