MMB Veterans v Ascot United 1st XI Veterans

Report

League underway and a little undercooked

Ascot did really well to win this fixture. After such a disrupted pre-season this was the first 90 minutes for most of the players and it was a very hot day. MMB were wonderful hosts and the beers and pizza’s afterwards were well received and it was nice to have a gossip about other teams.

In the first 3 minutes, JK and Neil flattened their opponents and it felt good to be back at it. Play was a little stilted as everyone found their touch and focus. A couple of chances went begging early on but with MMB sitting deep Ascot just needed to keep the play as wide as possible. On 15 minutes Andy played out from an MMB attack and found Rob in loads of space. Rob played a great ball to Jamie in acres of space wide on the right, his beautifully clipped ball was headed in by Ben Standing at the far post for an excellent opener. Jamie was creating a lot of opportunity for Ascot showing his versatility as a defender and a winger. Five minutes later Rob showed a quick mind as the ball hit the ref. Dropped it and ran at the opposition. A little one two with Ben (or a deflection off the defender) and Rob was 1 on 1 with the keeper. 2-0. Five minutes before half time and again Jamie was in space. He beat his defender and played in Ben St who cut the ball back for Rob to tuck away in the corner 3-0 at half time.

MMB would never give up and the next goal was going to be very important. Ascot had the first chance with Ben St hitting the bar and on 51minutes the game could’ve turned however a powerful MMB shot was tipped round the post by Rich. An excellent and important save. Ben Sp was providing a much better platform in the second half. Making space to receive and retain possession and this allowed Ascot more control. Following a reasonable period of control Rob slipped the ball into Gleavy’s path and he finished low into the corner from about 20 yards (which turned out to be our most popular mode of scoring in the second half). A really nice piece of play between Simmo and Ben Sp gave Rob the chance to complete his hattrick. Abbas had switched from right to left and was really stretching MMB across the pitch and creating a lot more space centrally. He created the next goal and let’s call it a no look pass to start the move and then a clever inside ball to Chris who finished it with a low shot from 20 yards into the corner

MMB rolled their sleeves up and started to look very dangerous on the break. One certain goal was stopped with an excellent block by Jamie. On 76 mins a little bit of uncertainty in the Ascot box and MMB got the goal they deserved which they followed up with a 2^nd with a lovely break and finish 2-6 with 10 minutes left.

Ascot managed to finally get control back with some patient play in possession and better ball retention. With 5 minutes to go Chris decided he would copy Gleavy again and smashed in another low one from 20 yards.

An encouraging start, a very hot day and a fit and happy squad having some beer and pizza’s after the game

Saturday football is great. More people should try it

Team : Harrison, Du Bois, Keough, Burgess, Gleave (c), Simpson, Underwood, Burgess, Saunders, Spence, Standing, Hussain, Tredwell