Football returns this Saturday after a 5-week break as Ascot United made the short journey to the Runnymede Stadium (TW20 8XD) for a Combined Counties League clash with Egham Town (3pm). Entry is pay-on-the-gate, with QR Code scanning in place for track and trace. In line with current regulations the Club House and Tea Bar will not be open and Egham are not providing match day refreshments or Hospitality.
It remains to be seen who will be rested and who will be rusty – maybe a combination of the both – but manager Jamie Tompkins is hoping the ‘virtual’ fitness work striker Ian Davies has led over the lockdown will pay dividends. Indeed, Davies’ final fitness session a couple of weeks ago was attended by over 50 players from the men’s and women’s sections. Tompkins is also excited to report a couple of new faces are returning to the squad as his side looks to erase the memories of a stuttering league form heading into the blackout period; The Yellamen having taken nine points from their last eighteen available.
Thirteenth-placed Egham haven’t fared much better recently and have lost all three home league matches, although they succeeded where Ascot failed in winning at Camberley, sandwiched between their only two other league wins at Molesey and Knaphill.
Away from the first team, the Allied Under 18s will return to action next week (fixtures updated online) with Westfield visiting The Racecourse on Tuesday 8th December, but before that the Ascot United Ladies return to action on Sunday with a trip to Newbury (2pm) whereas Ascot United Ladies Reserves will entertain Guildford Ladies Saints at the same time (venue listed as Jubilee Recreation Ground).
As published on Wednesday, the Racecourse was re-opened [from Wednesday 2nd December] for training and matches. Unfortunately we are unable to open the cafe at the moment but hope this will change shortly. Please continue to sign in using the NHS Track and Trace app, use the hand sanitiser around the site and keep 2 metres apart. The Latest guidelines from the FA have been published and can be found here
Stay Safe, and Keep it Yellow and Blue!