Chelsea Veterans v Ascot United Veterans

Report

It’s all in the head

In tough weather conditions Ascot lost a game they could’ve won. At the start both sides were making small mistakes all over the pitch. More pressure on the ball and perhaps more pressure in the mind plus the tough conditions brought a hesitant start.  Ascot were the first to settle and play the ball on the ground. Toby and Tim moved it quickly and found Rob in space. He slid it into the gap between centre half and full back, Ben raced onto it and hit it early into the far corner 0-1 after 8 minutes.

Chelsea started to get more of the ball but Ascot were breaking with more menace. Rocket flew down the linked with Ben and Tim who square to Rob and he just had the ball taken off his toe before striking it. From Simmo’s corner Ed got up well and headed just wide.

On 22m, a poor touch by the Chelsea centre back on half way and Rob nicked it, drove forward and finished confidently. 0-2.  Chelsea got back in the game immediately with a driving run down the right, player cut in and was brought down by an Ascot defender. A cheap but definate penalty and 1-2.

Ascot were put under a lot of pressure and found it difficult to get out. Frustration grew, quality and concentration dropped but the score stayed that way until half time despite Chelsea having a few chances and also hitting the post.

In the first 15 minutes of the second half Ascot were well on top and creating chances. Free kicks from all over the pitch were just going over the bar and you felt a goal was coming. Ascot also created some great chances with clever play down the flank and through the centre. Rocket beat four players down the left and cut it back for Rob who shot just over. Rob and Ben had a great 1-2 which put Ben in on the keeper but he lost his footing and the chance was gone. Dave T came on and created a great opportunity with a break down the right. He cut into the box and brilliantly delayed the pass until he saw Tim racing into the 6 yard box. Dave found Tim, Tim found a good connection and an outstanding Gordon Banks type save from the keeper. The game could’ve been done.

Chelsea began to break through the middle and Ascot were struggling with that. Nige made a great recovery tackle but after recovering shape well, the ball was squared to a Chelsea midfielder who hit a screamer into the top corner. 2-2 after 60 mins. Ascot nearly went straight back in front but the ball was scrambled clear off the line.

Ascot went on to concede 3 more goals in the next 10 minutes which was disappointing. Chelsea were breaking through the middle and Ascot were struggling to deal with the substitute centre forward who played well. Another looked likely when a free kick hit the inside of the Ascot post and travelled across the line where the striker had an easy tap in. Nige scrambled across the goal and smashed ball and player out of the way. This lifted Ascot out of the slump and they began to threaten again. Rob scored with an excellent free kick but there wasn’t enough time to put Chelsea under pressure.

The game is played with the feet but it is won in the mind.

Team

Harrison, Du Bois, Keough, Gatehouse, Simpson, Corbett, Underwood, T Standing, Saunders, Brant, B Standing, Hamblin, Porter, Thompson(c), Spence