Yellamen held to one-all draw in table-topping clash
Ascot United were pegged back at the death as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Reading City in Tuesday night’s top-of-the-table clash. In a tepid affair, it looked as if Ascot’s Alfie Grant had pinched all three points with a thunderbolt eight minutes from time, only for City’s Dan Davis to rescue a point at the near post in added time.
Something had to give between the unbeaten league leaders Reading and an Ascot side with a 100% away league record; The Yellamen two points below The Cityzens but with a game in hand.
The first half was an instantly unforgettable affair with the ball spending as much time in the air as on the ground in the first twenty minutes; the visitors easily snuffing out the threat posed by Eddie Lazarczuk’s long throw-ins.
When Reading did threaten midway through the half Josh Baines could only slice wide, although Ascot would immediately enjoy a decent spell albeit with no end product. And, their own and only chance of the first half came from Calam Gallimore’s flashing header from Harry Grant’s 42nd minute corner, which sailed wide.
The second half was equally short on chances until Tyler D’Cruz slipped in Joel Vallentin who thumped wide midway through the half for Reading, but Ascot were patient and rung the changes as they sought a breakthrough.
And, so it came – a deep free kick from Sean McCormack was flicked on by captain Louis Bouwers for Grant, who swivelled and cracked an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of the net to light up an otherwise drab affair.
But the hosts had a record to preserve, and so they did as Davies was on hand at the near post merely seconds into injury time to salvage a point, which they celebrated as if it was a victory.
But there is still plenty of football to play in an enthralling campaign.
Ascot United: Ashdown, Gerrard (Lalustani 66’), Ajanlekoko, Bouwers, Tucker, McCormack (Lock 89’), H. Grant, Matthew (Mealing 72’), Welch (August 72’), Gallimore (Walters 78’), A. Grant.
