Ben and Tay make it a Yelladay!
Ben Harris and Taylor Morgan were on target for Ascot United as they held on to beat – and leapfrog – Raynes Park Vale on Saturday. Harris struck early before ‘Vale levelled, but having seen Josh Edwards sent off in the second half, substitute Morgan popped up with a winner to move Ascot up to sixth, and one point off third place.
The win also secured a fifth successive win for Ascot in all competitions, but this was arguably the toughest against a play-off chasing Raynes Park Vale Side that had won all three previous league matches against The Yellamen 3-2.
Harry, Harry and Harris link up early; Harvey’s the Cream
Harris opened the scoring for The Yellas in the fifth minute. Harvey Harry drove positively at the visiting defence before neatly sliding Harry Grant in behind, Grant pulled the ball back into a great area and Harris was there to tap home.
Fifteen minutes in and the hosts nearly levelled; Jordan Gallagher’s effort whistling wide of Mark Scott’s far post. Shortly after, Gallagher was on hand to deliver a beautiful pass across the face of goal, however to the relief of Ascot, not one attacker predicted the pass and the attack was halted.
The chances kept coming for both sides, however ‘Vale having the better; Grant sloppily gave the ball away but Scott produced a fantastic save to keep the hosts out.
Connor Holland had a great chance to double the Ascot lead when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a superb ball down the wing, but Bishop raced out of his goal and made a comfortable diving save to his left.
However, Kyen Nicholas equalised on the brink of half-time when, after holding off Edwards, he calmly slotted home past a helpless Scott. Minutes later, the hosts should have taken the lead, only to be denied by an unbelievable last ditch block by Joe Gater which resulted in a corner for the hosts.
Daniel Hector should also have given his team a 2-1 lead with the last kick of the half; Hector blazing a wild strike over from close range after The Yellas failed to clear their lines following a corner.
Bish-bash-bosh, despite bye-bye Josh
Ascot, who faced relentless pressure in the first half looked to be in a huge amount of trouble when defender Edwards received a red card only 11 minutes into the half for dissent. Raynes Park then looked comfortable, and it looked as if they were going to run riot as they piled on the pressure, but Ascot had other ideas.
Taylor Morgan, who had just been introduced into the game, scored a beautiful goal to retake the lead. After being played in behind the home defence, Morgan took the ball around Bishop and fired into the back of the net through what seemed to be from an impossible angle to give his side a 65th-minute lead.
Ten-Man Ascot were forced to sit back for the final 25 minutes of the game against a ‘Vale side who looked composed and content with keeping possession. Gallagher continued to cause problems, delivering some brilliant crosses, but which somehow were not met by his side’s heads.
Khalid Simmo had one of Ascot’s only chances of the half after the earlier Morgan goal, but Simmo fired wide after some fantastic play from Oliver Lahtinen-Kalsi.
Testing, testing, 2-1, 2-1, 2-1!
The Yellas defended for their lives for the duration of the half and faced unbelievable amounts of pressure during the last ten minutes. After some fantastic hold up play and game management, the referee blew the final whistle. This was their third 2-1 win on the spin, and long may it continue!
What’s next for Ascot?
Rayners Lane will be the visitors to The ‘Course next weekend as JT’s men seek a super sixth on the spin.
Ascot United: Scott, Goulter, Jones, Edwards, Grant (Simmo 50’), Fraser, Gater, McCormack (Butler 66’), Harry (Lahtinen-Kalsi 66’), Harris (Morgan 63’), Holland. Sub unused: Payne-James
Entertainment: 4/5
Star Man: Chad Goulter