Latimer Road Veterans v Ascot United 2nd X1 Veterans

Report

7 October 2023

 

Latimer Road Vets 1-3 Ascot United IIs

 

Ascot United’s second string continued their fine start to 2023-24 by putting in a rock solid shift at Latimer Road Vets. The hosts had more of the chances, but a weakened set of Yellamen took the strain and, crucially, took their chances when they came along. Andy Lunn, Adam Abusweder and Dave Thompson were the men on target, Eryk Nawala and Jamie Burgess the pivotal figures in keeping an enterprising Latimer Road at bay.

 

Both Latimer Road and Ascot United were promoted in 2022-23. They won one game apiece against each other and both were unbeaten when they met in Week 3 of the current WLVFL campaign. A decent contest was on the cards.

 

The Yellas picked what looked like a strong squad. That squad, however, took a bit of a battering on Saturday morning. Paul Woodford (lurgy) and Andy Gleave (family member under the weather and indeed admitted to hospital) were forced to pull out on the day of the game, whilst Stuart Birkett’s late arrival (delay in the kick off of his son’s match beforehand) put by a further crater-sized hole into the pre-game planning. But, it’s a testament to the squad’s togetherness that they dug in and worked their way over these bumps in the road.

 

Nigel Gatehouse moved into the midfield engine room (and indeed took on the captain’s armband), Adam Abuswederbusily buzzed away to his left and Ben Spence sat in in an unfamiliar right midfield role. At times it wasn’t pretty, but all three got through plenty of yards and made it as difficult as they could for an enterprising Latimer Road side.

 

Behind them Jamie Burgess made his seasonal debut at the back, and he put in a colossal performance leading the defensive line. Ed Du Bois rose to the challenge of dealing with some lively opposition centre-forwards, whilst Darren Lewis did an excellent job of marshalling anyone who strayedleft. Throw in an inspired Eryk Nawala performance in nets and things were coming together.

 

The real difference between the two sides, however, came up top. Latimer Road certainly had chances. Nawala made some excellent saves, Burgess and Du Bois weren’t averse to a last gasp block or tackle and some of the finishing was wasteful.All that contributed to the hosts failing to make the most of what came their way.

 

The Yellas, on the other hand, had far fewer chances. Twice in ten seconds Carl Collins thought he’d scored at one point, but in truth the Latimer Road custodian didn’t have a great deal to do. The key thing was that when the Yellas did find themselves in positions where they could make a difference, they did just that.

 

With the score still goalless and half-time looming large, Ben Spence took a quick throw in to Andy Lunn. The big striker held off the defender, let the ball bounce up before then smashing it – with his right foot – across the keeper into the top corner. It really was quite some strike.

 

Stuart Birkett came on at the break and his direct running offered the Yellas more of an outlet down the right. It was nonetheless Latimer who scored next, a dozing Ascot letting a cross come in for the centre-forward to nod nicely home.

 

It was there that the visitors’ resilience really kicked in. Chris Watney offered options down the left and it was indeed from a corner down that side that Ascot scored their second goal of the day. A kerfuffle in the box saw the ball drop to Adam Abusweder and he made no mistake, pinging the ball nicely into the bottom corner. A decent strike.

 

Latimer inevitably came back. They had a goal disallowed for off side and went full on three up front. Ascot held firm and indeed rung the changes; Dave Thompson and Jez Myhancoming on up front for the magnificent Lunn and the ever-willing Carl Collins.

If there was to be another goal in this game, then the odds were on Latimer Road getting it. But, again, Ascot sucked up the pressure and broke when they could. It was from one of those breaks that Dave Thompson wrestled free, looked the keeper in the eyes, and calmly slotted the ball past him. 3-1 and that really was job done.

 

The win leaves Ascot United three points clear. It’s early days and there’s plenty of football to played in this season yet, but the Yellas really couldn’t have started any better. They’ll look to carry their good form on when they welcome Old Tiffs to the Racecourse on Friday 13th October.

 

Team. Eryk Nawala, Dan Hough, Darren Lewis, Jamie Burgess, Ed Du Bois, Nigel Gatehouse (c), Adam Abusweder, Ben Spence, Carl Collins, Andy Lunn, Chris Watney.

Subs. Jez Myhan, Dave Thompson and Stuart Birkett

Goals. Andy Lunn, Adam Abusweder and Dave Thompson