Late own goal digs Yellamen out of Moles’ hole
Debutant Liam Tack scored two and had a huge hand in his side’s winner as Ascot United left it late to beat neighbours Binfield in Friday night’s league encounter under the lights. Tack opened the scoring and then levelled it after Binfield had turned the match on its head, before an own goal following his 89th minute strike sealed a comeback win.
Harris and Tack to put Ascot back on track?
The Yellamen announced the high-profile signings of Ben Harris and Tack prior to kick off. Harris, a striker who needed little introduction to the yellow-and-blue faithful, bagged seven goals in seven games during his first a stint with Ascot back in 2017-18; one which would ultimately galvanise a squad desperately struggling at the time after returning to the UK from top-flight football in New Zealand. Tack, meanwhile, arrived with an equally impressive CV having featured alongside Harris at Bracknell Town this season; both had also played in The Robins’ narrow FA Cup defeat at EFL side Cambridge United just two months earlier.
Yellamen look to steal a march with rivals on the road
Ascot were looking to end a disappointing run of just one win in six and put points on the board ahead of a Saturday programme where many of their fellow lower-half teams were on the road; Met Police, Ashford, Guernsey and Corinthian Casuals all with tricky away days less than 24 hours later.
Forest Road derby often tight and no different on the night
The first half transpired into a tight affair, although it initially looked otherwise when Ascot took the lead after just eleven minutes. Ben Harris and Tack were involved at either end of the move as the former laid the ball off for Sean McCormack, he whipped in a cross that Ollie Harris flicked on, and Tack bundled both the ball and himself into the back of the net from close range.
Tyler turns the tables as Binfield press Cruz control
But this was a different, more resolute Binfield side who battled hard – and duly equalised when Shimron Eaton sat two Ascot defenders down and whipped in a cross that Tyler D’Cruz glanced home at the far post just eight minutes after going behind.
Home ‘keeper Killian Barrett did well with a ball over the top from opposite number Hugo Sobte and Dan Bailey’s important block thwarted Dontaye Whittaker at the other end, but it was otherwise quiet as the half ended all square.
After both Harrises had threatened for Ascot early in the second half, Binfield took the lead when Sobte failed to come for a deep cross before D’Cruz nonchalantly rolled the ball into the net at the near post; the travelling faithful somewhat shell-shocked at this point.
Yellamen find a way – with a helping foot
Ollie Harris then led the charge with a wonderful dipping volley on the turn that brought a stunning save out of Barrett before manager Jamie Tompkins rang the changes; Ben Harris creditably giving 66 minutes off a season of bit-parts.
Ollie Harris then threatened again from a tight angle albeit his heavy touch from Harry Laflin’s back-heel had made the chance more improbable as Barrett saved, but the second of two chances for Dan Bailey yielded a 72nd minute corner that landed for Tack, who swivelled and squirmed a rising left-footed effort into the roof of the net to level it up (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk).
At the other end, Sobte earnt his corn with a fine save to tip Ben Stallard’s thunderous free-kick onto the woodwork and over with five minutes to go, but it was Ascot who won it late-on when McCormack dinked the ball over for Tack, Tack’s shot was saved by Barrett, and defender Jack Matton couldn’t react quick enough to adjust his feet as he diverted the rebound into his own net.
The Yellamen saw out six minutes of injury time with McCormack’s important block averting one last sniff of Binfield danger three minutes in, but The Yellamen held on to the delight of their 70-or-so travelling supporters.
What’s next for Ascot?
If the weather holds out then maybe, just maybe, the Yellamen will finally travel to Hartley Wintney on Tuesday evening. Third time lucky maybe, but the big freeze is coming!
Ascot United: Sobte, Lock, Lalustani (Laflin 66’), Goulter, Bailey, Edwards, McCormack, H. Grant, B. Harris (Ellis 66’), Tack, O. Harris (Lahtinen-Kalsi 90+1’). Subs unused: Welch, C. Morgan
Entertainment: 2
Reporter’s Star Man: Liam Tack (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 70
