Bank of England AFC Veterans v Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans

Report

Ascot 1st XI travelled to BOE on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Due to late arrivals, there had to be a slight adjustment to the starting lineup. This meant JK coming in at CB, he was making his comeback after a long term hip injury, lay off, and Ferdi, who moved to right back took the reigns today due to the unavailability on manager Tommo. This did not stop Ascot from taking an early foothold in the game and creating early opportunities.  Ascot had to wait until the 15 minute when goalkeeper Dwaine pinged an Ederson like ball into the path of JB who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the far corner 1-0 Ascot . Ascot now starting to dominate proceedings and were unlucky not to make it 2 after good work from Adam M and fenners whom the latter whipped a nice cross into the 6 yard box which the outstanding Ben Standing who worked the line well got a touch but his shot went agonisingly wide.This did not deter Ascot and soon enough they did make it 2 nil in the 25 minute after good play between Adam and Ferdi down the right allowed Ben Standing to poke the ball home. Bank of England tried to get back into the game but we’re being marshalled by the  the yellow men back 4. Ascot then nearly made it 3 after a BOE player deliberately handballed and the freekick was taken by Toby who found Loz and his header just went wide. 3 mins later the same BOE player handballed again where the referee reached for his pocket to show him red card but to Ascots amazement he gave him the benefit of the doubt. This then sparked Ascot again after good play down the right hand side fenners cuts inside on that cultured left foot and let’s off a thunderous drive which looked destined for the back of the net but rocked the underside of the crossbar and then fell to a BOE player to clear his lines. Ascot looked like they were going to go in at half time with a well deserved 2 nil lead but then BOE had a breakaway in the final 30 seconds of the first half to half the deficit a ball was played in at the back stick which looked like Ascot would deal with but the BOE player had other ideas and was allowed to beat his man and get his shot off which Dwaine palmed out but the ball  dropped to the same player 2 yards out and was able to fire home .

Half time 2-1

Ferdi at half time gathered the troops and told them to press high and  again dominate proceedings and get the all important next goal this is exactly what happened after 55 mins the ball was won in midfield and was threaded through to JB  who held off his defender to slot home 3-1. BOE then had other ideas and started to win a lot of set pieces which was how there second goal come about . After 60 mins they won a throwin which was launched into the Ascot box which tbf Ascot was winning all the duels with Loz marshalling the boys. After winning the first header the ball fell to a BOE player who shot and as JK went to close him down with his outstetched body the ball was deemed to have struck his arm harsh maybe, Referee points to spot BOE make no mistake from the spot sending the keeper wrong way 3-2.  In the 65th minute Ascot again got that 2 goal cushion after great work from Adam M and JB the ball was squared across the box where Ben Standing was free to get his second 4-2 This then was the first change of the game chris Watney replacing JB on the left. In the 70th minute BOE managed to pull another goal back Ascot were squeezing high and a ball was played through for the striker to break the offside trap and hit a shot from edge of box giving dwain no chance 4-3. This prompted Ferdi to make another Change replacing Toby who had a good game in midfield again after coming back from a long term hip injury Mano on. Ascot had a few more chances to increase there lead first coming when Ben chased a ball into the channel which forced the player to go home to his keeper who decided to pick it up free kick awarded just outside the 6 yard box . Fenners rolls to Adam M who blazers over the bar was it Tanners No. Again soon after the ever willing Adam M broke the lines and was  brought down while clean through on goal Ascot called for a straight red but again referee was lenient and showed a yellow.Upsteps Fenners but unfortunately another one over the bar. Then in the 80th minute Ascot make another change Adam A replacing the hardworking Stuart Birkett in midfield . But in the 84 minute it is BOE who get the next goal again they win a throwin and Ascot knew whats coming but again deal with the first ball and this time the second but then the ball is turned over and BOE find themselves with space to get a cross into the box which is cleared to 20 yards out where it falls to a BOE player who hits it and has Ferdi closes him down it deflects off his leg and wrong foots Dwaine in the Ascot goal 4-4 . Last roll of the dice with time ticking Ferdi replaced himself with Carl Collins and tells Adam M to go play alongside Ben to find the all important winner and there it happens after good play down the left it falls to chris Watney who whips in a delightful cross which finds Ben who connects with a decent header which the BOE keeper does well to palm out buy it falls to our own Nicky Butt Adam A who follows in round the back to stab home like the predatory Gary Lineker. He turns around and celebrates like he has just been released from Wandsworth prison. 5-4 was there to be another twist . BOE  who kept going again managed to win another set piece after Neil won a challenge but unfortunately come out worse and had to be replaced which looks like an ankle injury on steps Ferdi with fenners slotting in at left back . Speedy recovery Rocket…. BOE had the chance to cause havoc in the Ascot box but from the resulting long throw Adam A threw himself in front of a shot and Ascot were able to clear. Final whistle rings out and it’s 3 Pts  to Ascot . On to the next .