Chelsea Veterans v Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans

A good game this between two decent sides. In the grand scheme of things, 3pts meant more to the home side who maintained their perfect record. Sadly for Ascot, aspirations of a league title left the building a while back; goals now are to pick up sufficient points to stay in the top division, continue to play in the manner they have all season and successfully defend their cup win. And with their first cup game next Saturday, much of today’s team management was geared to being as well prepared for the next game as is possible.

Chelsea made the better start and took a deserved lead from a well constructed move. Ascot’s response was excellent; they settled into their rhythm, dominated the ball and looked the side most likely. They rightly drew level with a well worked goal of their own, a Tanfield cross flicked on by Munns, for Davies to slam home across the keeper.

The goal jolted Chelsea back into action and mysteriously unsettled Ascot, a sudden hectic disposition impacting their play. This combination led to Chelsea regaining the lead, a goal that Ascot should have defended better. Again though, their response was impressive, with an equaliser from Everest from a Davies cross. 2-2 at half time – the same scoreline in the equivalent fixture last season. No way this was ending in the same way though, Ascot have learnt too much for that in the past 12mths.

The second half became more disjointed, unsurprising for the first game back after a 3 week break. Ascot also rang the changes – 9 in all – and no matter the quality of replacement (all excellent footballers that also did well when entering the fray), the quantity of changes were bound to disrupt the excellent rhythm that Ascot had established in the first 45 minutes.

Making only a handful of changes, Chelsea managed the first 20mins of the second half better than Ascot and regained the lead, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Ascot were caught in possession and Chelsea countered. In attempting to defend the attack, Ascot’s defence forced the ball to ricochet around for the Chelsea player to seemingly punch the ball to a teammate who was adjudged offside. The referee ignored the flag from Everest, and Chelsea punished. 3-2.

The flag remained in the air for a good 3 minutes after the goal but at no point did the referee do as much as acknowledge the linesman, let alone engage in a conversation with him. At the final whistle, Tomlinson enquired as to why the referee had been unwilling to even speak to the linesman; his reply, “it wasn’t handball or offside, so there was no need. I would have just been given stick.” The irony – not speaking to him lead to potentially more stick than would have been the case.

After the delayed restart, Ascot were rattled and Chelsea took advantage with another well worked goal to go 4-2 up.

Ascot gathered themselves. With 15 minutes left, they were not out of it but needed to score next. Chelsea could sense the shift and uncharacteristically kept giving the ball back to Ascot. The away team profited, Birkett latching onto an excellent pass from Ferdinand, to cut it back for Sykes to lift the ball to the far post, the cross come shot arching over the keeper for 4-3.

Ascot were ascendant and then grabbed the equaliser, Davies pulling the ball back for Papili to knock home – hold on; offside. Ascot protested that Papili was behind the ball as it was pulled back; this time the referee did speak to the linesman, offside the outcome.

Ascot were undeterred and went again, certain there would be another chance. Sure enough there was, again to Papili, this time with his back to goal. He rolled the defender superbly and hit a shot on the turn, only for the keeper to make an excellent save.

Not to be.

4-3 it ended. Lots to be pleased with and all involved got good minutes in readiness for next Saturday. Chelsea again showed that they are experts at punishing mistakes and making the best of the possession they have. However, even in defeat, Ascot unsettled their hosts and proved they are still a force to be reckoned with this season.