TADLEY PREVIEW + PROGRAMME / YOUTH GO FOR TITLE

Ascot United welcome Tadley Calleva to The Racecourse on Saturday (3pm) for a Combined Counties League Premier Division clash. Tickets are here, with free entry for kids on Non-League Day! A matchday programme, packed with photos from the midweek win over Wycombe Wanderers, is online here.

But before we get into that, the biggest game is arguably Monday’s Allied Under 18’s title-deciding clash at Fleet Spurs (7.45pm). With Ascot needing a win to take the title, Josh Nice and his team are hoping for a bumper travelling support to Southwood Playing Fields, GU14 0ST, just a stone’s throw from junction 4a of the M3. Fleet Spurs have already finished bottom of the league, but to their credit have only lost one match over 90 minutes in five games played since the start of 2022, so the Young Yellamen know they can’t just turn up and expect to win.

Back to the Yellamen, and after a club-record 1,267 jammed into the ground on Tuesday we’re hoping a few of them return for Saturday’s fixture. Ascot actually haven’t scored in open play in their last four games – specifically 431 minutes when they netted 19 minutes into their 1-1 draw with Virginia Water on 5^th March – something they will need to address against an improving Tadley side. The Yellamen have already beaten the visitors twice on their turf this season – 5-1 and 4-1 in the league and FA vase – but since then “Tadders” have clawed their way from the bottom and now have a realistic chance of finishing 8^th; the only defeat they’ve suffered in nine games since Christmas was against champions Hanworth Villa and they are scoring goals for fun with 14 in their last four.

Finally, remember there are no Ladies’ games this weekend after the First Team finished their campaign and The Reserves are in league cup action next weekend.

Saturday’s fixture list is below:

Pictured: THAT save! (shooting-stars.co.uk)