Ascot United Veterans v Holyport Veterans

Report

A good game against two good teams

For the second time running this season there was a welcome return to FNF at the racecourse ground with an entertaining friendly game against Holyport and a great fundraiser.

We have had some great games against Holyport over recent years. A good set of players and well organised. A full Holyport squad gave us the chance to play against two different teams each half. A tough ask.

It was a good game from the start. After 3 minutes Ascot working the ball well and a nice 1-2 with Rob and Leon saw a great inside heel flick turn (is that a thing?) by Leon to get in behind. His cross was just behind Ben Spence at the far post. Holyport were also playing some nice football and equally capable of knocking the ball around and retaining possession. Another Ascot move and Rob saw the keeper off the line and was only just wide with a 40 yard attempt. JK and Bjorn were stifling the Holyport attempts to break forward but a step up without checking shoulders allowed a Holyport forward to break through and square the ball for an easy finish. Holyport 1 up after 14mins.

Ascot responded with an equaliser from a set piece a few minutes later. A deep inswinging corner from Rob has headed home by Bjorn; his first goal for the Vets. Good movement from both teams both in and out of possession.

Ascot scored two in a minute to take a 3-1 lead. After 31 mins Ascot took the lead as Rob broke down the right and delivered an excellent deep cross to the far post where Carl finished with a very good header. A minute later Dave W took a quick free kick on halfway to put in Ben Spence down the right with a great 30 yard ball. Ben played it past the defender in a Don Rogers style (one for the grandads) and then finished cleanly under the keeper. Really well taken goal.

The back four of Martin, Bjorn, JK and Mick were holding well and Holyport did not get the chance to create much and the half finished with Ascot 3-1 ahead.

Second half and a different Holyport team and they pulled one back right at the start of the half with a 30 yard dipping shot. Disappointing to concede at this time and in this way. We knew they liked a strike from distance. Holyport started to dominate possession with the fresh legs and Ascot subsequently lost control of the game. Dave W and Leon were working so hard in midfield to protect the back four and it was hard to get out. After 56 mins it was all square. A lack of concentration and a a simple through ball put in a Holyport striker in on goal and he comfortably chipped over the keeper. Good work off the ball by Ascot kept the Holyport chances to minimum. A wonderful left foot strike on 75 minutes hit the bar and on 77m clever play by Holyport and player got to byline inside the box and clipped in a great ball to an advancing midfielder. Thankfully an excellent chance was headed wide. Rich made a great save after a quick turn and snapshot from Holyport striker and Ed cleared one off the line with his head.

That seemed to be the last Holyport had to offer as they faded in the last 10 minutes and Ascot managed to get more possession. Wooz drove forward and saw the keeper off his line and clipped a 40 year shot a foot wide. Another great move and back to being brave with the passing and JK played out with Garyth and got it to a running Wooz and he got Stu in round the back. A great situation but the cross was ahead to the on rushing Ascot players.

Ascot created a few more good situations but the passes at the end of the move were understandable tired ones.

Final score 3-3 and a good performance against two very decent Holyport sides.

Team

Harrison, Kay, Dunkley, Keough, Parker, Woozley(c) , Heard, Palmer-Wilson, Saunders, Spence, England, Sidhu, du Bois, Brant, Flurry, Gavin, Hamblin