Ascot United 1st XI Veterans vs Latimer Road Veterans

A decent game this. Ultimately, Ascot continued their strong recent form and ran out deserved winners. But Latimer Rd certainly played their part, and can count themselves unfortunate not to have notched at least a couple. Their performance tonight belied their bottom of the table with just 1 point position; they were well organised, hard to penetrate and a threat on the break.

After 5 minutes, it looked like Ascot might have a relatively comfortable evening – they had started the stronger and took the lead when Davies intercepted a wayward pass and fed Moroney to open the scoring. Surely more would follow……

Not the case. Ascot huffed and puffed but Latimer Rd held firm, and themselves started to grow in the game. Neither team particularly created much, with both keepers required to make the odd save, but not really tested. 1-0 at half time.

Faster ball movement and attacking the low block with a dribble to draw defenders were the words at half time, and Ascot responded superbly. Right from the kick off they were not just on the front foot, but were creating chances and snapping into tackles. Latimer Rd had begun to struggle.

On 55 minutes, the lead doubled. Lyons fed Johnson, who drove forward and fed a defence splitting pass to Moroney, who ran on and grabbed his second.

At this point, the next goal felt important; Ascot needed it to kill the game. On 79 minutes they got it. A high press from Everest forced a ricochet, that Standing then won in the tackle. The loose ball was picked up by Moroney, who returned the favour to provide Davies with the chance he was not going to miss. 3-0. Finally some comfort.

Ascot continued to probe but also took the sting out of the game with patient possession. They rounded off the night with a 4th, the hattrick for Moroney – a tap in following excellent work from Johnson and Birkett, the latter hitting a shot that the keeper could only parry.

4-0 it ended and a good 3pts secured.

Onto Chelsea at home on the 30th.