Horndean v Ascot United Men

Report

ASCOT DIG DEEP TO BEAT HORNDEAN ON THE ROAD

 

Gater’s greater in rock-solid display

 

Joe Gater was in inspired form for Ascot United as they won 3-2 at Horndean on Tuesday evening. The big defender dealt with every aerial assault the hosts could threaten him with, as Ascot scored early goals in each half before surviving an ambush at the death to take all three points back from Hampshire.

 

Deans and Yellas re-acquainted in league clash

Both sides had met in last season’s FA Trophy when they were different sections of the regional Isthmian League South, although the hosts’ lateral move to the South Central division meant they were now league rivals.

 

Ascot had clung on to win that encounter having raced into a 3-0 lead only to be pegged back to 3-2, and this season both sides boasted almost identical records going into the clash. Both were mid table, both had the same number of points, but Horndean were above Ascot by virtue of a slightly better goal difference.

 

Another fast start yields reward for Yellaman

In a lighting fast start, Ascot carved out a fifth minute lead. Anas Igozouln led the break down the left wing, fed the ball to Taylor Morgan, and Morgan laid the ball off to the oncoming Connor Holland who ran onto it and drilled low into the bottom right.

 

Home ‘keeper Cameron Scott – namesake of his opposite number – stood up well to deny Holland a second goal barely a minute later, although The Deans came back into it kicking up the slope and Gater’s brave block – throwing himself in front of Tommy Scutt’s effort – averted danger in the 11^th minute.

 

Deans are eventually rewarded

Billy Allcock should have done better than sky his effort over a gaping target form Harvey Rew’s pass in the 18^th minute, before Sean McCormack’s brilliant goal-line block denied Rew two minutes later.

 

But when Sean Fraser had made a mess of his attempted clearance four minutes before the break, Zack Willett pounced on the afters to slot low past Mark Scott and draw the hosts level.

 

Taylor Morgan’s ill-timed tackle just before the break earnt himself a yellow card – it might have been worse – but after the obligatory handbags, order was restored and The Yellamen prepared for their own spell kicking up the slope.

 

Second half – copy paste

Incredibly, the Yellamen repeated their first half trick-and-some as they regained the lead with just thirty seconds on the clock. This time, McCormack delivered a wicked, bouncing cross upon which Igozouln had gambled to race in at the far post, before cracking an effort through Scott’s legs and into the net.

 

Igozouln would shortly hobble off injured, although in Aiden Payne-James they had a fresh pair of legs to torment their hosts.

 

Ascot then created daylight with a third goal after 55 minutes. This time, a neat short corner routine ended with McCormack clipping the ball into the six-yard box where Nathan Jones showed enough desire to convert under pressure off his neck; not the cleanest contact, but they all count.

 

Great Scott! The Ascot variety, that is!

The Yellamen managed the game well and Horndean only had Tommy Scutt’s speculative effort from distance that flew wide of the left-hand post to show for their fruitless pursuit, but when Willett slammed home on the volley with five minutes to go to cut the deficit to 3-2, the proverbial kitchen sink and equally axiomatic squeaky rear-end were cued.

 

But throughout the remaining minutes, including five of overages, Ascot stood firm and even when they were threatened it was their own Scott who produced two fantastic saves, including one right at the death, to seal a deserved victory.

 

The travelling squad outnumbered their own supporters in quota; but the five hardy souls behind the goal – backed up by two flags – were duly appreciative of their side’s endeavours at full time.

 

What’s next for Ascot?

Leatherhead are the visitors to The Racecourse this weekend in what promises to be another tough test. The Tanners dismantled previously-unbeaten league leaders Farnham Town last weekend and recorded a double over Ascot last season.

 

Ascot United: Scott, Lock, Jones, Fraser, Gater, Grant, Simmo (Goulter 71’), McCormack, Morgan (Branker 79’), Holland, Igozouln (Payne-James 53’). Sub unused: Swyer

 

Entertainment: 4

Reporter’s Star Man: Joe Gater (Ascot United)

Away fans (estimate): 10