Ascot United Veterans v Goring Old Boys Veterans

30/04/2021

Details

DateTimeLeagueSeason
30/04/202119:45West London Veterans Football League2020-2021

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom

Report

That’s entertainment

A really good game to get the first XI back underway. We welcomed Goring to the club for the first time and it was a cracking, full blooded return to football with a good result.

Ascot understandably started a little slowly and were caught in possession in their own third twice in the first 5 minutes with good pressing from Goring leaving little time on the ball. Goring were also winning most of the 50:50’s as Ascot took a moment to get used to the intensity of a match. After 10 minutes, Ascot gave away an unnecessary freekick on the edge of their own box. The free kick was whipped across the box and firmly headed into the roof of the net. Not good marking but it was only 10 minutes into the first competitive game for 24 weeks.

Ascot started to find their feet and a good move involving Tim and Rob got Dave S in behind down the right and his cross was headed over by Sam. Goring broke free as Ascot appealed for offside with a really crooked line. Rich brought him down and should’ve gone but the ref decided not to send him off as it was a friendly. A very lucky keeper.

It took 25 minutes before Ascot really started to get playing and a few chances were created. Sam broke through and when the ball fell to Tim at the edge of the box his shot was well saved. Dave S started to get in down the right and Sam was a clear threat identified by a decent Goring centre back. On 32 minutes Ascot went 2-0 down conceding an appalling goal which even now is difficult to describe so I won’t.

Goring had more attacking threat as they were keeping the ball better than Ascot. Another attack broke down on the edge of the Ascot box and the ball was picked up by Tim. He played in into Ben who took it well with his first touch, held off a strong defender and slid a pass inside to Rob in the centre circle. Rob saw Sam’s excellent run and curled the ball into his path. Sam’s chest touch and finish into the far corner completed a first class move on 37mins.

The game continued in a competitive spirit with tackles flying in and the occasional raised voice.

In the second half you began to see that Ascot might have the legs on Goring and they started to dominate more of the possession. Toby’s corner was narrowly headed wide by Jez and Ascot were playing at a much better tempo. The required intensity was led by Sam who was shutting down every Goring defender at great speed. Rob joined one of these presses and the keeper struggled with the pressure and kicked the ball straight to Rob. Rob showed good awareness and finished clinically with a lovely dink over the flailing keeper 2-2 and Ascot look favourites at this point.

Goring still had the ability to create a threat but they were fewer and were coming from deeper positions. JK, Ed and Woody were managing a young forward line really well. Sam got through on goal following a few quick and incisive passes and his shot just went agonisingly wide of the post. More pressure, this time Tim, and Goring gave the ball away again in their own third. Rocket smashed across a great ball which was deflected narrowly wide.

With around 10 minutes left, Rocket and Tim played in Jez who was not favourite to get to the ball first however this was Jezza and you know the rest. He shrugged off the defender and slotted the ball under the keeper from a narrow angle and as he said himself after the game ‘simply a matter of physics”. Good finish.

It was great to see Rocket (or Tim) take a really quick free kick on 30 yards to Sam who finished well. No flag from the Goring linesman but the ref gave offside.

Goring were given a last chance when they won a free kick wide left. It was a great cross and as soon as it was struck you heard JK scream it was his and he cleared with a magnificent header – real ownership and a great finish to a really good game.

 

Nice to see Doug Buchanan make his Ascot United Vets debut today.

Team : Harrison, Porter, Keough, Corbett, Simpson, Gleave, Standing T (c), Underwood, Saunders, Standing B, McIntyre, du Bois, Woodford, Buchanan, Hynes, Myhan

Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans3

Goring Old Boys Veterans2

Ground

Racecourse Ground 3G 11-a-side
Sunninghill and Ascot, Ascot, Windsor and Maidenhead, South East, England, United Kingdom
Referee to be confirmed