Solitary goal early-on earns Bristol Rovers win
Ascot United Women battled hard against third-placed Bristol Rovers Women only to be beaten 1-0 on Sunday. Despite a spirited and rugged second half performance, the Yellawomen couldn’t find what would have been a deserved response to going a goal down inside three minutes, and were still left looking for their first league win since late September.
Manager Cox bolsters defence against high-flying Rovers
Home manager Andy Cox named centre-backs Katelyn Wort, Erin Huntley and Hattie Kettle in his starting eleven as he moved to five-at-the-back – Libby Doyle and Alice Curr filling the left and right-back positions – and there was a start up top for Anaisa Harney; Beth Lloyd and Dani Dias dropping to the bench.
Rovers had beaten Ascot with a solitary strike in the opening-day reverse fixture, and Ascot really needed something on a day when the remaining four sides in the bottom five were playing each other; failure to take something could realistically see The Yellas drop into the bottom two heading into the Christmas break.
Rovers strike early but Ascot show fight
It looked ominous early-on when the visitors took a third minute lead with what was the only notable play of the half; Abbey Hateley being sent clear down the left and cutting the ball across for Chloe Bassett to tap home.
However, the home side battled hard and Katelyn Wort received a yellow card for a high challenge – epitomising her sides battling quality – but they never really looked like threatening visiting ‘keeper Georgie Hunt.
Rovers arrived with only two substitutes and were forced to make early use of one of them when Meg Jarvis was replaced after just fourteen minutes; Amelie Gould entering the action.
The question ahead of the second half was whether the home side could add to their tally of just one league goal scored at The Racecourse all season.
Ascot dominate pulsating second half
Wort would be sacrificed for Bella Cox knowing that another sniff at the referee would be her last, although in Cox they had a set-piece specialist – and she planted an early corner onto the near post of Hunt.
That corner had arrived as a result of a lightning-fast start from the hosts when Jacey Lane threaded in Kate Fox, whose perfect first touch opened up a clear sight of goal, although Hunt did extremely well in racing from her line to block Fox’s shot with the afters deflected for a corner.
Lane was a constant menace on both flanks and might have had a goal only to drag her shot wide in-and-around claims for a penalty for handball; VAR would certainly have had a look and probably have awarded one.
Rovers were penned in for long periods as Ascot’s high-intensity, physical approach rattled their illustrious visitors, but in defender Charlotte Buxton they had an ace in the pack as she read the game superbly and ensured her side would ultimately keep a clean sheet.
By this time, the home and away fans were getting involved in a feisty, early Christmas Cracker.
There were muted calls for another penalty in added time when substitute Alice Balaam raced through and went to ground via Hunt’s challenge – VAR would have had a look at that one too – and they’ve certainly been given before.
But it wasn’t to be, and results elsewhere kept Ascot two points above the drop zone before they reconvene at league-leaders Moneyfields on January 4th.
As for the man in the middle. Well, he was a naughty boy today, but the good news is that around 55 people have asked Santa to drop a rule book and a nice new pair of spectacles down his chimney.
Merry Christmas, and may all of yours be yellow (with a dash of blue).
Ascot United: Preisner, Curr (Balaam 56’), Doyle, Huntley, Wort (Cox 46’), Kettle, Dearlove (Dias 68’), Fox, Maxted, Harney (Lloyd 85’), Lane. Subs unused: Goulden, Luscombe, Delaney
Entertainment: 4
Reporter’s Star Player: Jacey Lane (Ascot United)
Attendance (estimate): 65