Mark is penalty shoot-out hero in FA Trophy
Ascot ‘keeper Mark Scott saved two penalties in a decisive shoot-out to send his side through to the next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday. With the scores tied at one-all after ninety minutes, the game went straight to penalties where Scott saved visitors Ashford Town (Middx)’s final two efforts in and around Anas Igozouln’s converted effort for Ascot, who won 4-3.
Ashford took an immediate lead in the tie when a seemingly scuffed Brad Sweeney effort trickled past Scott into the back of the net on the two minute mark.
The visitors then had a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 18th minute when Deven Reid-Solanki raced down the right wing to find himself one on one with Mark Scott, however a brilliant Connor Holland interception thwarted the winger.
After the lively start it was a fairly quiet first period with only a long range Ben Harris strike causing any sort of worry for opposition goalkeeper Toby Fisher.
HT: Ascot United 0-1 Ashford Town
Ascot needed to up their game after a poor first half but it was Ashford who once again started the livelier. Scott Day found himself unmarked at the back post but clearly Day didn’t expect the ball to come to him and it ricocheted off the attacker’s knee and over the bar.
At the other end, substitute Taylor Morgan found the finish The Yellas desired after a huge defensive mix-up from the visitors. Fisher raced out of his net to head clear and simultaneously, the centre-back headed back home; the ball fell to the feet of Morgan, who made no mistake, firing through a crowd of players (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk). The last ten minutes of the game was all Ascot, who just couldn’t find a way through.
Chances came thick and fast but a lack of end product in the final third kept the tie in the balance. Igozouln and Harris came very close on multiple occasions but some fantastic defending and some poor finishing meant the tie would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Ascot scored 4 of their 5 penalties courtesy of Sean McCormack, Liam Tack, Morgan and Igozouln, and – backed up by heroics in goal from Scott – the Yellas got over the line in a game which should have been killed off in normal time.
FT: Ascot United 1-1 Ashford Town (pens 4-3)
Star Man: Mark Scott (Ascot United)
Ascot United: Scott, Lock, Holland, Tack, Gater, Edwards, McCormack, Tucker, Harris, Payne-James, Mason. Subs: Swyer, Morgan, Igozouln, Bailey, Fraser