Fraser’s late strike seals 2-1 win
Sean Fraser scored a 90th minute winner as Ascot United came from behind to beat Ashford Town on Saturday. Trailing 1-0 at the break after a poor first half display, the visitors took their chances in the second half, much to the delight of their 80-or-so travelling supporters, which included a welcome and noisy contingent from Solihull.
Postponements elsewhere give chance to steal a march
With over half of the day’s league programme succumbing to the freezing conditions, Ascot knew a win would at least solidify their grip on third place, although hosts Ashford – playing at their temporary Cobham home – had been improved form recently to boost their own quest to move away from the relegation zone.
Anas Igozouln came in for Khalid Simmo in the starting line-up; in-form striker Ben Harris once again starting up top alongside livewire Harvey Harry.
Poor first half sees Ascot behind
In an underwhelming first-half display, Ascot never really got going, and were punished in the 11th minute when Jack Arnold escaped down the left and drilled in a low cross-shot that George Vorster side-footed home first-time.
However, the visitors – whose support was boosted by 35 Solihull Moors fans, also wearing yellow, who had diverted to watch the game after their own game at Aldershot was called off late-on – were gifted a chance to level ten minutes later. Harris did well to nod the ball out to Harry, Harry crossed, and Chad Goulter’s thumping effort deflected agonisingly wide. However, Ashford were penalised for hand ball from the resulting corner, although Igozouln struck a weak penalty just off centre which ‘keeper Marcin Brzozowski dived and held onto.
And, it was only a scarcely believable goal-line clearance from Josh Edwards that denied Ashford a second goal before the break – sticking out a leg to keep out Arnold’s cross range effort with the goal at his mercy – after Vorster had ghosted down the left and picked him out.
Harris stars again in improved second half
There was very little in the way of clear cut chances after the break, although at the midpoint of the half it was Ascot who took their chance.
Harris, an exceptional aerial presence who would go on to play a full ninety minutes, once again won the ball in the air, Aiden Payne-James picked the ball up on the right wing before picking out Harry, and he curled a well disguised effort around Brzozowski and into the bottom left-hand corner with the outside of his boot.
With the visiting Moors’ fans becoming increasingly noisy in favour of Ascot, the players responded, and finished strongly.
With time ticking away, substitute Simmo’s stinging effort from a tight angle forced Brzozowski into an unorthodox save – a corner the result – and when Igozouln swung the ball in, Harris headed onto the inside of the left-hand post (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk) before Fraser tapped home the rebound from on the goal line.
At the other end, Mark Scott had very little to do other than make a decent save from defender Liam Moore’s free kick two minutes from time – an awkward bouncing effort well held – and that would precede another Ascot late show.
The Yellamen remain third, and are now ten points ahead of sixth-placed Hartley Wintney, who have three games in hand.
What’s next for Ascot?
An intriguing county-cup tie at home against step-three Hungerford Town awaits on Tuesday evening, with both sides knowing there is a quarter final carrot in the shape of a home tie with EFL side MK Dons.
Ascot United: Scott, Goulter (SImmo 67’), Jones, Gater (Lock 77’), Fraser, Edwards (Mason 90+2’), Igozouln, Grant, Harry (Butler 80’), Harris, Payne-James. Sub unused: Swyer
Entertainment: 2
Reporter’s Star Man: Ben Harris (Ascot United)
Away fans (estimate): 80 (35 Solihull)