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

Report

25 February 2023

Bank of England Vets 2-1 Ascot United Vets

Bank of England gave their survival hopes a big boost by holding off Ascot United at the BoE Sports Ground in Roehampton. Ascot United were far from being at their best, but they did still chuck the veritable kitchen sink at their hosts in the second half – all to no avail.

There are days when it just doesn’t work out. Saturday 25 February was one of those days for the Ascot United Vets’1sts. There was plenty of huff, no small amount of puff, but ultimately the Yellas just couldn’t break a resilient Bank of England down.

Not that things started out that way. Ben Standing held the ball up well, Garyth Brant looked lively on the right and Sam McIntyre appeared to be in wrecking-ball mood up top. It subsequently came as no real surprise when McIntrye caused something to happen. He danced round the keeper and forcedthe BoE custodian into bringing him down. Referee Matt Cannon had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Toby Underwood stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner.

The Bank, however, responded. The Egyptian strike duo of Ali and Farouk Ampou El Ela were proving to be something of a handful and a series of long balls also began causing the Ascot backline difficulties. It subsequently wasn’t long before Farouk managed to race away and bring the scores level. Bad soon went to worse for Ascot as Dan Ball put the Bank ahead from a poorly defended free kick.

Gaffer Dave Good had some clear words to say at half-time; sort yourselves out, games needed to be upped. In terms of possession, Ascot certainly had more of it in the second period. And, as time wore on they got ever closer to drawing level. The Bank keeper made a number of smart saves, chances were missed from more or less every corner of the 18 yard box and indeed from right under the crossbar. The goal just wouldn’t come.

To be fair, the Bank had their chances, too. Neil Corbett did a valiant job of stemming the flow down the left and Stu Birkett added a bit of zest in the middle, but that didn’t prevent BoE from going close on a number of occasions. Several times they saw a shot go agonisingly wide or indeed stand in keeper Jon Keough pull out a decent save. Respect due to Keough for donning the gloves and doing an admirable job.

For the last 25 minutes Ascot opted to go 3-4-3, signalling that it was time to hurl yet more heavy weaponry forward. Ascot were still clunky in possession, disjointed at times and generally not at their best … but they certainly gave it all they had as time ticked down.

It wasn’t, however, meant to be. The Bank held on and Ascot suffered their first reverse to any side that wasn’t Chelsea Vets all campaign. The Yellas won’t, however, have to wait long to get back in the saddle. Next week they travel to struggling Kew Park Rangers. Time to get back to winning ways.

Team: Jon Keough, Dan Hough, Neil Corbett, Mike Tomlinson, Chris Ferdinand, Andy Gleave, Toby Underwood, Garyth Brant, Stuart Tanfield, Sam McIntyre, Ben Standing.

Subs: Adam Abusweder, Ben Spence, Leon Palmer-Wilson, Stuart Birkett.

Goals: Toby Underwood (pen).