Ascot United Veterans v Hartley Witney Veterans

Report

Great attitude in depth

We welcomed Hartley Whitney Vets to the racecourse ground for the first time. They brought a very good team and a really good game was played in good spirits. It is great to be playing but we do miss a few beers in the bar afterwards.

HW had the majority of possession in the first part of the game and Ascot were organising themselves really well with great communication from Ed and Woody who made an impressive debut. Ascot got into the game and after 10 minutes a good passing move between Stu and Ben gave Mick the chance to chip a ball into Jez who volleyed just wide. HW began to create a few decent situation with good play from quick player wide right. Great speed and energy. Kev was making his debut as a goalkeeper and did really well to keep the game level. Ascot were excellent out of possession and had a fantastic attitude and application. On 21mins, Ascot also showed they could play with a move out from the back. Chris was starting to get things working for the Ascot midfield and worked well with John to play into Jez’s feet, Jez set Abbas and his shot was well saved. Chris was winning tackles and making interceptions and Woody was snapping in.

On 32m HW took the lead when the ball fell kindly to the striker following an Ascot mix up and he slotted it home 0-1. Jad started to do his Cafu impressions again and broke brilliantly down the right wing and almost created a goal for Ascot. Chris showed great strength to win  3 tackles in the same move then linked with Abbas who gave Jez the chance to strike just wide. A cross shot from John nearly went in but it stayed at 0-1 to half time and it was a very good half.

6m into the second half and it was 2 for HW. A right wing cross and Jad glanced away a clearing header which was collected out wide by a HW player. He cut in and picked a perfect spot right in the top corner for a great goal. HW were applying pressure now but thanks to a real team ethic, Ascot prevented them from creating any real chances. There was a lot of HW possession and Ascot were reduced to making the odd break but were struggling to keep hold of possession. After 70 minutes a hopeful long cross from the left wing was half cleared but fell fortunately at the HW strikers’ feet who smashed it into the roof of the net. 0-3

Ascot started to make some really good moves with Stu and Leon working hard and continually showing good movement. Another good move with Jad and John created space for Leon to drive forward and his pass in behind the defence was just too far ahead of Carl. Two very late HW goals gave the scoreline a flattering look at the end.

Great team effort by the whole squad tonight. Hard working and organised out of possession  and moving the ball quickly in possession played some really good football.

Debuts tonight for Woody and Darren. Welcome gents

Team

Patterson, Sidhu, Du Bois, Woodford(c), Parker, Tredwell, Heard, Hussain, Flurry, Myhan, Spence, Dunkley, Lewis, Palmer-Wilson, Gavin, England, Hamblin, Kay