Kew Park Rangers Veterans v Ascot United 1st X1 Veterans

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Ian’s first and possible not last hattrick for the Vets

Same place, same time as the last away game but a very different performance. Kew were strong and powerful and the game was still in the balance when KPR brought is back to 4-2 in the 67^th minute but in the a tiring KPR shipped three goals in the last 20 minutes.

KPR started the game very brightly and looked to be a very decent outfit. Ascot also got the ball moving quickly and it had all the makings of a decent game. It was.

Ascot took an early lead on 5 minutes with Ferds showing a lot of composure at the back dealing with a cross field ball. He brought it under his spell and clipped a nice ball into Mikey. Ian was already on the move and Mikey could see that and played it over the defender. Ian’s first touch was sublime and he raced on the finish calmly into the corner.

Ascot started to take control of possession and dominate the game. The ball wasn’t spending much time in the Ascot half and when it threatened to, there was Jeff and Matt dealing with it all very comfortably. Jeff has settled in well back at Ascot and is showing himself to be a great asset to the squad.  On 15 minutes one of the best moves of the game saw Stu and Mikey linking up well on the right side. Mikey was seeing the gaps and played into Adam’s feet. He slipped it to Ian, who returned the favour with a lovely slight touch round the corner, Adam ripped it with his left foot and it just cleared the bar.

Ascot won a series of corners and on consecutive occasions Tim put in great in-swinging crosses which Matt almost connected with. Another move another corner and this time Matt connected powerfully to head in a second for Ascot. Possibly the first yellow tough mudder headband assist. The ball seemed to spring off the spungy Fosteresque headband. 0-2 after 20 minutes.

Anthony was another new player proving to be an asset to the squad. He was linking play nicely on the left hand side. He spun his defender beautifully and played down the line to a racing Adam who squared to Ian and his connection just went wide. There was definitely a real threat with this Ascot attack. On 26 minutes the keeper kicks from his hands and Anthony rises like a salmon and heads it powerfully forward into the path of Adam in a similar area. He clipped this one in and Ian was perfectly on hand to nod in the third. Clinical.

KPR were still playing well and getting forward from time to time. Dwaine was not massively troubled in goal and his distribution to the outfield players was excellent. On 35 minutes, Ascot conceded a free kick. Ball was clipped in and powerfully headed home from about 8 yards. Good header and KPR spirits buoyed. On more great chance before half time on the 40^th minute when Adam spun his marker and played Mikey through and he slipped it to Ian but the keeper managed to get one hand on the shot to push it round for a corner.

A good first half and could have been done but KPR working hard to stay in it. HT 1-3

Although Ascot had dominated the game, it seemed like the next goal might be important. Ascot got it in the first minute of the half. Nuts on for Tim, clipped a lovely ball picking out Adam’s bending run. Ball pulled back and Mikey hammered into the roof of the net. 1-4

KPR drove forward and pushed Ascot back a little. For a moment, Ascot lost a but of shape and control of the central area. KPR were encouraged and pressed on. On 67 minutes a KPR corner was whipped in and hammered home with another strong header. 2-4 and their tails were up. Ascot’s first half dominance now started to have the desired effect on the legs of the KPR players and they fought hard to get that third goal but you could see they were running out of gas. Nuts jinked through them on the right hand side, glided into the box and looked to pass it into the far corner. A great stretch from the KPR keeper stopped a delightful dribble and finish.

Then it was Ascot on the break creating chaos. Three goals in the last 20 minutes finished the game off. Similar to an earlier goal, the keepers clearance was headed back by Tommo and Ian was away and lifted the ball over the keeper for 2-5 on 75 minutes. Nuts then crashed one in from 30 yards but had to come off with a thigh injury. Then a final nice move started with a 60 yard sprint back by Tanners to win the ball. Glenn set up the move. Phil then played in Ian who set Adam for a well deserved goal.

Team

Bryan, Ferdinand, Newall, Corbett, Lamb, Lewis, Standing (T), Tanfield, Moroney, Davies, Everest, Tomlinson, Johnson, White, Nutter